DESCRIPTIOn
Joy is a machine. Let's power it up together!
Joy Machine is an immersive outdoor music spectacle fueled by the energy of the audience. At its heart is a simple idea: joy is not something we consume — it’s something we create together. In this kinetic musical playground, the audience is not an add-on to the work. They are its engine.
For the first time, Squonk invites the audience onstage into its world of imagination. Some may simply watch. Others may jump in, hands-on. Many will take center stage. Every performance becomes a one-of-a-kind celebration shaped by the people who gather together in the public space to make it happen.
A monumental street puppet is assembled before your eyes, then brought to life through hand cranks and levers operated by many hands at once. A giant drum wall transforms audience members into musicians alongside Squonk’s live band. Whirling acrobatic puppets soar through the air as participants heave ropes from the crowd. In the finale, giant wings wheel and flutter overhead as people work together to power one flight of joy.
Raw, playful, surprising, and gloriously participatory, Joy Machine invites audiences to step out of passive roles and into a shared act of creation. A testament to engagement and community, the show transforms the public space into a place of connection and wonder.
Because joy isn't something we receive alone. It's something we generate together.
Commissioned by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
Created in 2026.
Videos
Coming soon!
Performances
June 5-7, 2026
Three Rivers Arts Festival
Grand opening of Arts Landing
Downtown Pittsburgh, PA
Commissioned by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
June 27, 2026
Boom on the Bridge
Bridgewater, PA
July 2-5, 2026
Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival
Twin Lakes Park
Greensburg, PA
August 9, 2026
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Summer Reading Extravaganza
Oakland, PA
Event: 12-5 pm
Showtime: TBD
August 22-23, 2026
Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival
Cary, NC
September 4, 2026
Washington & Jefferson College
Washington, PA
Showtime: TBD
September 25-26, 2026
Blue Stone Arts & Music Festival
Sandy Springs, GA
October 2-4, 2026
Central Park Performing Arts Center
Largo, FL
October 8-11, 2026
Red River Revel
Shreveport, LA
Downloads
For downloadable publicity photos, contact Jackie Dempsey
Basic Tech Info
Self-contained with our own staging, sound, run crew, & backline
Requiring approximately 50’ x 50’ footprint with 20’ of overhead clearance, & required power
Multiple half-hour shows & backstage tours/workshops are possible each day
ARTISTS
ARTISTIC DIRECTORS
Jackie Dempsey & Steve O’Hearn
BAND
Keyboards & Accordion
Jackie Dempsey
Guitar
David Wallace
Bass
Tony Thomas
Drums
Charlie Kiesling
SPECTACLE PUPPETEERS
Mia Taylor: LEAD
Alan Getto
Michael Martin
Ryleigh Schuetz
Kadey Donitzen
PRODUCTION TEAM
Music
Jackie Dempsey with her Squonky bandmates
Design
Steve O’Hearn
Stage Direction & Creative Consultation
Rick Kemp
Technical Direction & Engineering
Todd Nonn
Associate Design
David Wallace
Show Development
Steve O’Hearn
Jackie Dempsey
David Wallace
Todd Nonn
Company Management
Caroline Babik
Costume Design
Jackie Dempsey
David Wallace
Stage Management
Gay Kahkonen
Touring Technical Direction
Mia Taylor
Build & Fabrication
Todd Nonn: Lead
Nick Darke: Assistant Technical Direction
Chris Letzelter: Lead Sculptor
Mimi Exler
Corey Grau
Gay Kahkonen
Chris St. Pierre
Venise St. Pierre
Mia Taylor
Tony Thomas
Forrest Trimble
Brandon Walker
David Wallace
Lead Sound Engineer & Audio Operations Manager
Brandon Walker
VIDEO TEAM
Producer / Director of Photography
Luke Geissbühler
Camera Operators
Ben Wolf
Max Geissbühler
Editor
Max Geissbühler
Audio Mix
Brandon Walker
Behind the Scenes Video
David Wallace
Jackie and Steve would like to acknowledge everyone involved in this production for their creative contributions, especially the Squonk musicians, for adding their own individual flavor to the music, and the designers, builders, and puppeteers who added detail and richness to the production
