User:SusanaTubert/sandbox

Susana Tubert (born November 11) is Creative Director, Disney Live Entertainment at Disneyland Parks & Resorts in Anaheim, California. Prior to joining The Walt Disney Company in 2013, she was the Executive Director and co-Founder with Jose W. Fernandez[1], of the Latino International Theater Festival of New York, Inc., where she curated groundbreaking theater, music and dance performances from Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain and New York City for its signature event TeatroStageFest. Tubert also oversaw the organization's production, marketing and fundraising efforts and its educational year-round programs. In 2007, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the inaugural festival at a press conference held at the Joseph Papp Public Theater and by 2008, the city wide TeatroStageFest was adopted as an Official Event of the City of New York.

In 2008 Tubert was one of five recipients of the Annual Latino Heritage and Culture Award. At the event, New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. said, “Under Ms. Tubert’s leadership, TeatroStageFest has become the largest Latino theater festival in the Northeastern United States, showcasing 17 events and 37 performances in 10 different venues in Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx. For her efforts to turn New York City into ‘the capital of teatro,’ I am pleased to present this award to Susana Tubert[2].”

Throughout her extensive career in the Entertainment Industry, Tubert developed and directed premieres of award winning plays and musicals in New York and at major regional theaters in the United States. In 1991-1992 she was of six emerging directors to receive the National Endowment for the Arts/Theater Communications Group Director Fellowship. She also wrote, directed and produced the short film Gypsy Girl and directed a daytime drama, in addition to being a playwright, screenwriter, composer, dramaturg, journalist and actor, as well as twice a visiting professor at Dartmouth College, New York University, and as guest artist in Tony Morrison's Atelier at Princeton University, alongside Gabriel Garcia Marquez in 1998.

Recognizing her innovative spirit and multiple accomplishments in the field, Tubert was awarded the 2023 Thea Catalyst Award by the Themed Entertainment Association, "reserved for an individual who has achieved a real and positive impact on the culture of our industry."[3] 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."[4]

Additionally, the “Main Street Electrical Parade” received the Thea Classic Award as it celebrated its 50th anniversary with a brand new Finale; and "Tale of the Lion King" was honored with the IAAPA Brass Ring Award for Best Theatrical Production at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo. Barbara Bouza, president, Walt Disney Imagineering, said “[5]As our Imagineering and Live Entertainment teams continue to deliver magic and inspire humanity, it’s an honor to be recognized by our colleagues and friends around the world. I’d also like to give a special shout-out to this year’s Thea Catalyst Award recipient, Susana Tubert, who continues to be an influential and inspiring leader.”

Tubert's leadership at the Disneyland Resort has inspired creative development from the stage to the page of popular multimedia and fireworks spectaculars, attractions, multicultural festivals and celebrations, parades, immersive shows, stage productions, a pop-up museum, character experiences, and more. Her career achievements were recognized by The Los Angeles Times in a feature titled "Meet one of Disneyland’s leaders in bringing diverse, adventurous entertainment to the parks"[6] As a member of the Creative Inclusion Council led by Disney CEO Bob Iger; the Creative Council led by Bob Wise, former President of Walt Disney Imagineering; and the Disney Live Entertainment Inclusion Advisory Council led by Senior Vice President David Lightbody, Tubert is proud of her contributions to the evolving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices and strategies.

Early life and education
Susana Tubert was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she began to study dance at age five and piano by the time she was seven. She continued dancing, choregraphing and singing in community theater productions and annual on-stage performances by the school chorus at the American Community School of Buenos Aires, also known as Lincoln High School. In 1977 she immigrated with her family to Long Island and went to Bennington College in Vermont, and after completing an exchange program at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, she transferred to Columbia University and then to New York University, setting in Manhattan in 1980.