Disney's Michael Barra Launches New Production Company STAGEWORKS MEDIA

Media Executive Michael Barra announces the launch of STAGEWORKS MEDIA, a multi-platform Production Company focused on adapting content for stages around the globe, and developing theatrical-inspired stories for film, TV, digital, and publishing.

STAGEWORKS MEDIA will be developing new work for the stage, connecting large, branded intellectual property owners -- film studios, music publishers, book publishers, etc. -- with the thriving theatrical licensing marketplace. Allowing content owners to activate their otherwise dormant library assets, STAGEWORKS MEDIA will work with these companies to select properties to develop as stage musicals, with a special focus on the regional, community, university and high school theatre licensing markets. They will also in turn package those resulting new musicals for a life in TV and film.

Michael Barra most recently launched and ran Daryl Roth Theatrical Licensing with award-winning Broadway producer Daryl Roth -- to whom he remains an advisor. Previously, Michael led the business development and franchise management functions for Disney Theatricals, where he led a multi-year assessment on the global theatrical licensing marketplace and the opportunities within it. Prior to that, he worked at The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank where he led a Strategic Initiatives team in the office of the CFO charged with managing the revenue growth portfolio of the film studio, including exploring new ways of monetizing the film library. Prior to Disney, Michael worked 7 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Boston and New York, and has also served as the Co-Artistic Director of Off-Broadway's critically acclaimed Gotham Stage Company since 2005.

"Because my career has been split between Hollywood and New York theatre, I've been fortunate enough to have been provided with a unique vantage point, seeing first-hand the market opportunity that exists between the two. I created STAGEWORKS MEDIA to be a bridge between content and distribution, whether from film or music catalogs to stage, or from stage to screen. I feel confident that STAGEWORKS MEDIA can play a significant role in matching proven market demand with existing library assets," says Mr. Barra, STAGEWORKS MEDIA's founder and C.E.O."

STAGEWORKS MEDIA's initial projects in development include the musicals ROMEO AND JULIET AND CHUCK and CYRANO DE BURGERSHACK by Jeremy Desmon, MY SUPER SENIOR YEAR and EVERYBODY DANCE NOW by Marshall Pailet, and an untitled "Girl Power" musical by Eric Price. The musicals will primarily use new arrangements of classic pop songs by special arrangement with music publishing companies. These initial titles will be bundled under the "Stageworks Collection" brand umbrella, but several private-label collection arrangements with branded content owners will be announced imminently.

STAGEWORKS MEDIA's executive offices will be located at 250 West 57th Street, Suite 901, New York, NY 10707.