Theatre Horizon Wins American Theatre Wing National Theatre Company Award

Theatre Horizon, a professional theatre company located in Norristown, Pennsylvania, is one of twelve theatre companies across the nation to be awarded the American Theatre Wing's National Theatre Company Grant. The prestigious $10,000 grant was awarded to Theatre Horizon because of their distinctive mission, audience cultivation, and their ability to nurture a community of artists in ways that strengthen and demonstrate the quality, diversity, and dynamism of American theatre.

"Theatre Horizon is incredibly honored to be counted among such remarkable colleagues and is so grateful to the American Theatre Wing for their support of theatre communities across the country," said Jennifer Pratt Johnson, Executive Director of Theatre Horizon.

"Theater is an integral part of our shared cultural identity throughout the United States, expanding the dialogue between our neighbors and connecting us to one another," said Marva Smalls, Chair of the National Theatre Company Grants committee. "Our selection for this year's grants demonstrates how remarkable companies all across America, from Buffalo to Albuquerque and every place in between, are vital to continuing this venerated tradition."

"The twelve theater companies that we have bestowed with year's grants have demonstrated their invaluable impact on their local communities," said Heather Hitchens, President of the American Theatre Wing. "I am proud to be continuing the Wing's development and outreach to young and established theater companies as they continue to enrich their respective communities by producing outstanding work with these grants."

This year's other Initial Support recipients are: Blackout Theatre Company (Albuquerque, NM), Chicago Children's Theatre (Chicago, IL), Forward Theater Company (Madison, WI), Jewel Theatre Company (Santa Cruz, CA), Road Less Traveled Productions (Buffalo, NY), Short North Stage (Columbus, OH), The Millibo Art Theatre (Colorado Springs, CO), and The Playwrights Realm (New York, NY). The Second-Time Support grant recipients are the following three companies: Ars Nova (New York, NY), Congo Square Theatre Company (Chicago, IL), and The NOLA Project (New Orleans, LA). The prestigious grants totaling $120,000 will be presented on Monday, October 30th at a private event.

Theatre Horizon's 2017-2018 season is a jubilant celebration of "Women Who Dare." The Norristown, Pennsylvania theatre company will present three productions that highlight female protagonists and female heroines, while continuing their ongoing commitment to female writers and directors. The season starts off with a moving story of one family's history and culture that is made huge and universal by the power of theatre. Lisa Kron's 2.5 Minute Ride will have it's Philadelphia-area premiere from October 6 through October 29, 2017. The show is followed in February with The Revolutionists by Lauren Gunderson,? a play about four badass women who lose their heads in an irreverent, woman-powered comedy set during the French Revolution. Finally, the company closes their season with a May/June production of Peter and the Starcatcher, an epic, song-filled adventure that tells the story of how an orphan boy becomes the legendary Peter Pan.

For more information on Theatre Horizon, visit theatrehorizon.org.

ABOUT THEATRE HORIZON: Theatre Horizon (401 DeKalb Street, Norristown, PA) seeks to use theatre to create a community of artists, students, and audiences in which each member is encouraged to grow. In carrying out their mission, Theatre Horizon stages stories that illuminate the full range of human experience, bring people together, connect students with theatre artists, and contribute to the revitalization of their underserved town. They have become a neighborhood anchor and a vibrant hub of activity, staging critically-acclaimed productions and reaching more than 900 children per year through classes, summer camps, and the pioneering Autism Drama Program.

ABOUT THE American Theatre Wing: One hundred years ago, on the eve of America's entry into World War I, seven suffragettes-all women of the theatre-came together to form The Stage Women's War Relief. A century later, the spirit and vision behind the founding of American Theatre Wing remains a touchstone for all we do. The Wing continues to champion bravery, with a focus on developing the next generation of brave artists. The Wing advances the future of American Theatre by celebrating excellence and nurturing the next generation: on stage, behind the scenes, and in the audience. We envision an American Theatre that is as vital, multi-faceted, and diverse as the American people. The Wing's programs span the nation to invest in the growth and evolution of American Theatre. We provide theatre education opportunities for underserved students through the Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative, develop the next generation of theatre professionals through the SpringboardNYC and Theatre Intern Network programs, incubate innovative theatre across the country through the National Theatre Company Grants, foster the song of American Theatre through the Jonathan Larson Grants, honor the best in New York theatrical design with the Henry Hewes Design Award, and illuminate the creative process through the Emmy-nominated "Working in the Theatre" documentary series. In addition to founding the Tony Awards which are co-presented with The Broadway League, the American Theatre Wing co-presents the Obie Awards, Off Broadway's Highest Honor, with The Village Voice

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