Classes for Children & Adults on the Spectrum
Using a variety of dramatic techniques, Theatre Horizon’s Autism Drama Program inspires imagination, communication, and interest in personal relationships for individuals on the autism spectrum. Our classes help students develop social skills, verbal expression, empathy for others, and a sense of self worth and accomplishment. Class size is limited to provide a small student to teacher ratio.
Tuition is on a Pay-What-You-Can Scale
Thanks to funding from individual donors and foundations, Theatre Horizon can make these programs accessible to all families regardless of household income by offering sliding scale tuitions. We ask that families pay what they feel they can afford.
Interested in Further Supporting our Autism Drama Program?
Consider making a donation to Theatre Horizon so that we can continue to make our program accessible to anyone who wants to participate.
Spring Classes
Youth Drama (In-Person)
Saturdays, 10AM – 11AM
Ages: 10-17+
Cost: Pay-What-You-Can Scale
Through improv games and creative play, students develop flexible thinking and valuable social skills. Actors learn to collaborate and share ideas as they participate in lively theatre games in an environment that celebrates their unique talents and interests. This class takes place onsite at Theatre Horizon.
Acting 101 (In-Person)
Saturdays, 11:30AM – 1PM
Ages: 10-17+
Cost: Pay-What-You-Can Scale
This class is an intro to Acting on stage. Participants learn the fundamentals of Acting as they develop the skills necessary to communicate their character’s intentions, thoughts and feelings. Through improv, theater games, and acting exercises, participants learn to create strong characters, engage in rich dialogue, and the basics of performing for an audience. Class culminates in a final showcase in our theatre where participants’ will have the opportunity to showcase the acting skills they’ve been developing throughout the course for family and friends. This class takes place onsite at Theatre Horizon.
Youth Drama (Online)
Saturdays, 10AM – 11AM
Ages: 10-17+
Cost: Pay-What-You-Can Scale
Through improv games and creative play, students learn flexible thinking and valuable social skills in an environment that celebrates their unique talents. These classes will be held via Zoom.
Acting 101 (Online)
Saturdays, 11:30AM – 1PM
Ages: 10-17+
Cost: Pay-What-You-Can Scale
This class is an intro to Acting on stage. Participants learn the fundamentals of Acting as they develop the skills necessary to communicate their character’s intentions, thoughts and feelings. Through improv, theater games, and acting exercises, participants learn to create strong characters, engage in rich dialogue, and the basics of performing for an audience. Class culminates in a final showcase where participants’ will have the opportunity to showcase the acting skills they’ve been developing throughout the course for family and friends. These classes will be held via Zoom.
In the News
“Philadelphia Drama Program Champions Kids With Autism”
The Kelly Clarkson Show | 1/4/23
Theatre Horizon’s Autism Drama Program was featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Artistic Director Nell Bang-Jensen and Director of Community Investment Mydera Taliah Robinson were able to share the history of our Autism Drama Program and its impact on students on National Television.
“Project Innovation Grant Recipient: Theatre Horizon”
by Alexa Gallo | NBC10 | 8/4/22
“A professional theatre company based in Norristown, Montgomery County, Theatre Horizon, has been awarded a $25,000 grant from NBC10, Telemundo62, and Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation as part of Project Innovation. The Money will go towards the theatre’s Autism Drama Program…”
“Theatre Horizon’s Autism Theatre Classes Continue Through the Pandemic”
by Peter Crimmins | WHYY | 4/5/21
“In early March 2020, Theatre Horizon was just one week into its six-week drama class for young people on the autism spectrum, when the pandemic shut down all theaters in Pennsylvania…”
“This MontCo Theatre Program for Students with Autism Is a Barrymore Nominee”
by Albert Hong | Generocity | 9/25/17
“Theatre Horizon’s Autism Drama Program is one of the four nominees for this year’s Victory Foundation Award and the only one in its category focusing on education for those on the spectrum…”
“Theatre Horizon’s Autism Drama Program: Offering Fall Classes on a Special ‘Pay What You Can’ Scale”
by Keith Howard | Macaroni Kid | 9/12/17
“Using a variety of dramatic techniques, Theatre Horizon’s Autism Drama Program inspires imagination, communication, and interest in personal relationships for individuals on the autism spectrum…”
“Philadelphia Young Playwrights Collaborates with Theatre Horizon to Reach Adult Students Through Autism Drama Outreach Program”
Press Release | Canary Promotion | 2/19/13
“Young Playwrights is honored to enter this work in partnership with Theatre Horizon, and eager to stimulate and hear the voices of the Program’s adult students. We thank Steve and June Wolfson for the thoughtful philanthropy…”
“Theater Program Helps Kids with Autism Reach New Horizons”
by Mindy Toran | Montgomery Media | 2/23/12
“The program focuses on each child’s unique and individual motivations and builds off of them, encouraging relationships and creative play. Teachers create custom-made games that cross the child’s motivations with the program’s goals for them…”
“Can Socially Distanced Theatre Still Teach Social Skills?”
by Shrishti Mathew | American Theatre | 6/23/20
“In the face of so many things changing, we thought that even though switching to Zoom would be a huge adjustment, our students would still benefits from the time to work creatively and see the teachers and classmates they’d gotten to know over months and often years…”