Disney Theatrical Group (DTG) has announced chief creative officer Thomas Schumacher will step down at the end of September. Schumacher previously served as DTG president for over two decades and shifted to the CCO role in 2023.
During his tenure with DTG, Schumacher led the development, creation and production of two of the longest-running shows in Broadway history, “The Lion King” and “Aladdin,” as well as the Main Stem and global productions of “Mary Poppins,” “Newsies,” “Frozen,” “Aida, “The Little Mermaid” and “Tarzan.” DTG productions have earned a total of 20 Tony Awards, played 28,000 Broadway performances and welcomed 240 million global admissions.
But Schumacher’s history with Disney precedes the company’s presence on Broadway. Schumacher was originally hired by Disney Animation as producer on the 1990 animated feature film “The Rescuers Down Under,” eventually becoming president of the studio. During that time, Disney made its Broadway debut, initially under the name Walt Disney Theatrical, with the 1994 bow of the stage musical adaptation of “Beauty and the Beast.”
Walt Disney Theatrical became DTG in 1996, and Schumacher was named its executive vice president, then co-president (alongside Peter Schneider), before assuming the title of president in 2001. In 2023, Schumacher transitioned to his current role of chief creative officer, with Andrew Flatt and Anne Quart taking the reins of DTG as managing director and executive producer, respectively.
“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 theater,” Schumacher said in a statement. “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.”
Following his departure, Schumacher will continue to consult for DTG. As managing director Flatt will continue to lead strategy and business operations for DTG, while Quart will continue to oversee creative and production for DTG mountings as executive producer. Flatt and Quart will continue to report to Cathleen Taff, president of distribution, franchise management and audience insight at the Walt Disney Company.
“The Lion King” is currently running at the Minskoff Theatre, and “Aladdin” is currently running at the New Amsterdam Theatre, both produced on Broadway by DTG.
