Joy Harrell-Goff
DRT Artistic Director& Playwright
Jennifer Justice (M.F.A., Directing, Boston University, M.Div, Harvard Divinity School)
“You inspire children to live into their best selves – giving them confidence and a voice.” July 2019, DRT Family
"Your creativity, encouragement, professionalism and passion for the theatre has meant a great deal (to our family.)" Kim Gay Alton, Spring 2015
In August 2010, Jennifer Justice founded Durham Family Theatre (now DRT.) An actress, director, storyteller, author, and educator, Jenny’s professional credits include The New Shakespeare Company of San Francisco & The Ends & Means Committee, Boston, MA.
Ms. Jenny worked professionally in Boston, Mass. for 26-years before returning to the south in 2006. In Boston she served on the founding boards of The (International) Women In Theatre Festival and The Three Apples Storytelling Festival. With Storytellers in Concert, she performed in and produced story theatre concerts for adults in Cambridge, Mass. and was named a "Master Storyteller" by the Boston Globe. She has been featured at The National Storytelling Festival, The National Storytelling Conference, The Vermont Storytelling Festival and Pete Seeger’s Hudson River Revival. For 10 years, Jenny toured New England schools as a teaching artist for Young Audiences of Massachusetts. She was an adjunct faculty member for Lesley University for more than 8 years, training teachers to use the arts in curriculum development. In 2006, Jenny received an Arts Can Teach grant from the WANG Center for the Performing Arts in Boston & worked as a Teaching Artist for The Huntington Theatre, Boston. She continues to teach workshops and perform as an actress and storyteller.
Ms. Jenny has recently authored her debut novel, Queen Isabella’s Ruby, the first in the Honor Among Thieves series of adventure novels for middle grade readers. She is currently seeking a literary agent.
DRT music DIRECTOR, VOice studio faculty
Joy Harrell-Goff (B.A., music, NC Central University; MA, music, University of Northern Iowa)
UPAN Founder and Executive Director and Executive Director of BUMP the Triangle, Joy Harrell-Goff is a native of Asheville, NC. Growing up, she was always involved in various community service projects and performances as a result of her musical and dramatic talents. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in music from NC Central University, a Master of Arts in Music from the University of Northern Iowa, a certificate in musical theater and integrated studies from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, NYC, and is certified in music education K-12.
A passionate music educator and performer, Joy has a wide range of experience spanning from communications and media to musical theater. She has appeared on radio, television, and concert stages in the United States, France, and Switzerland as both soloist and collaborative artist. Her repertoire extends from classical art songs and opera to musical theater, jazz, gospel, and R&B. She believes that all artistic expression is a gift from God that has the power to heal and serve all creation. She has made it her purpose to use her creative artistic talents to serve others.
Joy’s diverse experiences as a performer and her passion for the pursuit of the most effective educational practices have culminated in a unique and eclectic approach to teaching musicians and performing artists. Years of working through different musical styles and with students seeking to develop in various genres and disciplines has resulted in what she calls the One Voice For All Theory. She defines this theory as the honest voice within a person that communicates freely both solo and in any ensemble assortment regardless of style.