Gilberto Vega

Gilberto Vega is a queer Pennsylrican and a creator, educator, and administrator for music, theatre, and—most recently—stand-up comedy. He currently serves as the Director of External Relations at Theatre Horizon in Norristown.

Originally hailing from Lancaster, PA, his recent theatre credits include: Director for NeuroSpeak (Power Street Theatre); Stage Manager for The Machu Picchu Play (Power Street Theatre); Dramaturg for Alma (Passage Theatre Company); 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!).

Gilberto has curated classes, workshops, and performance opportunities—in both English and Spanish—for youth across the Philadelphia region, where he has connected students with theatre and music leaders, including: Mandy Gonzalez; David Charles Abell; Todd Ellison; Erlina Ortiz; Robi Hager; Byron Stripling; and Luis Figueroa.

As a stand-up comedian, Gilberto has performed at: Punch Line Philly; Souletri at Two Locals and Izlas Latin Cuisine; Your Sunday’s Best at Plays and Players; Tavern on Camac; Sawubona Creativity Project; and Esperanza Health Center. Gilberto made his New Jersey debut at AC Jokes in Resorts Casino. His writing has appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer, Bonaly Reviews, Revarte, and Motivos Magazine.

As a Costa Rican-American and the son of an immigrant, Gilberto is deeply committed to a more equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible arts community. He has been 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 has served on the Board of Directors for Theatre Philadelphia, Philadelphia Cultural Fund, and the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia with an emphasis on strategic planning, community-centric fundraising, and innovative approaches to artmaking and decision-making.

Gilberto is proud to be a member of the Philly Latine Theatre Alliance. 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.