After 26 years running Disney Theatrical Group, producer Thomas Schumacher is stepping down as its chief creative officer.
Thomas Schumacher Exiting Disney Theatrical Group
According to Variety, Schumacher’s exit was announced by Disney Entertainment co-chair Alan Bergman via a studio-wide memo on September 3. Schumacher will step down at the end of the month. Managing director Andrew Flatt and executive producer Anne Quart will take over as leaders of Disney Theatrical Group, still reporting to Cathleen Taff, Disney Entertainment’s president of production, franchise management, and theatrical distribution.
In a statement, Schumacher said, “Thirty-eight years ago when Peter Schneider at Disney Animation asked me to produce The Rescuers Down Under, I had no idea it would lead to four decades working with some of the most exceptional creative artists in the world — both in animation and theatre. I’m proud that Disney Theatrical will be in the extraordinarily capable hands of Andrew Flatt and Anne Quart, with whom I’ve worked for over 20 years. I can’t wait to see how they lead this peerless organization forward.”
Bergman said Schumacher “will continue shaping the face of the global theatrical landscape as a behind-the-scenes force focused on the next generation of artists and audiences” and will continue to consult with Disney Theatrical during the transition.
As Schumacher alluded to, he joined Disney Animation with production of The Rescuers Down Under. In 1999, he was named president of Disney Animation and co-president of Disney Theatrical. He shifted to exclusively overseeing the theatrical division in 2002 and led Disney Theatrical for most of its existence.
Bergman said Schumacher also “has grown Disney on Ice, pioneered sensory-friendly Broadway shows, and developed an expansive program to enable schools to produce Disney musicals on their own stages. He has been a tireless supporter, advocate, and leader of the theatre community, playing a key role in turning Broadway’s lights back on during the unprecedented pandemic shutdown. It’s a truly remarkable record.”
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