Vico Ortiz. Photo Credit: Aaron Epstein/HBO Max
Following a successful debut, the highly-anticipated trans theatre and comedy festival, “The Joy Who Lived” (JWL), returns to Los Angeles for its second annual run from March 31 to April 12, 2026.
This year’s expanded program features over 30 shows, readings, and workshops led by a diverse roster of transgender and nonbinary artists.
The festival officially kicks off on Transgender Day of Visibility (March 31) at Dynasty Typewriter (2511 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057) with the hit comedy variety show Gentleman’s Club.
Spanning multiple genres, JWL aims to highlight the most exciting voices in the contemporary creative landscape. This year’s performers include:
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Comedy: Vico Ortiz (Our Flag Means Death), Jiavani (Dropout.tv), and Alex Song-Xia (The Tonight Show).
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Stand-Up: Genre icons Fifi Dosch, Charlie James, and Jeffrey Jay.
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Music: A performance by Ryan Cassata and the debut of the mini-music fest, Genderchella!
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Theatrical Works: New pieces from Tilly Bridges (Monster High), Valerie Rose Lohman (What Remains of Edith Finch), and Boone Williams (The Dragon Prince).
A major highlight of the 2026 season is the Short Play Incubator Showcase, curated by Maddox Pennington, which will debut eleven new works developed specifically for the festival. Other offerings include sketch and improv comedy, world-premiere plays, and a unique showcase celebrating trans animation.
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Pricing: Tickets are available on a sliding scale from $1 to $25.
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Health & Safety: All venues are ADA-accessible; masks are required for all attendees.
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Inclusivity: ASL interpretation will be available for select performances.
For the full lineup and to purchase tickets, visit joywholived.com or follow the festival on Instagram.
