FEATURE PHOTO: Injoy Fountain on “The Voice”

Her smile and expressions are ticklish and contagious. Her confidence and humility are perfectly balanced with her exceptional talent and experience. Her presence truly radiates awe, playfulness and being real. To visit with her is like washing the mundane with inspiration and laughter, as if finding a living fountain of joy.

Maybe you remember her from “The Voice’s” Team Kelly, or on tour with Postmodern Jukebox. Perhaps you attended Music Theatre Wichita’s ”42nd Street” where she played Maggie Jones, or witnessed her transformative performance in “The Color Purple” at Roxy's Downtown. 

“After playing Celie in “The Color Purple” the musical, I was left completely vulnerable. I had no choice but to feel everything. The way I hear music is different now. I'm not just going through the motions of singing or performing. I want you to feel what I feel.”

Injoy Fountain was born and raised in Wichita. She attended grade school at Collegiate and graduated from East High. She then moved to New York City for ten years and graduated from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA). There she performed in a band with four-time Tony nominee, Condola Rashad, all the while on and off Broadway. She also traveled to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world’s largest arts and media festival. There she performed in “Rent” the musical under the direction of Anthony Rapp.

Not only is Fountain gifted, she is generous: She happily involves herself in local charitable events for the Sunflower Clinic, Model Mayhem, GLSEN and the Wichita Family Crisis Center.

What keeps this larger-than-life talent active and supportive in her hometown?

“I love the fact that Wichita is full of arts! That's why I came back!” Fountain proclaims. It’s not uncommon to see her in an MTWichita production at Century II and the following week striding the boards at Roxy’s Downtown and Mosley Street Melodrama.

When it comes to evolution needed in the Wichita arts scene she says: “I would love to see more female musicians and equal pay for musicians.”

Fountain is as talented as she is passionate, and as wise as she is encouraging, saying “Never give up. A ‘no’ is always a redirection to your ‘yes.’ Create your own seat at the table. Be human. Really polish your gift. Be well rehearsed. Be original.

“To all of my friends for always supporting me, to my team and investors, and all the musicians trying to make it out here on their own, and of course my kiddo Odessa, thank you!”

Upcoming Events with Injoy Fountain

Jazzy-Soul Night with Injoy Fountain

7 p.m. Nov. 2 at OddFellow Hall

Visit oddfellowhall.com for details

Music Theatre Wichita's 2022 Live Holiday Special

Dec. 9–11 at Century II Concert Hall

Visit mtwichita.org or call 316.265.3107 for details