Pictured: Syren THREAD Artist
Photography by Eli Eisenstein
Theatre Horizon Residency for Educational Artistic Development (THREAD)
2024 THREAD artist:
Nya Green-Harris (aka Syren)
Nya Green-Harris (she/her) known under the alias “Syren”. is a multidisciplinary artist who specializes in music, specifically lyricism. Raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, she has always had a love for music and performance, and has been involved in various areas of the arts since a young age. While she is young and still learning, she hopes that you will enjoy a front row seat to her growth as an artist both on stage and in the recording booth.
Sketch of EP Cover created by Syren
Tell us about yourself
My name is Nya Green-Harris, but as an artist, I go by Syren. I am 24 years old, and a student at West Chester University. When not pursuing my creative/musical endeavors, I am engaging in my other passion, which is helping others.
I have been writing song lyrics since I was in second grade, with my first song being about the loss of a tooth to the tune of “Miss Mary Mack”. Through the years, my taste in music has grown vast and diverse, with influences transcending genre, gender, language and even countries.
It was at Theatre Horizon where I rekindled my love and desire for the creative arts, and where I have still been able to grow as not only an artist, but as a person.
Photography by Eli Eisenstein
Describe your art
I consider myself a multidisciplinary artist, but my main love will always be music. I am a lyricist and vocalist, with a strong desire and curiosity to learn music production. The music that I make usually skews more r&b with tones of hip hop, alt-pop and neo-soul. My lyrics are heavily influenced by how I am feeling and what I want to convey, so the overall tone and vibe of the song differs depending on the subject matter.
What drives me to make my art is my desire to be understood, my desire to understand others, and the freedom that comes with expressing myself on my own terms.
Join Us for Syren’s
THREAD Culminating Event!
June 26, 2025
7:00 PM
Join us for the ground-breaking premiere and release of Syren’s extended play music project, On My Mind, EP. Proudly crafted in Norristown, this project encapsulates the racing thoughts and emotions felt throughout Syren’s tenure as our THREAD (Theatre Horizon Residency for Educational Artistic Development) Artist.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime concert, supported by a live band, a DJ session in the lobby by one of our Autism Drama Program students, appearances by a few familiar Theatre Horizon faces, and overall good vibes.
Activities will be available in the lobby before and after the event. Keep the chill vibes going because CDs will also be available after the event.
All are welcome and encouraged to attend this fabulous event!
THREAD
Application window upcoming, check back here for more information soon.
THREAD, or Theatre Horizon Residency for Educational Artistic Development, has been established to support the creation, development, production, and presentation of one Norristown-based artist of any discipline. THREAD accepts applications in all creative fields, including but not limited to: THEATRE ARTS, DANCE, VISUAL ARTS, WRITING, MUSIC, AND PERFORMANCE.
The residency program offers financial resources, space, time, and feedback on new or continuing artist work and provides networking, teaching, and exhibition opportunities. At the same time THREAD raises interest, awareness and understanding of creative arts, and their impact in communities like Norristown.
Residents will be selected by a panel composed of Theatre Horizon’s newly-formed Community Advisory Board. A designated Project Manager and Residency Consultant will steer the selection process to help ensure accessibility and equity.
The selected artist will receive: a stipend; access to Theatre Horizon’s physical and virtual spaces; and Marketing, Fundraising, and/or Artistic consultations from Theatre Horizon staff. The residency will culminate in a public event to showcase the artistic talents that exist within our Norristown community.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
THREAD aims to strengthen the fibers that bind, bridge, and build the emergence and retention of local talent. We aim to support the overarching objective of making Norristown a leader in our region’s arts ecosystem, making Norristown a destination for prospective artists, and amplifying the work of artists of color from within the Norristown community.
HISTORICALLY EXCLUDED COMMUNITIES
From conversations with community stakeholders, we have learned there is currently a gap in residency opportunities and professional development for Norristown raised and/or -based artists. Norristown is comprised of 70% Black and Brown people. The intention of THREAD is to create an opportunity for these historically excluded communities and reflect the makeup of Norristown. Therefore, priority will be given to self-identified Black and Latinx residents of Norristown.
For questions and more information, please email our Director of Community Investment at mydera@theatrehorizon.org
See more from THREAD 2023
Resident ArtistDeej Cert
For questions and more information, please email our Director of Community Investment at mydera@theatrehorizon.org
Frequently Asked Question
Theatre Horizon Residency for Educational Artistic Development (THREAD)
What is THREAD?
THREAD, or Theatre Horizon Residency for Educational Artistic Development, has been established to support the creation, development, production, and presentation of one Norristown-based artist of any discipline. THREAD accepts applications in all creative fields, including but not limited to: THEATRE ARTS, DANCE, VISUAL ARTS, WRITING, MUSIC, AND PERFORMANCE.
The residency program offers financial resources, space, time, and feedback on new or continuing artist work and provides networking, teaching, and exhibition opportunities. At the same time THREAD raises interest, awareness and understanding of creative arts, and their impact in communities like Norristown.
Residents will be selected by a panel composed of Theatre Horizon’s newly-formed Community Advisory Board. A designated Project Manager and Residency Consultant will steer the selection process to help ensure accessibility and equity.
The selected artist will receive: a stipend; access to Theatre Horizon’s physical and virtual spaces; and Marketing, Fundraising, and/or Artistic consultations from Theatre Horizon staff. The residency will culminate in a public event to showcase the artistic talents that exist within our Norristown community.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
THREAD aims to strengthen the fibers that bind, bridge, and build the emergence and retention of local talent. We aim to support the overarching objective of making Norristown a leader in our region’s arts ecosystem, making Norristown a destination for prospective artists, and amplifying the work of artists of color from within the Norristown community.
HISTORICALLY EXCLUDED COMMUNITIES
From conversations with community stakeholders, we have learned there is currently a gap in residency opportunities and professional development for Norristown raised and/or -based artists. Norristown is comprised of 70% Black and Brown people. The intention of THREAD is to create an opportunity for these historically excluded communities and reflect the makeup of Norristown. Therefore, priority will be given to self-identified Black and Latinx residents of Norristown.
What is the duration of this residency?
THREAD 2023: During Theatre Horizon’s 2023/24 Season from September 2023 – June 2024.
THREAD 2024: During Theatre Horizon’s 2024/25 Season from September 2024 – June 2025.
Who is eligible?
Eligible applicants to THREAD 2024 must meet the following criteria:
- Be 18 or older
- Be Norristown-based
- Priority will be given to Black and Latinx Norristown residents
How can I apply?
Applicants can apply online via Theatre Horizon’s online submission form.
The application portal will open on March 15, 2024. The application portal will remain open through April 15 2024 at 11:59PM.
The application process is in two stages:
Round 1: All applications will be reviewed by the Selection Panel*
Round 2: Finalists may be asked for an interview to be scheduled from April-May 2024.
*The Selection Panel will be composed of Norristown residents who Theatre Horizon is contracting to adjudicate*
Adjudication Process:
Each application receives a numerical score between 1 and 5 based on the panel’s assessment of each of the following components:
The 5 C’s:
Criteria – Norristown Based. Priority will be given to Black and Latinx residents of Norristown
Creativity – Have you identified a unique artistic opportunity?
Context – What is the story behind your art, or the story you seek to tell?
Connection – What is your personal and/or artistic connection to Norristown?
Culmination – what type of public presentation and/or culminating event would you use the allotted funds and support for?
What will Theatre Horizon provide?
We will provide SPACE:
Support for the growth of local emerging artists through a lens of antiracism.
Paid opportunities for a Norristown artist to make art in their community. ($3000 stipend directly to the artist, plus financial support towards their culminating event).
Access to Theatre Horizon as a resource for: artist incubation, marketing and/or fundraising support; professional development; and mentorship.
Creative community for Norristown-based artists to learn, develop, workshop, produce, and present their work.
Expanded Audience through increased representation of Norristown artists from communities that have been historically-excluded and historically-underrepresented
.
What do we expect of the THREAD artist?
What do we expect of the artist?
- Seed ideas for a culminating public event
- Resident Artist must provide testimonials on the residency experience to inform programmatic improvement.
- A communicative and collaborative relationship with Theatre Horizon throughout the residency period including regular monthly check-ins
- Photo/Video permission to document residency experience