EnJoy Founder Martha Enson as photographed by Ernie Saprio

This is turning out to be a difficult concept to put into words!

If we are lucky life is long and we get to have many phases of self.

Our earliest selves form deep - like roots -  and stay with us our whole lives coloring everything we do, think and feel. Then comes a stage of uncertainty, curiosity, exploration and self discovery. After that, most people land on some kind of definition whether that is their profession or who they live with or some other ordering of life. Of course many of us shift this over time. This shifting is what I am interested in here.

For those of us with a life based on physical skill, such as acrobats, dancers or athletes,  the transition from self definition through skill to the ending of that phase can be really tricky.

“What do you do for a living?” someone asks.

 I pause. 

I used to say I did physical theater, or aerial arts, as well as being a creative director. Now I ask myself “is that true?”. I can still climb, swing, pull and twist, but I’m not doing that professionally these days, and at some point I can imagine I won’t be doing it at all.

Addressing this loss is not just economic as most retirements are. For me it is certainly not a lack of interest.  It’s not just egotistical – although that is surely a part of it. It’s about identity. That is the hard part.

I don’t mean to be melodramatic. I think being an older female performer who identifies as an acrobat and letting that self image change feels like being put out in the woodshed to mold. it feel like the age old Mary split – Mary Magdalene, the young, the beautiful, the sexual and the forbidden VS. Mary Mother of God – the virginal, the mother, the pure, and the compassionate. And yes, lets admit it, by comparison maybe a tiny bit stodgy? I hope I have not offended you but this seems like a good metaphor to me.

For a theater person steeped in alt theater and the physical arts, a producer of Burlesque and a creator of original theater, the former Mary has always been the hands down winner of my heart. But this transition into elderhood feels like I am being stepped out of my Magdalene power, and all I want to shout is HELL NO!

Alternatively there is something uncomfortable about a woman who does not wear her wisdom well, and who refuses to enter into her third phase beauty. I just think culturally we need to be modeling better vitality, seduction, entrancement and magic. These things dont just change, they evolve.

And don’t get me wrong. Letting go of a physical art form can happen much younger depending on your skill level – ballet dancers can end their careers in their twenties. And it is also a fact of life for men, although there seems to be an easier transition in our culture for men. Tell me if I’m wrong.

So this is a commitment on my part to model curiosity in this change. To become more present and more in touch with my humor and my compassion without losing my flexibility and my splits!

I am very curious about other people's journeys with this process. What are the strengths that you are finding when you let go of one self-storying and embrace a new one, or swim around in the soup looking for next steps? Please let me know your stories.

Wherever you are in the process I wish you good explorations and courage.

Take an energizing sip of these big ideas with Kevin Joyce - and read on!

Sheesh, what a time. In the fury and flurry of nefariousness that is our current political landscape, we’re feeling the imperative to do the work of being artists. Creativity, in all its messiness and curveball transgressions of normalcy, has never been more vitally important. 

Among many more, here are five compelling reasons why:

1. Counteracting Alienation and Loneliness with Shared Experience. 

In an era of increasing digital isolation – about to go into hyperdrive thanks to AI - live performance creates rare moments of collective presence, where we gather in a shared space to feel, respond, and connect. In person theater, music, and dance provide a cure to what ails us - via community, empathy, and a sense of belonging in a crazily disconnected world. Read more here about how the arts combat loneliness

Martha Enson activating an outdoor space at an event.

2. Reviving Civic and Cultural Spaces. 

The pandemic did a number on the business of live performance. Arts venues suffered devastating losses, leading to declining attendance, financial instability, and way too many closures. Now, as audiences tentatively return, investing in the arts is crucial for revitalizing local economies. 

HUGE SHOUT OUT to King County’s 4Culture and Seattle’s Hope Corps for committing to this work. EnJoy is grateful beyond words for Sustained Support from 4Culture (enabling us to spend time creating free art for the public), and for funding from Hope Corps (enabling us to pay artists!) 

Learn More about the Hope Corps Grant here. 

 3. Restoring Awe, Beauty, and Optimism in Public Life. The work of performing artists is, in part, to provide an antidote to cynicism and despair by offering moments of transcendence. And no, that’s NOT too grandiose! 

Research shows that experiencing awe—whether through music, storytelling, or movement—expands our sense of time, reduces self-focus, and fosters generosity. Look it up! There’s tons of research on this. At a time when anxiety, burnout, and social distrust are at record highs, the arts help reawaken our capacity for wonder, joy, and hope. 

Learn more about the link between a flow state, happiness and creativity, here (from the guy who literally wrote the book!).

4. Bucking Fear and Division. From politics to media, society is bombarded with messages that reinforce division, distrust, and fear. The performing arts have the power to counteract these forces by telling humanizing stories, creating spaces for difficult conversations, and inspiring audiences to see beyond ideological divides. 

Oh, and  laughing and crying – with others - both help in managing fear. Unlike algorithm-driven content bubbles, live performance connects us, IRL, as they say. 

Read more about how art brings people together here 

5. Disrupting the Status Quo and Sparking Cultural Evolution. Throughout history, the arts have been a disruptive force, challenging dominant narratives, exposing injustice, and pushing society forward. Whether through satire, protest theater, or boundary-pushing experimental work, performance remains a critical tool for questioning norms and reshaping public opinion.

 In an age of rapid technological and social change, we are committed to working in the arts - to provoke, unsettle, and expand the way we see the world. 

Learn more about art in the age of facism here: here 

Kevin Joyce (writer) and Martha Enson as their characters “The Buffoons”

Creativity and the imagination are not luxuries, they are basic human endowments. But like muscles, they atrophy when not used. The arts are no for the privileged few, nor are they the domain of the “creatives”, whatever that means. 

The arts are a civic necessity. They remind us of who we are by grounding us in our growing, changing, becoming selves. The arts, writ large, help us lay claim to our individual lives and bring us together – inspiring us to imagine what’s possible. Now more than ever, we need them.

We know that creativity isn’t just for the young - it deepens, shifts, and takes on new meaning as we move through life. What role has the arts played in your journey? Have you found your creative practice changing over time? We’d love to hear your stories. Reply in the comments or email us—we read every response!

EnJoy Founders Kevin Joyce and Martha Enson on their wedding day, in 2014 and a few years back at their 40th wedding anniversary party.

Love, laughter, and work/life balance

At EnJoy Productions, partnership is at the heart of everything we do. And for us - husband and wife duo Martha Enson and Kevin Joyce - that partnership extends far beyond the stage, the boardroom, or the rehearsal hall. It’s in the little things: the shared creative sparks, the inside jokes that still make us laugh, and the endless quirks that somehow, miraculously, balance each other out.

After 40+ years of marriage, we’ve learned that love isn’t just about romance—it’s about resilience, humor, and knowing when to step in (or step back). It’s about building a life together that’s full of art, adventure, and the occasional battle over a stubbornly squished dish towel.

So, in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we offer you this window into what being partners looks like at our house. It’s a love letter to a lifetime of shared chaos, creativity, and commitment.

Take a peek, and maybe you’ll see a little bit of your own love story in ours.

EnJoy founder Kevin Joyce on dog duty.

A Love Poem

or

"What being partners looks like in our house"

by Martha Enson

I think I should start this out with a list poem, which is pretty much what it sounds like.
It would be:

1. We met in Maine when we were 18 & 19 at a party called “The Summer of Love”

2. We have a similar default speed – FAST. Likely the result of workaholic parents (all 4) and generalized terror. We’ve learned to make it work for us sometimes.

3. We have had 5 dogs and one child together. Don’t know what that says.

4. We live together, work together, we often run together, we love to cook together, we watch things together and create things together. 

We still think things are funny together.

5. There are some things that Kevin does that make me crazy

He never washes the silverware – like it’s invisible

He loses everything. No, really. Everything.

He squishes the dish towel into the stove door so tightly that you CAN’T get it out

6. Here’s what’s great - since I’m writing this, he can’t actually tell you all the things that I do which make him crazy (like how I lick envelopes, or heel stamp when I’m mad, or how I can always find everything. No, really!)

7. We have lived together since college (minus the years we were in Europe with other people) and we moved to Vashon in 1989 and never left. What’s great about that is that the people we moved here with also never left so we have the most extraordinary community here. I say that because I’m pretty sure that’s one of the reasons we are still together.

8. We have created a business together which has thrived and grown and changed, and in between we have continued to make music and theater and community, and to teach and write.

9. Undoubtedly our best move has been having a child together, because not only is she an extraordinary human, but wow...If you really want to see what you are made of – have a kid! Of course, there are lots of other tests like sailing around the world together, climbing Mt Everest, or running for a political office. You do you!

10. Someone told me recently that the idea that a monkey would eventually type Hamlet is a crock, but I would say that the odds of 2 people as driven, available, neurotic, optimistic, creative and absurd as we are actually finding each other and having the stamina, teachers, support, patience, humor, therapists, serendipity and luck to stick it out in a creative mode for over 40 years has got to be as rare as the monkey/Hamlet thing.

11. While I am writing this Kevin is on the phone with T-mobile trying to figure out why our internet is not working...again. He’s been at it (muttering and sighing) for over 90 minutes. There are many reasons to love this man. I think I’ll stick it out.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

What does love look like in your world? If you feel inspired, comment with your own “list poem to love” - whether it’s about a partner, a friend, a family member, or even a beloved pet. Just hit reply to this email and share your words with us. We can’t wait to read them!

Wishing you all love, laughter, and just the right amount of quirkiness this Valentine’s season.

Martha & Kevin

EnJoy Founders with their daughter.

We loving hiring talented performers to activate our events! Pictured: Lou Mangione, Alex Zerbe, and Martha!

As we step eyes-wide-open into 2025, it’s impossible to ignore the challenges of our times—but art-making has never felt more vital. We are energized by the support for free public art and thrilled to announce EnJoy’s major contributions to downtown Seattle’s revitalization this summer. With creativity and imagination at the forefront, we’ll be producing dynamic “activations” as part of a citywide effort to reawaken our shared spaces with vibrant energy.

This fall’s grant and proposal-writing efforts bore incredible fruit: EnJoy received two prestigious awards! Thanks to Hope Corps, through the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture and Mayor Harrell’s Downtown Activation Plan, we’ll present a series of diverse performances across downtown Seattle in August, 2025. This bold vision includes dance, music, circus, and games, celebrating the city’s talent and engaging audiences with a kaleidoscope of cultures and art forms.

Crucially, this support enables us to pay scores of local artists, offering them invaluable opportunities to share their work while fostering connection and joy among Seattle’s communities. Like last year’s acclaimed world premiere of Venus & The Vixens: Games of Love, this project is powered by our fiscal sponsor, Shunpike, which allows us to fundraise and secure grants for our community-focused initiatives.

We’re also thrilled to announce that EnJoy has been awarded a Sustained Support grant from 4Culture, with an exciting boost this year thanks to the Doors Open legislation! This vital funding will help cover production and planning costs for our free public art activations, ensuring our work continues to address critical issues like engagement, isolation, and a hopeful vision for the future of our city.

After 35 years of creating art and performance in Seattle, we consider ourselves wildly lucky to be part of an extraordinary community of artists, organizations, ensembles, and troupes. From Martha’s groundbreaking production of the nation’s first Fringe Theater Festival in 1992 to our work as Co-Founders of UMO Ensemble, performers, directors and producers with Teatro Zinzanni, 20 years of performances with Moisture Festival, and hundreds of corporate and nonprofit clients, we’ve had the privilege of collaborating with artists across every imaginable genre.

This region is immensely blessed with talented and dedicated artists, and this year, we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to channel creativity into action, building a brighter, more connected Seattle for all. Let’s make 2025 unforgettable! In a good way!!

EnJoy Production founders Kevin Joyce and Martha Enson, 2024

We’re trying something new for 2025! Through March we’ll be sharing monthly, in-depth descriptions on our current work and deeper (even philosophical!) thoughts with you. Think of this as an invitation into our creative minds—and we’d love to hear from you as we explore new directions! Please leave a comment on this post and let us know what resonates.

At EnJoy, we balance five sectors: fundraising with non-profits, producing entertainment for corporate events, communications training, executive meeting facilitation, and, of course, art-making. This year, all five domains will be in full swing, and we can’t wait to share the journey with you.

From a new workshop by Martha (more below!) to Kevin’s innovative work countering Artificial Intelligence with human connection, we’re charging into the new year with big ideas and bold action.

Martha Enson teaching a workshop

Martha’s Upcoming Workshops: Let’s Play!

For me, one of the greatest joys of performance is improvising in character while interacting with the public. It’s unpredictable, hilarious, and completely immersive—FUN in its purest form!

Over the years, EnJoy has relied on this skill to enhance our events. Each theme inspires characters, and once the character is chosen, finding a way to incorporate the guests into the character's task or activity is completely creative and often hilarious. Skilled character animation is part performance, part social mixer, and part glue holding everything together.

To grow this unique talent pool of skilled character animators, I’m offering a free Character Animation Workshop on Monday evenings—February 10th, 17th and 24th—from 6-9 PM at Emerald City Trapeze Arts (Yes, you saw Venus & the Vixens at this incredible space!). This workshop is open to all but prioritizes BIPOC performers, as we strive to expand opportunities and diversity in our community. If you know of a performer friend who might benefit, please share this blog post with them.

Here’s the deal: It’s free because I don’t want cost to be a barrier, but participants must commit to all three evenings. Space is limited, so don’t wait to register: Sign Up Here and email me at martha@en-joyproductions.com to secure your spot.

I promise it will be fun, challenging, and worth it. Let’s play together!

Kevin leads a training.

Kevin’s Thought Bubble: Countering AI with Human Connection

This January, I’ll once again join the annual Symposium for the Seattle Study Club, a network of dental practice clubs across the country. Over the last six years, I’ve visited 25 states to lead workshops on team-building and emotional intelligence. Invigorating and inspiring work to be sure. 

This work blends organizational psychology, theater training, and immersive experiences to help teams strengthen community, navigate conflict, and define meaning in their work. Putting together programs for business, healthcare and non-profits that exercise these very human muscles is among the most rewarding and unique aspects of EnJoy’s offerings. 

But as we move into 2025, there is new terrain on the horizon: countering the personal and systemic impact of technology on our lived experience – particularly AI, and its blisteringly fast advances into, well, everything. You’ll hear more about it in the coming months - both from us, and in your own domains of work and life, guaranteed.

For now, we’re in the development phase of a new curriculum of immersive experiences that are dedicated to retaining, and enhancing the critical human capacities that a) distinguish us from the machines we increasingly rely on; b) keep us thriving as emotionally alive, compassionate members of our communities, and c) will keep us from losing ourselves to the onslaught of Artificial Intelligence.

As we head into the new year, we’re excited to share more about these initiatives and hear from you along the way. Stay tuned to our blog for updates, reflections, and ways to get involved. And don’t forget to register for Martha’s workshop if it speaks to you!

Here’s to a year of joy, creativity, and connection.

Onward and upward,
Kevin & Martha

Founders Kevin Joyce and Martha Enson with Linda McVeigh at the the CDCHC Scholarship Foundation Fundraiser

Greetings, friends, colleagues, and fabulous co-conspirators! As we roll into the sparkly potential of 2025 we are reflecting on a year that’s been equal parts whirlwind, adventure, and triumph (with a dash of well-earned chaos thrown in). 2024 won’t fade into the back of our memories - it was 12 months of surprises, challenges, and moments of pure joy that left us both humbled and inspired.

From jaw-dropping premieres to broken bones (don’t worry, we’re back in action!), we’ve had a ride worth recounting. So, in the spirit of wrapping up this wild year, here’s a snapshot of what’s made us laugh, cry, and cheer over the last 365 days.

The Top Ten Things That Happened To/For Us in 2024!

1. The rockin’ world premiere of Venus & The Vixens (…and surviving it intact and happy!).

2. Incredible trips to Ireland and Belize with our daughter and friends.

3. Healing from Kevin’s nasty bike accident and Martha’s broken foot, returning to full function (woohoo!).

4. Celebrating and appreciating 5 years with our colleague Mick Holsbeke, who resigned his commission to do his own great work. Good luck, Mick!

5. Receiving affirming grants from Seattle Office of Arts and Culture and King County’s 4Culture, enabling free public art in 2025 (shoutout to our fiscal sponsor, Shunpike!).

6. Our gorgeous niece’s equally gorgeous wedding to her girlfriend in the Delaware Gap this August.

7. Raising over $35 million for 30 nonprofits, helping make a real impact for local and national causes.

8. Vicariously enjoying our daughter’s fabulous summer of internships, study, and adventure in Barcelona and Copenhagen.

9. Martha’s 19th huge Microsoft event and Kevin’s 60th communications training (yes, we’re counting both for #9—we’re excited!).

10. Spending New Year’s with Kevin’s vivacious 92-year-old mom and her awesome boyfriend, alongside 16 in-laws, outlaws, and kiddos.

As we move forward, we end the year sending out our blessings and immense gratitude to all the wonderful individuals and organizations who have been our partners, collaborating artists and producers, funders and supporters, clients and audiences during this amazing past year. We wish you all the very best for 2025!

Here’s to a 2025 filled with more connection, creativity, and collaboration. Onward and upward!

Warmly,
Kevin & Martha

Holy Crazy Chronology Batman, it’s December! Time flies whether you’re having fun or not - fortunately, we’ve been having plenty of it!

This year saw several landmarks in our work. Beyond the wild and wildly successful world premier of Martha’s Venus & The Vixens: Game of Love, this year marks our celebration of 20 years as EnJoy Productions! Oh my, how twists & turns (and various other aerial moves) have led us to such valuable and enriching relationships with literally hundreds of clients,  from the United Nations, The World Health Organization, the US Navy, to Microsoft, Amazon and hundreds of nonprofits. It has been a wild ride indeed.

We want to acknowledge our gratitude to our wonderful employee Mick Holsbeke who tendered his resignation in September, to move on to doing his own work. We wish him well! We are are delighted to welcome the fabulous and charming Opal Peachey into the EnJoy fold as our Social Media and Marketing Director. Yay!!

And, as 2024 comes to its tumultuous close, we feel immensely fortunate to have the trust of our clients and community, and to feel ourselves working at the thrilling, leading edge of event creation, and live human experiences. It’s a time of unpredictable changes. We are committed, in 2025 and beyond, to promote joy, optimism and positive personal agency.

There is no way to anticipate what will emerge from the momentous (and all-too-frequently terrifying) developments in politics and culture that we’re currently seeing and living through. In this context, how we gather matters. Can we talk to each other, play, connect and have meaningful, joyous experiences? 

For EnJoy Productions, our game has always been, and will continue to be,  not simply entertainment, or manifesting a client’s message, but creating transformative experiences for diverse audiences. It’s aliveness, hope and beauty. 

For those of you who are with us on this mission, we do have a nonprofit branch of EnJoy, through our fiscal Sponsor, Shunpike. This division of our company allowed us to raise money and produce Venus & the Vixens, and will allow us, in 2025, to create some very exciting free live performances in Seattle, dedicated to the city’s revitalization. We are so excited to have received a Hope Corps grant from the Seattle office of Arts and Culture. Watch for Seattle Pop Up Theatre throughout downtown in August of 2025.

If  you’d like to support our work in creating public art,  you can make a donation via our fiscal sponsor, Shunpike, by giving directly on their website or by sending a check made out to "Shunpike" to their mailing address (PO Box 22439. Seattle, WA 98122), specifying EnJoy Productions in the memo line. Thank you in advance, and may you have a warm, calm and enjoyable end of 2024

Onward and upward!

Kevin Joyce and Martha Enson

A production shot of the Goddesses of Venus & the Vixens. Photo by Michelle Bates.

In May of this year, I had the joy of premiering a rock musical called Venus & The Vixens: Games of Love. This production was a labor of love and collaboration with Sari Breznau, who composed all the songs, and Caela Bailey, who co-wrote the lyrics with Sari and me. Together, we set out to create an immersive theatrical experience that blended musical theater, humor, and play.

The final song of the show, "Risk It," captured the essence of the story and my worldview at this moment in time:

Bare your heart and show your cards
Take a chance and drop your guard
Jump in and don’t be coy
It’s time to OWN YOUR JOY...

These lyrics are more than a catchy tune; they’re a rallying cry. They embody a belief that resonates deeply in my life and work: You can’t win if you don’t play.

Songwriters Caela Bailey, Sari Breznau and Martha Enson take a selfie during a rehearsal dinner.

Why This Message Now?

We’ve all heard the sayings: “Nothing ventured, nothing gained” or “You’ve got to get some skin in the game.” But after living through the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, these ideas feel more urgent than ever.

The Surgeon General recently declared loneliness a public health epidemic. People are worn out from years of fear, uncertainty, and disconnection. Many of us have become risk-averse, avoiding the vulnerability that comes with new experiences. And yet, what I see as critical to our collective healing isn’t more work or seriousness—it’s more play.

Audience members participate in the Games of Love, an integral part of our storytelling.

The Playground as Inspiration

When we were kids, the playground was a melting pot of joyful chaos. Whether we arrived with friends or ventured in alone, it was a space of limitless possibility: strangers became instant companions, and every slide, swing, and sandbox promised discovery. Ready, set, GO!

At some point, though, we lose this. We worry about looking foolish. We get bogged down by the grind of adult life. And in the process, we forget the magic of shared, spontaneous fun.

Enter Immersive Theater

With Venus & The Vixens, we set out to create what I call “the adult playground.” This immersive theatrical experience invited audiences to laugh, sing, and participate in a story that was, at its core, about connection. The show wasn’t just a performance—it was an opportunity to engage with joy in a way that feels rare in today’s world.

And it worked. The production exceeded our expectations, proving that immersive event production can create community and rekindle a sense of belonging.

What’s Next?

The success of Venus & The Vixens has inspired us to dream even bigger. While we plan for a future remount of the show (feel free to call me if you’d like to collaborate!), we’re also exploring new ways to use immersive entertainment to bring people together in Seattle and beyond.

Because here’s the truth: play is not frivolous. It’s vital. So, take a chance. Drop your guard. And as your mom always said, “Go outside and play!”

Audience involvement at Venus & the Vixens: Games of Love 2024. Photo by Michelle Bates.

I don’t know about you, but to us it keeps feeling like we’re in a brave new world - one that requires more courage, novel thinking, and authentic engagement than ever before. Events and gatherings just feel different. What the actual funk is going on?

At some point in 2024, a lightbulb went off for EnJoy Productions: It’s all about engagement.

Engagement at the Intersection of Values, Meaning, and Celebration

Our work lives and operates at the busy and treacherous intersection of celebration, values and meaning. As corporate event producers and champions of community building in Seattle and beyond, we have made it our mission to balance these three critical components in a way that fosters true connection. And in times when celebration can feel somehow too frivolous, messaging too confusing and values too lost in the shuffle, we take our job very seriously. 

Whether it’s bringing an organization’s mission to life in a corporate training event, designing an immersive gathering for a local Seattle nonprofit, or organizing a public festival that brings together diverse communities, we aim to thread the needle of these hidden needs, and do it at a world-class level. We’re at the top of our game, it’s the Olympics, and we gotta stick the landing.

For 20 years EnJoy Productions has had the honor and privilege of delivering message-rich live experiences for an incredibly diverse portfolio of clients. From the United Nations to COSTCO, to facilitating healthcare leadership team retreats -  each event we create is custom-designed, with the flexibility to meet unique client needs. Our expertise spans the corporate, civic, and private sectors, and our specialty lies in crafting events that elevate engagement to build loyalty, excitement, and lasting connections. Every single event needs its own special sauce. 

A New Focus: Community as Client

This year, we set a new goal: to make community our client. Inspired by our mission to foster deeper connections, we launched a rock musical experience, Venus & The Vixens: Games of Love, an immersive production created and directed by our co-founder, Martha Enson. Our vision was to reimagine interactive events as tools for community-building and meaningful fun. The production not only exceeded our expectations but also changed how we understand the purpose of our work.

We invented something, and stuck the landing for a trick we didn’t even know we were attempting. Venus & the Vixens blew the roof off what we imagined interactive and immersive art experiences could possibly be, and accomplish. 

In an alienating post-COVID world full of political and social divisions, what people seem to want and need is…wait for it… connection with others. A sense of being safely seen and valued. A quality of belonging. And people want to have meaningful fun. 

Redefining Corporate Events and Training Through Immersive Experiences

Corporate events can be much more than just gatherings; they can be spaces where teams feel inspired, connected, and motivated. As we extend our reach into corporate events, celebrations, training and education, we’re excited to bring our expertise in immersive and interactive event production to organizations looking to transform employee engagement. With thoughtfully designed experiences, companies can unlock new levels of connection and bring their values to life in ways that resonate deeply with their teams.

We’ll unpack this further in future posts, and get much deeper into what it was about Venus that so altered our understanding of EnJoy’s deeper purpose. For the moment, we are committed to new exploration and experimentation at the blurry edges of human engagement, the place where joy and meaning meet. More to come!

Dear Valued Community,

We want to invite you to join us on an adventure! 
It’s a mission that really matters to us, and we hope it will to you as well.

You’ve known us a long time, and in creating EnJoy Productions, you know we’ve spent many years working business to business, which is a different path than creating our dream projects. In envisioning events for Clients, our work is super creative and employs loads of artists, and we’ve had amazing successes: our company has created and performed with and for Teatro Zinanni, Cirque du Soleil, Bumbershoot and hundreds of nonprofits and corporations.

But now, we ARE creating a dream project. it’s time to create something original, something inspiring and beautiful - because the world needs it, our city needs it, we all need it. We have an opportunity to make an uplifting contribution, at a time when people are isolated and overwhelmed. It’s why we do what we do.

What’s the dream show? It’s a vision I had years ago, and it came alive during the pandemic as a clear response to the human need for connection. Now the time is right to bring it to life, and we need your help, because this production literally won’t happen without our community’s investment. Today is the first day of our Kickstarter campaign, and we really need you to join us as we get the ball rolling. 

Venus & the Vixens: Games of Love is an interactive rock circus musical based on the iconic love story of Cupid and Psyche and accompanied by a kick-ass all-female rock band, with food and drink! Its world premiere is May 30 - June 16, and many pieces of this epic production have already come together - the songs are written, the script is being dramaturged, and the cast is ready to roll.  It is our hope that Venus & The Vixens: Games of Love is going to redefine the meaning of immersive, interactive theater and forever imprint itself on the Seattle performance art scene.

We have been committed for over 30 years to paying artists living wages, and supporting nonprofits. Right now, our most significant challenges are paying our cast and crew the wage they deserve, and paying SANCA and Emerald City Trapeze to rent their amazing venue for rehearsals and production. 

Our Kickstarter campaign runs Feb 1 - 27, and we need to raise $60,000 to complete the funding for Venus. Ticket sales will cover only 24% of the cost of this production. It’s very different from working for a corporation! We’re hiring 35 artists and working harder than we ever have to create this show - A show that we will ALL be proud of.

So here’s the ask: I’d like you to please consider backing the campaign today at any level from $250 - $1,000. Or more, if you’re able and inspired! You'll receive some incredible rewards for your support, as well as the assurance that you are making quantifiable investment in this production. It’s literally being generated by and with our community, and you’re a big part of that.

Please click here to view the rewards, learn more, and back the campaign. LINK HERE

With deep respect, and sincere gratitude for considering this. You have my deep respect, and thank you for your time!

Martha Enson, 

Writer and Director, Venus & The Vixens

It's an electrifying time here at EnJoy Productions, and we're thrilled to share our journey with you! We are currently in full production mode for the world premiere of "Venus & the Vixens: Games of Love." While many pieces of this epic production have fallen into place, our most significant challenge lies in the costs associated with bringing a show of this magnitude to life in Seattle.

   To help make this exciting project possible, we're launching a Kickstarter campaign throughout the entire month of February, and we have only 27 days to raise the funds. But we're not just asking for your financial support; we want to celebrate our journey with you in style! That's why we're throwing two unforgettable parties, and we'd love for you to be a part of them. All info above.

    Picture this: games, delectable food and drinks from the amazing Ruby Brink, captivating performances, and a gathering of our dearest friends. It's a free event, and we want you to join us as we kickstart our campaign with a bang!

     So, join us, bring a friend, and please help us spread the word! Your Attendance at our February 1st or February 4th party will make a world of difference. Please RSVP by clicking the link below at your earliest convenience so we can ensure a memorable experience for you and your guests. See you there, and let's make history together! 

Warm regards,
Martha Enson and Kevin Joyce

P.S. Mark your calendars for February 1st and jump on your phones to help EnJoy Productions - Sharing our Kickstarter with the community is where the real magic happens. Are you interested backing the campaign BEFORE we launch? We love you already! Reply to this email and let us know your interested.

As fall settles in, EnJoy is gearing up for a flurry of fabulous nonprofit and corporate events. One upcoming event we’re excited to tell you about is the annual conference for the Washington Festivals and Events Association held this year in Issaquah, Washington from Oct. 9-11.

Martha and I are engaged as featured presenters in the conference, and in addition to hosting the opening reception, facilitating round table discussions, and emceeing the awards ceremony, we’re thrilled to be leading conversations about how fundraisers and events more broadly can be re-imagined and supercharged with meaning! (https://www.wfea.org/wfea-conference)

Our two breakout sessions, “Revamping Live Auctions” and “Why Customization Matters: Celebrating our Clients’ Stories,” will provide us with a chance to connect deeply with the festivals and events community of our region. This is a opportunity for us to guide conversations with industry leaders on the critical “tweaks” that can be made to live events - so that attendees leave feeling more alive and more committed to that organization and community!

As we look at patterns and trends in a post-pandemic event industry, there are incredible opportunities for innovation in how we craft our gatherings. For our part, EnJoy is more committed than ever to bringing joy and connection into our events and helping our clients create experiences that move people, inspire them, and give them a sense of hope.

Over 20 years, EnJoy designed, produced, and hosted nearly 1000 events nationwide and abroad. It’s an honor to be part of this industry and to be part of the WFEA Conference!

EnJoy Productions is excited to provide entertainment at the historic opening of the new Sound Transit light rail line in Tacoma on September 16th. We’ll have characters embedded on the train to provide historical context to the grand opening of the line. It is an honor for EnJoy Productions to be a part of this important event. Performance dates are still to be determined, but the public is encouraged to stay tuned for more information.

The opening of the light rail line is a major event for the Tacoma community and EnJoy Productions is proud to be a part of it. We look forward to providing spectacular entertainment and education to the rich Tacoma public on this historic day.

We hope to see everyone there on September 16th!

The first half of 2023 will see EnJoy traveling all over the country with its popular Communication Survival Guide trainings for teams, as well as auctions for some wonderful nonprofits. Affiliates of Seattle Study Club from California to Boston, Colorado to Alabama, Minnesota and Florida will spend a half day exploring how stress makes us lousy communicators & collaborators, and what to do about it! It’s a program we’re super proud of and the seminar, which combines neuroscience and improvisation, plus using several incredible tools from Liberating Structures. ™

The Communication Survival Guide is as enjoyable and worthwhile to lead as it is (so they report) for the participants. One of the most rewarding aspects of the work is witnessing hundreds of people every week who are committed to showing up as their best selves, and in service of others. The diversity of personalities, the different levels of exposure to the material we present, and the sheer numbers of people that we are engaging in this work makes for some inspiring trips! People are hungry for tools to be less…tweaked, let’s say. It’s humbling to work with people who are on healthcare’s front lines, especially folks in dentistry who are constantly dealing with patients who are terrified! Amazing to witness them work to be at the front lines of conscious communication as well!!

When Kevin isn't producing events or raising critical funds for organizations his passion is playing music! On November 20 Kevin will perform 2 sets of his original songs at Vashon Center for the Arts in the gorgeous Kaye White Hall. The evening is themed "Music and Healing", and will be a rollicking exploration Kevin's 30 year history as a songwriter. He'll be joined onstage by a selection of Vashon and Seattle music luminaries, and the show will feature new tunes from the pandemic, others Kevin has never sung publicly, and songs from the campfire that make fun of everything and everyone. Tickets and livestream information here:

TICKET INFORMATION

Videos

Photo credit: King County Metro photographer Thomas Hawthorne captured during Welcome Week with the Downtown Seattle Association 07/2021

Let me start by saying I fully support the social distancing restrictions that have been in place, and that not gathering in large groups for the past 2 years has been, in my opinion, the right course of action. Full transparency: it nearly decimated our business, amounting to an 80% loss in revenue in 2020, and a slow claw-back, adapt, pivot (hate that word) in 2021. It also goes without saying that nearly 1 million deaths in the US has been far more tragic than not being able to gather, and the personal and collective sacrifice has been, I believe, absolutely necessary. And…I write this on a day that both nationwide and Seattle covid cases (95% Omicron) have come down 75% from their peak, and are predicted to come down much further in the very short term.

It seems clear that that more and more people and institutions are ready to have a different conversation, and to move to a different set of restrictions and limitations – in public norms, and in their own hearts and minds.

I was thinking “the inevitable return…” would have been better in the title, but instead of talking about the how - new norms, collective agreements, best practices - I wanted to address the why - the urge, the need and the critical importance of coming back together to our collective health. And in this case, I’m focusing on the Live Event Industry – not workplaces, or schools, restaurants or movies. I’m talking about those experience we participate in mostly for the sake of being together.

There’s plenty of evidence to suggest a robust return to live events is anything but inevitable: the only partial re-opening of workplaces; the large percentage of workers deciding that it’s better for them to work at home; the seismic shift of fundraising to virtual (or other methods that aren’t galas). Much of this is what we all had to do (by law or survival necessity for our businesses) during the most dangerous phases of the pandemic. What matters for this discussion is the extent to which we decide to continue behaving that way when neither legal restriction nor survival necessity are any longer at play. To be clear, I’m talking about the survival of our businesses and cultural institutions here, and not ignoring the continued mortal danger of infection for a portion of the population. But I am making the argument that continuing the level of restrictions and the refusal to support public gatherings is at this point doing us more harm than good (especially if politically motivated and mostly “performative”, but that’s a whole other conversation)

That was a long preamble to these propositions: live events are in fact going to come back with abandon; they can help meet some deep collective and individual needs (healing trauma is not too strong a phrase), and; we in the industry have an opportunity to deeply reflect on what values we bring to this work, and to engage new criteria for success.

Two years of distance and isolation has messed with our social skills and the practice of connecting with others. How might we bring attention to empathy and intimacy to our events? And by that, I mean qualities of kindness, generosity of spirit, and sensitivity to the gentle onramp that might be needed for people to feel delighted by (and not just safe in) connecting with others. It may mean more time and different structures for the informal parts of events, perhaps designing different kinds interactivity that provide some “guardrails” for connecting.

I can imagine agoraphobia in returning to large groups gatherings. How might we increase the opportunity for depth, for hearing each other’s stories, for minimizing overwhelm? For many communities and organizations, large gatherings have always provided a sense of social home, of being in our tribe. Talk about something that is essential to our sense of psychological well being! Research suggests that modern humans, just like 30,000 years ago, can manage somewhere in the range of 125 close relationships. Since we’ve clearly NOT been able to be with (most of) our larger tribe of late, it's interesting to think about what we might do to turn our events into really good medicine? In order to give each other a felt experience of that comfort zone, what changes in space design, décor, seating arrangements, size of stages, and length of segments might we consider to reduce the sense of being amidst a disquietingly large crowd?

In the hosting, scripting, curating, directing and design work that we’re engaged in, I feel challenged to help construct and lead events with a new attention to narrative, to beauty, and…stay with me…to ritual. Narrative for the sake of telling the story of our shared values, our hopes and dreams, the very mythic importance of what we’re about. Beauty for the healing of the body and soul – for the endorphins, the dopamine and the oxytocin of it all, the sense of love, of pleasure in the world. Beauty for the sake of reminding us of what matters, of meaning. And ritual because we can create our events with care and deep attention to the user experience - in the sequence, the language we use to guide attendees, the punctuation of beginnings and endings, the production values that make things “pop”, the guests’ sense of being led through an experience by people who care about them, so that they leave feeling fuller than when they came, and somehow more able to bring that into the world.

That’s why I’m excited about the return of live events, and to all of us bringing our hopefulness, adaptability and leadership to their design. Our gatherings need to be reimagined, and created, with the care and genius that reflects how much they matter! They’re not extra, not nice-to-haves – they define us, and ground us in our communities. They are gotta-haves. So here we go…let’s nail this!

See you soon…and SO looking forward to it. - Kevin Joyce

photo: Michelle Bates

It is easy to look at the last couple of years as a big dose of loss. Loss of family members, loss of beloved pets, loss of work and work contexts. It has also been an incredibly rich time of growth and learning. And it has, for me, been a time of assessment of what matters most.

This past July I had the opportunity of an amazing reunion with two groups of performers on an island in the Northwest where I live and create. 

There are long roots betwixt and between these groups – my aerial partner is in one group and my theatrical family is in the other.  Independently, each group is made up of relationships that extend back to our earliest times of making theater and music. There are literally decades of creative joy and conflict, both personal and professional, in both circles, and once a year we all gather at a festival of fairy lights, stages, art mayhem and camping at the Oregon Country Fair.

For those of you not familiar with the fair – and no, it’s not the Oregon County Fair – you might imagine it as a cross between a Grateful Dead concert and the Shire in Lord of the Rings, with 5 days of truly unpredictable beauty, fantastic art, massive freedom, and music all night long. Throw in camping cheek and jowl, no matter the weather, and stage shows daily, no matter the lack of sleep, and you can begin to get the feel.

Well, you know how it has all been cancelled. Of course you do. The weddings, the reunions, the work, the travel. All our celebrations, memorials, graduations, competitions and trips. The on-going letting go, the stoicism, the disappointment and an ever-creeping sense of exhaustion at it all; the idea that maybe the effort is not worth it – the hoping, the modifying, and the accommodation – and that maybe the insular, predictable, already complex and unending daily grind isn’t really so bad, and that it might be easier to let those events and gatherings just go on by.

Well, I’m here to tell you –It is WORTH it! After 2 years of the fair  being cancelled we decided to have a mini fair ourselves. and it was so worth it.

First of all, let’s talk about the people. Being in the presence of their real, dear, complex, fun and funny selves – worth it. People from all over the country. People who managed  food for 50 with a portable kitchen and hose hook up, and never once got grumpy!  The creative juices cross- pollinating, and rehearsing group choreography on the fly with the predictably smart and bossy people back seat driving;  the long nights sitting around a campfire singing – worth it! The communal meals after so much solitude – worth it!

The chaos of new dogs and growing kids practicing adulting in a larger family setting; the tenting and the competitive wiffle ball; basking in other people’s gifts of beauty and bringing my own to share – WORTH IT!

I had to exercise my poor atrophied muscles of gathering, and get my stamina hat out for the early morning coffee crew and the late night party, but as the saying goes “you can sleep when you’re dead”.

So, what does all of this have to do with EnJoy Productions? 

In our company, below all the costumes, the skill acts, the characters and songs; underneath the fund raising and messaging, training and communication, is a profound dedication to joy and connection. Find the joy in every group, organization, conference or business, and then share the appreciation.

I say it is worth is – let us be together creatively and partake in joy together. Let us help you find your community of best practices that unleash your fun and creativity and let us all practice re-building towards connection. It’s worth it. Won’t you join us?

As we move into the fall, and closer to the time of harvest, we’d like to take a moment to reflect back on one of EnJoy Production’s larger projects of the summer, our partnership with the Downtown Seattle Association for their Welcome Back Weeks. In a time when being in public space, in close proximity with others, is complex and concerning; the work and initiatives of the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) and the Metropolitan Improvement District to bring joy, performance, and art to public spaces could not have been more essential. 

Partnering with DSA as one of their selected producers, has been one of the highlights of our summer at EnJoy productions, as artists, creators, and producers the work of bringing arts and culture to people of all walks of life is right in the pocket of who we strive to be as a company. 

So far this summer we’ve had the pleasure of producing Over 15 different productions throughout downtown, reaching hundreds of residents hungry for a sense of civic celebration! We've also been able to employ and engage close to 100 performing and visual artists with opportunities to share their work.

Throughout these times, we have witnessed moments of extreme joy and wonder on the faces of countless audience members, and unexpecting bystanders. Whether the audience had come specifically for an event, had just happened to walk by, had been driving in a car, or riding by on a bus; the joy of being caught off guard by the beauty of art and performance in public space in the middle of the day, was palpable and illuminating.  

At EnJoy we like to think of ourselves as creators of extraordinary events, and it’s exactly in this place of creating the extraordinary moments that we find joy and hope for our collective futures. Yes, the work is challenging at times, and yes, the countless hours of preparation can be daunting, but it all pays off by seeing the joy emerge during an event. 

We find joy in the simple wave of a puppet to a child, or in seeing an innocent bystander suddenly be compelled to dance. We find joy in people’s faces as they take pictures with beautiful stilt walkers stretching above them, not unlike the high rise horizon. We find joy in hearing local citizens hoot, holler, laugh and applaud as tap dancers twirl, breakdancers flip, salmon puppets parade, live painters paint, musicians play, aerialists fly, jugglers toss, and WE share moments of true connection together. 

It’s in these moments of awe, and wonder that we forget about ourselves, our preoccupations, and our perceptions of each other. Our hearts open, and new possibilities for hope and understanding begin to emerge. By witnessing the grace of these moments, we reaffirm our commitment to the arts, to our partners, and to sharing our vision of joy with our beloved Seattle community.

Of course NONE of this would have been possible, without our team of producers, stage managers, artists, the Downtown Seattle Association, and you the public. Our hats go off to us all! Thank you, and the fun isn’t over!!! Stay tuned for exciting news regarding new activations by EnJoy is downtown Seattle, and including the activation of 6 different vacant storefronts with visual and performing arts in this winter! Check out DSA’s full summer calendar HERE. If you’re wanting to have some fun, come check out an event in one of your local parks, downtown. You will not be sorry! ;) 

On March 6th and & 7th EnJoy co-produced Phare Into the Future, a live-24 hour Guinness World Record attempt, and virtual fundraising campaign to support Phare Ponleu Selpak, a Cambodian circus and visual art school that serves literally hundreds of families in Cambodia. Globally more than a half of a million people tuned in online to watch the event, and more than $125,000 dollars were raised to support Phare’s educational programs. We’re humbled to announce that in addition to the critical funds raised, and winning a Guinness World Record for Longest Circus Show, Phare Ponleu Selpak and EnJoy Productions have also received three international awards for our innovation and creativity with this event.

We received a Gold and a Silver trophy in the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, one of the most prestigious business awards in the world, and also a Gold at the Hermes Creative Awards, for our work on this event. Some of the other competitors were global giants like AstraZeneca, Bruce Springsteen, LG, IBM, Pepsi, UNICEF, Hewlett Packard, Manulife, and Reuters. If you aren’t familiar with these awards please take a moment to check out the links below! 

Our work with Phare over the last year has been a beacon of hope, driving us forward towards the end of a very long tunnel. It was a labor of love built during a global pandemic, and inspired by the desire to stand in solidarity with our community during times of deep struggle. 

Our hope is that these awards will continue to uplift and sustain the spirit of Phare Ponleu Selpak as they continue to fight the COVID crisis, and remind us all that the power of the arts combined with the fire of the human spirit truly has the ability to change lives. If you would like to donate to Phare Into the Future you can do so by following this link: 

https://phareps.org/make-a-donation/#makeadonation

Many thanks to everyone to our partners Phare Ponleu Selpak, Box Clever Creative, and everyone who made this possible!! 

A special shout out is in order for Bonnie Steussy & David Edfeldt, who on a whim decided to take motorcycles taxis to see Phare’s circus before leaving Cambodia, and then made the effort to connect us. Just goes to show that even the smallest of gestures can produce gigantic results, and art truly does save lives.