Nell Bang-Jensen (Artistic Director) (she/her) has been making theater in Philadelphia for the past ten years. She has created four full-scale original works, in addition to producing and directing for many of Philadelphia’s major theater institutions including FringeArts, Philadelphia Theatre Company, the Wilma, Pig Iron, and the Painted Bride. Nell has served as Associate Artistic Director of Pig Iron Theatre Company and on the artistic staff of the Wilma Theater. Her passion for making art outside of the usual theatrical circles guides much of her original work. The Caregivers premiered at Pig Iron last year and was made with Philadelphians who work as home health aides and hospice workers. Her upcoming Boy Project, a play made with 12-15 year old boys about masculinity, is being produced by FringeArts and was awarded a 2019 National MAP Fund grant. Nell is the recipient of a Next Stage Director’s Fellowship from the Drama League (2019), a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship (2011-2012), and was a participant in Theatre Communication Group’s Leadership U: One-on-One program, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and administered by Theatre Communications group; a national fellowship given to eight individuals who TCG believes are the core and future of theater. In October 2018, American Theatre magazine named her as one of six “theatre workers to know” across the nation. Nell is also a Co-Founder of HATCH, an arts residency in Harrisville, New Hampshire that provides female-identifying and non-binary artists with time and space to create new theater. A graduate of Swarthmore College, Nell is also passionate about Education and is a Senior Lecturer at the University of the Arts as well as a Visiting Faculty Member at Carleton College.

Bryan Buttler (Public Relations) (he/him) specializes in bringing unique public relations and marketing solutions to a variety of arts and entertainment organizations. Some of his current and past clients include PlayPenn, LiveConnections, Theater with a View, Juniper Productions, The Committee of Seventy’s Voices of Voting, plus the world premiere productions of Amanda Palmer’s JIB and In My Body. Bryan is also a former journalist whose work has appeared in Philadelphia Magazine, OUT, NewNowNext, Billy Penn, and more. Bryan has taught mass communication and writing courses for over ten years at a number of regional colleges, and lives in Philadelphia. Find out more at bryanbuttlermediarelations.com.

Ricki Gever Eisenstein (Manager of Individual Giving) (she/her) is absolutely thrilled to be a part of the Theatre Horizon community. She has a professional background in non-profit management and development, as well as an academic background in dramatic literature and higher education administration. She proudly serves as Board President of Pig Iron Theatre Company and School. Ricki was born and raised in the Philadelphia area, married a Philadelphian, and has 3 very Philly kids (who are growing up and spreading their wings). In her free time, Ricki can be found most often at the theatre, the cinema, the tennis court, Fairmount Park, or watching Philly sports, preferably with family and friends. 

Daniel Kontz (Graphic Designer) (he/hhim) is a designer from London, England, who creates sights and sounds for clients in the theatre industry and beyond.
www.danielkontzdesign.com

Dawn Loveland Navarro (Director of Philadelphia Teaching Artist Institute) (she/her) moved to the Philadelphia area from Connecticut, where she was the Director of Education at Playhouse on Park. She created, oversaw, and taught programs that served approximately 4,000 students per year. In addition to being a theatre educator, Dawn is also a director and a stage manager. Recent Playhouse on Park directing credits include Proof, Oleanna, The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek, and Red Light Winter; plus shows for young audiences including Busytown, Goodnight Moon, Go, Dog. Go!, and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Dawn has stage managed over 30 productions at regional theatres. She was a directing assistant at Berkshire Theatre Festival and traveled to Florida Studio Theatre for theatre education professional development. Dawn is a graduate of Middlebury College. 

Steven P. Nemphos (Webmaster & IT Director) (he/him) has worked with Disney, SeaWorld, Yosemite National Park and many of the region’s professional theaters; both on and off the stage; and, in all major mediums including television, radio and film. Steven lives in Los Angeles where he is pursing an acting career. Broadway: The Big Knife (Assistant Director) at Roundabout Theatre Company under Tony-Award Winner Doug Hughes. BFA, NYU.

Shelby North (Producing Director) (she/they) is a passionate theatre practitioner originally from Atlanta, GA. She works to facilitate dreams coming to life onstage and believes in the power of theatre to change hearts and minds. Previously, she worked as an Equity Stage Manager for theatres including The Alliance Theatre, Berkshire Theatre Group, Delaware Theatre Company, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Quintessence Theatre Group, and The Yale Repertory Theatre. Shelby received her undergraduate degree from College of Charleston and her Master of Fine Arts from Yale School of Drama.

Mydera Taliah Robinson (Director of Community Investment) (she/her) is a writer, visual artist, educator, and TEDx speaker. As the founder of SpeakMeFree Productions, Mydera Taliah has curated events and programming for a wide range of audiences.

A sought-after talent, Mydera has shared the stage with many great artists, speakers, and performers.

Her passion and commitment to excellence has in turn allowed her to become a major presence in the regional arts community. Acting as an educator, consultant, and board member for a diverse list of schools, universities, organizations, and associations, Mydera Taliah is recognized as a leader in her industry.

Mydera Taliah has made it her mission to help others find confidence in their being through the freedom of expression. 

Sunflower B. Rose  (Education Coordinator) (she/ze/he) is blessed to be a Philadelphia-based Theater Maker, Filmmaker, Painter, Teaching Artist, and much more. Recently, Suni has worked as a teaching artist through various Theater Horizon education programs and was privileged to serve as the Autism Drama Program Ambassador on TOWN. Suni is very excited to be joining the Theatre Horizon team as the Education Coordinator. He has also directed Young Money at Azuka Theater, had paintings featured during Philadelphia Theater Company’s Choir Boy, and served as Associate Director for Fairview at the Wilma Theater. Through her production company, OMG! Studios LLC, Suni has produced and featured work in Fade to Black: Issa a Black Philly Film Fest, Sheesh: Issa Blackity Black Joyfest, and Open House @ The Palace. For more about Suni, you can visit zir website, omgstudiosphilly.com or follow her on Instagram @OMGstuidosphilly.

Jonathan Harper Schlieman (General Manager) (he/him)is a theatremaker and educator interested in creating art that feels like a party (but like one you’d actually want to go to). His work has been seen at FringeArts, New York Fringe, The PIT, The Mint, La Mama, The O’Neill Theater Center, Actors Theater of Louisville, and others. He is the Artistic Producer of Shakespeare On Tap, a clown and Shakespeare company. He is thrilled to serve as the General Manager at Theatre Horizon. MFA: Pig Iron/UArts. BA: Hunter College. Alumnus of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the National Theatre Institute Advanced Directors program.

Bo Frazier (Marketing Consultant) (they/them) is a two-time Jeff Award Nominated Theatre Artist interested in traditionally excluded narratives told in extremely imaginative ways. Favorite Directing & Choreography: the 2023 all-trans tick, tick…BOOM! (Jeff Award Nom – Best Director & Best Musical), Botticelli in the Fire (Jeff Award Nom – Best Director & Best Play), Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Men on Boats, and Hit The Wall. They have developed new work at NAMT, Goodman Theatre, American Musical Theatre Project, Dixon Place, Iowa Playwright’s Workshop, London’s National Theatre, and London Theatre Workshop, which they co-founded. As a Marketing Specialist and Producer, they have worked for for Baltimore Center Stage and Victory Gardens Theater where they were one of the remaining full-time staff members fighting for VG to stay alive. MFA Directing – University of Iowa. Represented by Kate Bussert & Bonnie Davis at Bret Adam Ltd. www.bofrazier.com

Gilberto Vega (Director of External Relations) (he/him) is a Costa Rican-American creator, educator, and administrator for music and theatre. Most recently, he served as dramaturg for Theatre Horizon’s production of The Agitators.

Originally hailing from Lancaster, PA, Gilberto was the Education and Community Engagement Director for The Philly POPS and an Arden Professional Apprentice. His recent theatre credits include: Asst. Director for The Wiz (Theatre in the X), Playwright for Miley Vs. Mozart: An Epic Poperatic Smackdown as part of The Vs. Series (Theatre Contra), and Audio Describer at Arden Theatre Company (12 productions!).

Gilberto was a Micro-Resident Artist at the Painted Bride Arts Center and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a recipient of the Wallace Award through Platt Performing Arts House.

Sheridan Merrick (Education Coordinator & Resident Teaching Artist) (she/her) is a writer, composer, filmmaker, and theatre artist & educator based in Philadelphia whose work seeks to reflect our current society and inspire possibilities for a better one. She is currently acting as Assistant Director and Dramaturge for the animated film Jawbone and as Story Editor for the documentary film project 23: The Tale of an Exoneree. Red & Black, the musical she co-conceived with Nick Hatcher, was produced in the 2020 Polyphone Festival of New Musicals and was a finalist for The Civilians’ 2020-2021 R&D Group. Sheridan has been seen as a performer at The Painted Bride Art Center, REV Theatre Company, and in the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, and is a recipient of the Corzo Center Impact Grant alongside Nick Hatcher. She received her BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of the Arts, where she was a recipient of the THEA Award, and acted as administrative assistant to the Head of the Theatre Department at the University of the Arts’ Summer Pre-College Institute. Having spent many years working with children, Sheridan is especially passionate about theatre’s ability to empower young people, emboldening the next generation to tell their own stories and question the ones around them. 

KT (Anti-Oppression Consultant) (she/her) is a Philly-based educator, facilitator, and learner who believes deeply in the power of storytelling to foster healing and create change. Her other true loves include tending to plants, laughing with her chosen family, and finding any excuse to be outside. She is honored to work alongside Theatre Horizon in its mission to create an inclusive home for artists, audiences, and students in the community, and she’d like to thank everyone at Theatre Horizon for welcoming her into this space with open arms and so much love.

Jocelyn Moore (Anti-Oppression Consultant) (she/her) is passionate about people, organizations, and finding that happy place where the two can flourish together to promote racial equity and social justice. Most days, that passion is played out through her work at Teach For America – Greater Philadelphia, where she serves as the Managing Director of People, Culture, & Strategy. However, it was her work as an Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Facilitator that brought her to Theatre Horizon. Jocelyn also serves as the Youth Ministry Director at her church in NJ. She holds a Bachelors in Organizational Leadership, a Masters in Organizational Behavior, and is currently pursuing a Masters in Theological Studies at Palmer Seminary. Jocelyn has loved the theatre since her high school days and is so happy to be back in this new and meaningful capacity.

Tess Mathewson (Production Coordinator) (she/her) is a Philadelphia-based theatre artist who specializes in production and stage management. Winner of the Dr. George B. McDowell Award for Excellence in Theater, Tess holds a BA in Theatre from Goucher College, where she studied performance, directing, design, and stage management. Tess is currently working towards earning her MA in Theatre from Villanova University. She has previously worked with companies such as PlayPenn, Die-Cast, Delaware Shakespeare, and EgoPo Classic Theater.

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