NORRISTOWN, PENN.: Theatre Horizon’s board of directors has announced that Mydera Taliah Robinson has been appointed executive director. The prior artistic director, Nell Bang-Jensen, left Theatre Horizon in fall 2024 to serve as the CEO of the Philly Fringe Festival. In her new role, Robinson will develop initiatives that elevate local artists, expand access to arts education, and deepen community engagement through self-expression, storytelling, and performance.
“As a Norristown native, Mydera’s journey with Theatre Horizon is a testament to what’s possible when we invest in artists and leaders from within our own community,” said Chad Eric Smith, president of the board of directors, in a statement. “From her early days as an education coordinator to her most recent role as director of community investment, she has been a driving force behind the programs that deepen our impact and expand our reach. Now, as executive director, she will lead us into our next chapter, shaping the future of our organization with bold ideas, strategic vision, and an unwavering commitment to inclusivity and artistic innovation.”
Robinson joined the theatre’s full-time staff in 2019 as education coordinator and was later elevated to director of community investment in 2022. In this role, she spearheaded programs and partnerships that invite community members to actively participate in artmaking and decision-making, instead of being merely spectators. She has been instrumental in expanding Theatre Horizon’s Autism Drama Program and on-site educational programs, along with launching THREAD (Theatre Horizon’s Residency for Educational Artistic Development), the organization’s first residency program to support and amplify BIPOC Norristown-based artists. She has also overseen the community advisory board, ensuring that local voices contribute to the shaping of the theatre’s programming and decision-making.
“I am honored and humbled to step into the role of executive director at Theatre Horizon, a place that has shaped my artistic and professional journey in profound ways,” said Robinson in a statement. “From performing poetry before shows to becoming a teaching artist and then a staff member, this theatre has been more than a workplace—it has been a home. I am excited to carry forward this vision, ensuring Theatre Horizon remains a place of belonging, creativity, and boundless potential for Norristown and beyond.”
Robinson first gained recognition as a spoken word artist, with her debut album Confessions of a Caterpillar earning a nomination for poetry album of the year at the 12th Annual Independent Music Awards. An educator at heart, she has taught creative writing through programs at the University of Pennsylvania and Villanova University, sharing her gift with youth and college-bound students. In 2021, she opened Haya Ground Studio Art Gallery, a creative space in downtown Norristown that helped emerging artists and entrepreneurs grow their reach and bring their visions to life.
Theatre Horizon will soon announce a search for a new artistic director, with details on this position to be announced at a later date. Co-founder and interim artistic director Matthew Decker will continue spearheading artistic initiatives until a new artistic director is hired.
Founded in 2005, Theatre Horizon uses the transformative power of storytelling to foster empathy and to create an inclusive home for artists, audiences, and students alike. As of 2024, they have an operating budget of $1.3 million.
