Matthew Decker (Interim Artistic Director) (he/him) is the co-founder of Theatre Horizon with Erin Reilly where his directing credits include The Few, A New Brain, Lobby Hero, Into the Woods, Circle Mirror Transformation, and Spring Awakening. For eight seasons he served as the Associate Artistic Director of the Arden Theatre Company where he directed Cabaret, Annie Baker’s John, Gale Childs Daly’s adaptation of Great Expectations, Incorruptible, The Stinky Cheese Man, and Greg Banks’ adaptations of The Jungle Book (world premiere), Pinocchio, and Robin Hood. Other credits include the world premiere of the musical Minors at Lantern Theater Company, Rounding Third at Cardinal Stage, She Loves Me at Villanova University, Sondheim’s Company at 11th Hour, and American Idiot at the University of the Arts. He is currently co-writing the Broadway adaptation of Damien Chazelle’s film La La Land with Ayad Akhtar and the world premiere of Wishing to Grow Up Brightly with Amanda Morton. Matthew is a three-time Barrymore Award winner for directing and a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.

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.

Eliza Waterman (Artistic Associate) (she/her) Eliza started her work at Theatre Horizon as ASM/Covid Compliance Officer for TOWN in 2022 and is so excited to be back working with all the wonderful people here at Theatre Horizon, now as Artistic Associate. Eliza is also an actor, theater artist, and teaching artist based in Philadelphia. She has had the pleasure of acting and collaborating with a variety of other theater companies, including Fever Dream Repertory, The Strides Collective, Delaware Shakespeare Company, Allen’s Lane Theater, and Arden Theatre Company. All the gratitude and love to friends, family, and Dana for the endless support.

Josh Totora (Finance & HHR Manager) is an actor, musician, and composer based out of the Philadelphia/NYC area. He has performed with theaters all over the region including the Walnut Street Theater, Arden Theatre Co., the Wilma Theater, Delaware Theatre Co.,  and Pig Iron Theatre Co. among many others. He is a Barrymore Award nominee for “Outstanding Supporting Actor (Musical)” in Sleeping Beauty: A Musical Panto at People’s Light, and a Barrymore Award winner for “Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical” in Man of La Mancha at Delaware Theatre Company. Josh keeps his craft sharp through continued training at The Barrow Group in NYC with Lee Brock and Seth Barrish, and while training with Magnet Theater became a founding member of indy long-form improv Team NO DUDS.

In addition to acting Josh is a multi-instrumentalist, specializing in hand percussion (namely the doumbek or darbuka). He also plays guitar, banjo, accordion, piano, bass, and all manner of percussion including drum set and mallet percussion. A bit of a band rat, Josh has performed original work with many bands over the years, including bluegrass/indie/folk band The Nimble Cats most recently.

His musical compositions have been featured in productions all over the country with Experiential Theater Co; Florida Rep in Fort Myers, FL; Trike Theater in Bentonville, AR; and the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte in Charlotte, NC. In November 2019, a world premiere of his musical The Invisible Boy  was presented in conjunction with The Kindness Project at the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. He is a Barrymore Award winner for “Outstanding Original Music” for his score of He Who Gets Slapped at Philadelphia Artists’ Collective. Josh has also toured his work internationally across Ireland, including the Baboro International Arts Festival for Children in Galway. 

Mydera Taliah Robinson (Executive Director) (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. 

Seraina Schottland  (Education Manager) (she/her) is a Philadelphia-based songwriter, playwright, vocalist, actor, and educator passionate about increasing theatre education accessibility and fostering students’ mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

She previously worked as the Curriculum Developer and Resident Teaching Artist for Walnut Street Theatre’s Adopt-A-School Program where she taught social-emotional development through arts engagement and helped expand the program to reach more schools in the Philadelphia community.

As a multifaceted artist, Seraina has performed in theatrical productions and major music festivals across the U.S. and internationally with regional appearances at People’s Light, Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia Fringe Festival and more. She is also a co-founder of Id Circo Theatre Group.

She holds a degree in psychology and cognitive neuroscience from George Washington University and is also an alumna of Walnut Street Theatre’s Education Apprenticeship and the Berklee College of Music Performance Program, where she was recognized as one of the top songwriters.

Seraina is honored to continue her work at Theatre Horizon as their Education Manager, cultivating spaces where young people discover their voice through artistic expression and confidently share it within their community.

Jonathan Harper Schlieman (Director of Marketing & Communications) (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/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 queer Costa Rican-American and a creator, educator, and administrator for music, theatre, and—most recently—stand-up comedy. 

A proud “Pennsylrican” originally hailing from Lancaster, PA, his recent theatre credits include: Dramaturg for Gente del sol (PlayPenn); Director for Mozart’s The Magic Flute (Penn Singers Light Opera Company); Dramaturg for TOWN and The Agitators (Theatre Horizon); Asst. Director/ASL Coach 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!). 

As a stand-up comedian, Gilberto has performed at Souletri, Blatinx Night at Sawubona Creativity Project, and Your Sunday Best at Plays & Players. His writing has appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer, Bonaly Reviews, Revarte, La Vida, and Motivos Magazine. 

Gilberto is deeply committed to a more equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible arts community. He is involved in EDIA work with: Theatre Philadelphia; Theatre Horizon; Platt Student Performing Arts House; and the University of Pennsylvania Glee Club, which recently made the transition to a gender-inclusive choir after 159 years as an all-male ensemble. Gilberto serves on the Board of Directors for Theatre Philadelphia, Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia, and Philadelphia Cultural Fund.

Gilberto has curated classes, workshops, and performance opportunities—in both English and Spanish—for youth and adults across the Philadelphia region, where he has connected students with theatre and music leaders, including: Mandy Gonzalez (In the Heights, Hamilton); David Charles Abell (Les Miserables 10th and 25th Anniversary Concerts); Erlina Ortiz & Robi Hager (Siluetas); Todd Ellison; Byron Stripling; and Luis Figueroa.

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 Student Performing Arts House.

Zoë Gilmore(they/she) is a Philadelphia-based theater artist, administrator, stage manager, and audio engineer. Past credits include: Nosejob (Assistant Stage Manager), Carmilla (Stage Manager), PlayPenn (Stage Manager), tick, tick…BOOM! (Assistant Audio Engineer). She is so excited to work with such wonderful people at a wonderful place!

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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Andrew Davis (Patron Outreach and Sales Associate) (he/him) is an enthusiastic arts and culture booster and avid attendee of theatre. Born in Cincinnati, OH and raised in central New Jersey, he is based in Washington, DC. Andrew has worked for more than a decade promoting patron outreach, subscription sales, and development for Quintessence Theatre Group, Theater J, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, and Studio Theatre. Earlier in his career, he served in production and station services for National Public Radio, and in various roles in the public and private sectors promoting economic development in the District of Columbia. Andrew is a graduate of American University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations.