Atlanta's Contemporary Theatre

Now in our 28^th season, Horizon Theatre Company has been bringing exciting area and world premieres of contemporary plays to Atlanta's audiences under the leadership of Co-Artistic Directors and Founders Lisa and Jeff Adler since 1983.  A professional theatre with a reputation for excellent ensemble acting, Horizon produces outstanding new plays by today's playwrights that reflect and challenge the lives of the diverse people living in the urban Southeast. Horizon has introduced Atlanta audiences to the works of such well-known contemporary playwrights as Rebecca Gilman, Wendy Wasserstein, David Hare, Terrence McNally, and David Ives, as well as plays by talented emerging writers.  In addition to producing its five-play mainstage season, Horizon also develops new plays through workshops, readings, and through our annual New South Play Festival, dedicated to plays from, for, and/or about the South. Horizon develops new audiences and artists through the Horizon Playwriting Education programs, and Senior Citizen Ensemble programs.  Horizon's home is an intimate 172-seat theatre located in Atlanta's eclectic Little Five Points business and arts district.

Horizon’s mission is to be a dynamic leader in the production and development of professional contemporary theatre in the Southeast. We passionately connect our audiences to accessible and relevant plays that are new to our region. We also cultivate diverse new artists and audiences for contemporary theatre through innovative artistic development, education and outreach programs.

• Horizon's productions are entertaining, thought-provoking and relevant to urban Southern audiences.
• Horizon provides an intimate environment where diverse audiences can truly feel part of the theatrical experience.
• Horizon provides an artistic home where a core group of local theatre artists can grow, develop and interact with regional, national and international artists.

Horizon's Programs:

• A five play mainstage season of contemporary plays which are presented for over 180 performances per year in Horizon's 175-seat theatre.
• The annual Horizon New South Play Festival, which is dedicated to plays for, from, or about the South. The festival produces and develops new plays about the South and plays by writers who currently reside or have roots in the South.
• The Playwriting Education programs which offer opportunities to students and emerging playwrights to work with theatre professionals. Programs include the New South Young Playwrights Festival and Contest and the Horizon Young Playwrights In-School Programs which offer playwriting classes in elementary, middle, and high schools around Atlanta.

Highlights of Horizon's 28-year history

Artistic Achievements:

10 Suzi Awards in 2011
Including Outstanding Production of a Musical for Avenue Q
as well as
Outstanding Director of a Musical, Music Director, Scenic Design, Lighting Design, Lead Actor in a Musical, and Featured Actress in a Musical for
Avenue Q

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play (Eric J. Little, Superior Donuts)

Gene-Gabriel Moore Playwriting Award (Margaret Baldwin, Night Blooms)

Sunday Paper nominations for
"Best Production" and "Best Theatre Company"

Suzi Award for Shakin' the Mess Outta Misery
"2010 Outstanding Production - Play"

"In seeking out literature that enlightens us about the world beyond
our borders, Horizon has done a vast community service"
- The Atlanta Journal Constitution, 2007

The AJC named Horizon’s 2007 production of 9 Parts of Desire
"The Best Show in Town”

The Sunday Paper named Co-Artistic Director Lisa Adler
Top 10 Directors in Atlanta of 2007

Creative Loafing’s “Best Theatre Company 2002, Critic’s Choice”

Atlanta Magazine's "Best Place to See a New Play," 2000

Atlanta Press's "Best Place to See a Play" 1999

Creative Loafing's Reader's Choice for "Best Theatre"

1998 Southern Voice Best Production & Best Director
for Skylight & Lisa Adler

Selected by the Cultural Olympiad to present a contemporary work
as part of the Olympic Arts Festival

80 Atlanta and Southeastern premieres produced since our founding in 1983, including 13 world premieres many of which progressed to regional productions around the country

FINANCIAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• During its entire history, Horizon Theatre Company has never operated at a deficit and has an operating reserve fund.
• Received Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund grant twice and is part of the Loridans/Trammell Foundation Theatre Initiative Grant
• Horizon's Artistic Directors, Lisa and Jeff Adler, received the 1999 Abby Award for Arts Professionals of the Year and were named 1999 Lexus Leaders of the Arts by WABE
• Budget has grown from an initial $15,000 to nearly $1,000,000
• Subscribers have increased from 150 to 2000
• Audiences have increased from 2,000 to 30,000 annually
• Major funders include the Fulton County Arts Council, Georgia Council for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts
• Horizon is governed by a 17-25 member Board of Directors and run by eight full-time staff members.
• Weekend performances are regularly sold out; average attendance is greater than 70% of capacity.