Thomas Schumacher
Thomas Schumacher | |
---|---|
Walt Disney Feature Animation | |
In office January 1999 – 2002 | |
Preceded by | Peter Schneider |
Succeeded by | David Stainton |
Personal details | |
Born | Thomas Hubbard Caswell Schumacher III December 5, 1957 Glendale, California, U.S. |
Spouse |
Matthew White (m. 2012) |
Occupation | Theatrical producer |
Thomas Schumacher (born December 5, 1957) is a film and theatrical producer, currently president of Disney Theatrical Group,[1] the theatrical production arm of The Walt Disney Company.
Life and career
Schumacher studied theatre at
With The Lion King under consideration for the next Broadway adaptation, Eisner ceded Disney Theatrical Productions to theatre-rooted Disney Animation president Peter Schneider and Schumacher, at their request, making them president and executive vice president of DTP, respectively.[5] In 1994, Schumacher said that handing over the reins of the film to producer Don Hahn was painful. However, he was proud of the musical partnership between lyricist Tim Rice and singer Elton John whose songs "soar" through the film, although he was initially unsure of hiring John because he thought he was too big of a name. Schneider, through whom Schumacher got his job, described him as successful and arguing he has "great taste". Schumacher also said that he loathed saying there were gay characters because people will want him to "go backward and point them out". He further noted that Jeffrey Katzenberg asked if any of the gay references in the 1992 film Aladdin offended him, and he said the references were in "good fun", remarking that they should not deny that "swishy fashion designers" exist.[6]
Schneider was promoted to
After producing dozens of films, Schumacher left
He transitioned to solely focus on the growing theatrical business as its head. He is a member of the board of trustees for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS,
On February 21, 2018, The Wall Street Journal reported that Schumacher was the subject of an internal investigation at Disney into inappropriate behavior, with eyewitness accounts detailing aggressive sexual language and intimidation dating back to the 1990s. This reportedly included remarks toward male employees, including comments about the "sexual prowess of black men". It was also said that he denied the accusations and committed to being "more mindful and adhering to company policies going forward."[16][17]
Schumacher has worked with The Walt Disney Company since 1988 and currently serves as President of Disney Theatrical Group.[1]
Publications
Schumacher is the author of the book How Does the Show Go On? An Introduction to the Theater (Disney Editions, 2007; 2019).[18]
Personal life
In June 1994, Schumacher told
In November 2012, Schumacher married White, his longtime partner and interior designer.[20]
References
- ^ a b Zinoman, Jason (May 23, 2004). "The Tony Awards". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
- ^ a b "Thomas Schumacher". American Theatre Wing. Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
- ^ UCLA. May 22, 2015. Archivedfrom the original on April 23, 2022. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
- ^ "The man who ran Disney Animation in the 90's explains how Toy Story happened". Radio National. October 12, 2017. Archived from the original on December 23, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
- ^ Singer, Barry (October 4, 1998). "Theater; Just Two Animated Characters, Indeed". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 13, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
- The Advocate: 66–71.
- ^ Simonson, Robert (January 12, 1999). "Thomas Schumacher Promoted to Co-President of Disney Theatricals". Playbill. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
- ^ "Disney Creates New Theatre Division, Hyperion Theatricals". Playbill. January 31, 2000. Archived from the original on October 14, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
- ^ Lyman, Rick (June 21, 2001). "Chairman of Disney's Studios Resigns to Return to Broadway". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
- ^ Varrier, Richard (June 21, 2001). "Disney Chief Quits for Run on Broadway". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 23, 2022. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
- ^ Armstrong, Josh (July 30, 2012). "Director Barry Cook remembers the Peoples of Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida". Animated Views. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
In October 2002, Thomas Schumacher announced he would be leaving Walt Disney Feature Animation.
- ^ Godfrey, Leigh (January 3, 2003). "David Stainton Named President, Disney Feature Animation". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on March 21, 2022. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
- ^ "Test of Celebrating 25 Magical Years of Disney on Broadway". Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Archived from the original on April 23, 2022. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
- ^ "TDF Salutes Thomas Schumacher and Disney Theatrical Tonight". Playbill. March 14, 2016. Archived from the original on February 27, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
- The City University of New York. Archivedfrom the original on April 23, 2022. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
- ^ Fritz, Ben (February 21, 2018). "At Straitlaced Disney, a Star Producer's R-Rated Behavior Draws Complaints". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
- ^ Galuppo, Mia (February 21, 2018). "Disney Theatrical Chief Thomas Schumacher Accused of Harassment". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 23, 2022. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
- Disney Publishing. Archivedfrom the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
- The Advocate: 64–65, 71.
- Huffington Post. Archivedfrom the original on October 19, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.