Disney Live Entertainment Creative Director Susana Tubert Will Receive 2023 Thea Catalyst Award

Recognizing her innovative contributions to the theater and entertainment industry at large, Susana Tubert, Creative Director, Disney Live Entertainment, at Disneyland Resort, will receive the prestigious 2023 Thea Catalyst Award granted by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), the world's leading organization representing global creators of themed entertainment and experiences.

As described by its founding organization, "The Thea Catalyst Award is reserved for an individual who has achieved a real and positive impact on the culture of our industry, and who inspires and empowers those who create compelling places and experiences."

Matt Conover, vice president of Live Entertainment for Disneyland Resort, said, "We, at Disney Live Entertainment, are incredibly proud of Susana's tenure at Disney and believe this recognition speaks to the creativity and intention she brings to each of her artistic endeavors. Susana's many years of festival curation and theater experience, coupled with her time at Disney has resulted in shows, experiences and attractions that tell stories in even more rich and captivating ways."

Born in Argentina, Susana's career in the theater began as a New York actor in the 1980's. She later became a noted stage director of new award-winning plays and musicals in New York and regional theaters, and writer/director of the short film "Gypsy Girl." In 2005 she co-founded and became Executive Director of the Latino International Theater Festival of New York and its signature global event TeatroStageFest which featured groundbreaking productions from New York, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Spain. In 2013 she joined Disney Live Entertainment at Disneyland Resort, in her current leadership role as Creative Director.

Fri Forjidam, Chief Development Officer, Mycotoo & Chair Thea Awards Committee, stated: "A dreamer and doer, Susana's inspirational and forward thinking, has led to the measurable impact in themed entertainment by inspiring creative teams to realize and deliver the creation of unique, thoughtful and inclusive story-driven experiences. She leads by example from an impressive track record in her career as an innovative storyteller who taps into the human experience and is unafraid to take risks -- she is a definitive exemplar of what a true catalyst inspires, and will continue to challenge the status quo with authenticity, unicorn essence and an inclusive worldbuilding point of view as the new bar in storytelling for our industry."

As Creative Director at Disneyland Resort, Susana plays a key role in strategic planning and artistic leadership to a world-class team of dedicated professionals. From ideation through creative development and production, she spearheads innovative projects from the page to the stage, including: multimedia and fireworks spectaculars, parades, stage productions, character experiences, immersive cultural festivals, interactive art installations, and other special events across the resort. Susana is also known for inspiring artistic storytelling with an emphasis on relevancy, so guests of all backgrounds see themselves reflected across Disney Live Entertainment.

Signature offerings developed by Susana and her teams include: "Tale of the Lion King" (2022 AAIAPE Brass Ring Award for Best Theatrical Production), Main Street Electrical Parade 50th anniversary edition and new grand finale (2022 Thea Classic Award), "Together Forever - A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular," "Disney ¡Viva Navidad!," "Disney Festival of Holidays," "Disney Pop-Up! A Celebration of Mickey Mouse," Plaza de la Familia, Lunar New Year Celebration, and "Celebrate Soulfully," among others. Susana also collaborates with Walt Disney Imagineering, and is an active contributor to Bob Iger's Creative Inclusion Council and other company wide diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

A member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and the Directors Guild of America, Susana was recognized with a Theater Communications Group/National Endowment for the Arts Directing Fellowship, as well as the Bobby Capó Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to arts and culture in the State of New York. Most recently, she was named one of "125 most influential people for 2022" by Orange County Register.

Susana will formally receive the prestigious 2023 Thea Catalyst Award at the Thea Awards Gala on Saturday, April 15. She will also take the stage on April 13th, to share her personal and professional journey at the Catalyst Recipient Spotlight that opens TEA INSPIRE, a two-day event that will celebrate excellence in themed entertainment across the globe, offering attendees a fully immersive networking and educational experience and lasting inspiration.

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