The 2026 Drama Desk Awards will honor former Disney Theatrical Group president Tom Schumacher with the Harold S. Prince Award. Schumacher, who worked in various divisions of the Walt Disney Company for nearly 40 years, has headed production of Disney’s theatrical musicals throughout the world, including the Broadway runs of “The Lion King,” “Aida,” “Tarzan,” “Mary Poppins,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Newsies,” “Aladdin” and “Frozen.”
Schumacher joined Disney Animation in 1988 and later became president of the studio. He served as Disney Theatrical Group’s president from 2001 until 2023, and its chief creative officer until 2025, when he stepped down from the position. Schumacher is also a member of the Entertainment Community Fund’s Chairman’s Council, and previously served as chair of the Broadway League, president of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, a member of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts’ board of directors, a mentor for the Theatre Development Fund’s Open Doors Program and an adjunct professor at Columbia University.
Schumacher has earned a collective three Tony Award nominations for Best Musical (“Newsies,” “Aladdin” and “Frozen”) and three Drama Desk nominations for Outstanding Musical (“Mary Poppins,” “Newsies” and “Aladdin”). Of course, Disney’s “The Lion King” took home the Tony for Best Musical.
“Tom Schumacher’s decades of visionary leadership have left a lasting impact on the New York, American and global theater communities,” said Drama Desk co-presidents David Barbour and Charles Wright in a joint statement. “His transformational leadership helped revitalize Times Square, redefine what theater can be, influence the education of generations of theatermakers and expand the global reach of Broadway. The impact of his work on Broadway and beyond make him a truly fitting recipient for this honor, particularly in a year when the Drama Desks are celebrating the legacy of the entire theater community.”
The 70th annual Drama Desk Awards will be held at 7:30 p.m. on May 17, taking place at the Town Hall.
