NORRISTOWN, PA — Theatre Horizon is shifting away from a traditional multi-production mainstage season for 2026-27, emphasizing community-created work, music and audience participation as incoming Artistic Director Amina Robinson takes control of the Norristown theater in November.
The programming gives Robinson a transitional season to develop relationships with artists and audiences before presenting the productions she plans to bring to Theatre Horizon in 2027-28.
“Before we talk about what’s next on stage, I want to create opportunities for people to gather, share stories, and help shape what this next chapter can become together,” Robinson said.
The season opens Nov. 11 with HorizoNEXT: The Artistic Director’s Scene Salon, featuring songs and scenes from productions Robinson favors, performed by Theatre Horizon artists. A second HorizoNEXT event on March 3 will preview her planned 2027-28 season.
Theatre Horizon is also expanding its Waiting in the Wings community engagement program, which brings Norristown and Montgomery County residents into the creative process as performers and collaborators.
That effort includes Rising Voices, a new 20-member community choir directed by Matthew Mastronardi. The ensemble will make its debut Dec. 18 and 19 with Rising Voices: A Holiday Concert by the Theatre Horizon Community Choir, accompanied by a pre-show bazaar featuring local makers and a community bake sale.
The theater’s most extensive community-created production will arrive May 5 through 16 with The Untitled MontCo Project. Montgomery County residents will work with a professional director to develop an original production without a predetermined script, title or outcome, and no previous performance experience is required.
The season concludes June 19 with THREAD: Songs & Stories, a free Juneteenth open mic co-hosted by alumni of Theatre Horizon’s THREAD resident artist program and theater leaders Mydera Taliah Robinson and Amina Robinson.
The event will feature a house band and Rising Voices, with participants invited to contribute songs, stories, poetry or family history.
Theatre Horizon is pricing its new season membership at $50 for general seating and $60 for extra-leg-room seating. Membership covers six events, including the Scene Salon, one Rising Voices holiday performance, the 2027-28 season preview and The Untitled MontCo Project, as well as priority seating for the free THREAD event and another HorizoNEXT program to be determined.
The programming comes as Theatre Horizon works to strengthen its financial foundation while changing artistic leadership. Robinson will succeed Co-Founder and Interim Artistic Director Matthew Decker.
The theater will mark that transition Feb. 13 with Scene Change: A Winter Fundraiser, a separate ticketed event featuring dinner, drinks and a cabaret. The fundraiser will welcome Robinson and honor Decker with performances drawn from musicals the two have directed, including The Color Purple, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Wishing to Grow Up Brightly and Into the Woods.
Proceeds will support Theatre Horizon’s productions, education programs and community work. Ticket information for the fundraiser will be released later.
Memberships, tickets and additional information are available at TheatreHorizon.org or by calling 610-283-2230 ext. 1.
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