About Us!
JuggleJoy! Educational Entertainment features the husband-and-wife team of
Keith Hughes and Mary Joy (M.J.) Moriarty. From their home-base in West
Hartford, Connecticut, the two regularly perform at schools, libraries, festivals
and museums throughout New England and have taught circus and theater arts
to students ranging from kindergartners to senior citizens.
They are the opening act for the Bushnell Children's Theatre and are teaching
artists for the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts' Partners in the Arts
educational programs. They have served on the faculties of University of
Hartford's Summer Place, Oddfellows Playhouse in Middletown, and New
England Academy of Theatre in New Haven. They are listed on the Connecticut
Commission on Culture and Tourism's Roster of Performing Artists.
Keith and M.J. have been presenters at the Connecticut Storytelling Festival, the
Connecticut Drama Association Festival, and the New England Theatre
Conference. They have also been guest lecturers at the college level at the
University of Hartford and the Hartford Conservatory.
Prior to JuggleJoy, Keith performed as a family entertainer in a variety of
venues. In 1984, he ran away and joined the circus, performing in 35 states as a
juggler, unicyclist, and clown for the Royal Lichtenstein Circus. As a member of
the Spaghetti Brothers from 1986-89, he performed throughout Connecticut with
partner Ed Chiucarello. Keith was a West Hartford public school teacher from
1987-95. A graduate of Fairfield University, he holds an M.A. in Community
Psychology from Central Connecticut State University. He teaches theater and
circus arts as means to foster resiliency and positive social skills in children
and teenagers. As a member of Toastmasters International, Keith has won
numerous awards for his humorous and inspirational speeches.
M.J. studied acting at Holy Cross College in Worcester, MA and the Folger
Shakespeare Theater in Washington, D.C. After graduating from Georgetown
University Law School and practicing law for two years, M.J. decided she
preferred to practice juggling, performing for classrooms rather than
courtrooms. Since 1992, she has performed as a comic variety artist and
storyteller, both solo and with Keith. M.J. was a founding member of the
professional comedy improvisation troupe, The WHIT, with which she performed
for four years. M.J. is also an adjunct professor at University of Hartford,
where she teaches Creativity: The Dynamics of Artistic Expression.
JuggleJoy
Educational Entertainment
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