In his role as Creative Executive for Walt Disney Imagineering, Michael is responsible for leading creative development for entertainment experiences for Disney Live Entertainment at Parks, Resorts and Cruise Lines around the world. Michael most recently led creative development for Disneyland’s nighttime spectacular Wondrous Journeys; Momentous at Hong Kong Disneyland and Illuminate at Shanghai Disneyland. Michael also helped guide the first-ever collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering, Drawn to Life,a celebration of animation accentuated by Cirque du Soleil’s acrobatic mastery. Michael led the creative development for several recent new offerings at Walt Disney World such as the Magic Kingdom nighttime spectacular, Happily Ever After; Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular and Disney Movie Magic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios; Rivers of Light, The Tree of Life Awakenings, The Jungle Book: Alive With Magic and the exciting new immersive land Pandora: The World of Avatar, all at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Michael was instrumental in the development of all new shows for the opening of Shanghai Disneyland, bringing to life amazing new experiences that are both authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese, such as the eye-popping acrobatic musical Tarzan: Call of the Jungle. Michael spearheaded the development of all the entertainment programs for Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, the two newest ships of the Disney Cruise Line. Michael's also the creative force behind such Disney park favorites as Mickey and the Magician at Walt Disney Studios Park, Tangled: The Musical on Disney Cruise Line, the delightful Mickey and the Wondrous Book at Hong Kong Disneyland, Mickey and the Magical Map at Disneyland Park, The American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Finding Nemo – The Musical at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Michael served as resident associate director at the Guthrie Theatre under the artistic direction of Garland Wright, earned his MFA from California Institute of the Arts and has produced and directed at The Mark Taper Forum, The Tiffany Theatre, The Matrix, Actor’s Gang, West Coast Ensemble and many others. Michael has also branched into producing, writing and directing for television and film. He was the co-producer for the ACE award winning series Intimate Portrait on Lifetime Television. Michael is a faculty member at California Institute of the Arts.