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.

Business of Theatre Workshop

Saturday, April 13th 2024
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Age: 10+

Are you or your child interested in working professionally in the theatre, but are unsure where to even begin? Open to families from Theatre Horizon’s Autism Drama and NSTEP Programs, this Business of Theatre Workshop will be taught by Broadway’s own Robi Hager, co-director and star of Theatre Horizon’s production of tick, tick…BOOM!, a musical about the pressures of being an artist and the joys of creative fulfillment.

Tuition covers the attendance of one student and an accompanying caregiver, and those who register will be sent a Buy One Get One Free code to see the 3:00PM matinee production of tick, tick…BOOM! after class. We can’t wait to see you there!

Autism Drama Half-Day Summer Camp

June 24th – June 28th, 2024 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Age: 10+
Cost: Pay-What-You-Can Scale

In Theatre Horizon’s Autism Drama Summer Camp, young actors spend a week using theater games, improv activities, and acting exercises to create an original immersive theatrical experience! This year’s theme will be “Under the Sea”. Camp runs from 9:00am-12:00pm each day, and students are able to participate on their own terms in a supportive environment. Imaginations are free to explore during ADP Summer Camp! On the last day, families will be invited into the space to experience their students’ creations.

Online Classes

Youth Drama

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

Saturdays, 11:30AM – 1PM

Ages: 10+
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

Kelly Clarkson looks at a TV screen with Nell Bang-Jensen and Mydera Talia Robinson on the screen

“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.

Theatre Horizon staff and teaching artists hold an oversized check from Project Innovation

“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…”

Students and teachers of Theatre Horizon's Autism Drama Program playing a theatre game over Zoom

“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…”

More Information About our Autism Drama Program

If you’re interested in 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 and expand our reach.

For more information, contact Sheridan Merrick, Education Coordinator, at Sheridan@TheatreHorizon.org or call 610-283-2230 x706.