Council Biography

Mr. Schumacher supervises the development and production of all animated features, Disney Video Premieres and television projects for the studio, including such recent films as "Dinosaur," "Toy Story 2," "Tarzan," "A Bug’s Life," "Mulan," "Hercules," "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," "Toy Story" and "Pocahontas," as well as the studio's slate of upcoming projects.

In his theatrical post, he also oversees the development and production of the studio's stage productions. Along with Walt Disney Studios chairman Peter Schneider, he produced the world premiere of the Broadway musical "The Lion King," which garnered six 1998 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Their latest musical, Elton John and Tim Rice's "Aida," opened at the Palace Theatre on Broadway in March 2000, winning the praise of audiences and 4 Tony Awards. They have also supervised the ongoing development of an ambitious slate of Broadway-bound stage projects, including "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," which debuted in Berlin this past June, as well as overseeing the recent restoration of the historic New Amsterdam Theater.

Mr. Schumacher joined Walt Disney Feature Animation in 1988 to produce the animated feature "The Rescuers Down Under (1990), then served as executive producer on Disney's 1994 animated blockbuster, "The Lion King," which became the most successful release in Disney history and one of the highest-grossing films of all time. Following the completion of "The Lion King," Mr. Schumacher was elevated to the role of executive vice president of Feature Animation and Theatrical Productions, a post he held through 1998.

Before joining The Walt Disney Company, Mr. Schumacher enjoyed a distinguished 10-year career in the performing arts. As co-founder and associate director of the acclaimed 1987 Los Angeles Festival of Arts, he was instrumental in presenting the American premiere of Canada's immensely popular Cirque du Soleil.

Prior to the Los Angeles Festival, Mr. Schumacher spent five years on staff at the Los Angeles Music Center's Mark Taper Forum, where he worked on more than 25 productions for the Taper Mainstage, Taper Too (the Forum's second stage) and the Taper's literary cabaret. Additionally, he produced three original productions for the Improvisational Theater Project, the theater's touring program for young audiences.

Mr. Schumacher worked on the 1984 Olympic Arts Festival, served as assistant general manager of the Los Angeles Ballet, and has participated extensively in conferences and on panels relating to the arts and arts policy. A graduate of UCLA, he currently serves on both the Education Council and the Presentations Committee of the Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County, as well as the board of directors of the Rachel Rosenthal Company.

Schumacher, 8/11/00