Career Snapshot
Marilyn has conceived and created a vast number of award-winning events and family entertainment shows for world-class theatrical companies, corporate entertainment firms, and the world’s most elite family entertainment event companies. Show Director highlights include three Presidential Inaugural Galas, five Super Bowl Halftime Shows, the stage direction and choreography of the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular in New York City, the conception and direction of Atlanta’s Olympic Entertainment, four national tours of “Sesame Street Live,” the musical special effects show “Boardwalk” at Caesar’s in Atlantic City, the writing and direction of multiple hit shows for Disney and Princess Cruise Lines, the creation and direction of the World Cup Opening Ceremonies, and the staging of the smash-hit Broadway revival and national tour of “Peter Pan” starring Cathy Rigby.
As a global creative director, Marilyn continues to conceive and guide the creative for some of the largest live and televised events in the world. Past and present achievements include the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade, the Special Olympics and Senior Olympics Opening Ceremonies, Statehood Celebrations for Texas and Alaska, the "Make 'Em Laugh" Musical Spectacular for NBC, the Osmond Family Television Christmas Specials, “America’s Greatest Game” (Major League Baseball), the international tour "Jesus Was His Name” for Radio City Music Hall, and “Rocket Power”, a stunt spectacular for Clear Channel Entertainment.
As a Disney Imagineer and Executive Creative Director for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Entertainment, Marilyn was responsible for overseeing the live entertainment creative development for Disneyland, Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris. As both a writer and director, Marilyn led the creative genesis and development for a multitude of Disney’s landmark theme park entertainment events and live shows, in addition to conceiving and staging dozens of Disney Studio marketing extravaganzas and target market exhibitions. Her experience includes the creation of holiday extravaganzas, film premieres, stage and sky spectaculars, patriotic celebrations, international festivals, guest celebrity acts, musical dinner theater productions, musical television specials and multiple Disney and Pixar Studios national tours.
Directorial highlights include the Grand Opening of the Disney Cruise Line and the Disney Aulani Resort, the creative direction for the Hollywood Bowl Disney Symphonic Spectacular, developing content for the Pirates of the Caribbean global brand, the staging of several Emmy-winning, Disney Christmas and Easter television specials for ABC, the writing and creative direction of the recently honored “Mickey and the Magician” musical stage spectacular at Disneyland Paris, and the production of a star-studded, record-breaking gala for the Walt Disney Family Museum.
Retiring from a full-time position with Disney, Marilyn accepted a consultant position as a Creative Director for NBCUniversal Global Brand Entertainment. In that role, she shepherded the development of numerous creative live entertainment projects, overseeing the creative development of the recent national tour "Trolls Live!".
Marilyn's recent career work includes the opening of the new indoor Warner Brothers’ theme park in Abu Dhabi, the authorship of a unique theatrical stunt show highlighting the 100th anniversary of Zorro, an original musical revue based on the WWII poster girl Rosie the Riveter, the 30th Anniversary Celebration of “The Little Mermaid” starring Jody Benson, a sold-out spectacular celebration of the music of Disney's live action film "Aladdin", and several new thematic parades for Cedar Fair, including the star-studded 150th Anniversary of Cedar Point in Ohio.
Marilyn is a graduate of the University of Redlands with advanced degrees in English Literature and Theater Arts, and an honorary doctorate degree from her beloved alma mater. Recently moving to beautiful Bend, Oregon with Steve Carroll, her long-time husband and the president of their full-service entertainment and event firm, Creative Development International, Marilyn has happily returned to freelance work. Marilyn and Steve have two grown children and five terrific grandchildren.
On a personal note, Marilyn is a passionate skier, honky-tonk piano player, and the world’s worst cook. She heartily recommends dining out.
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Marilyn Magness
Marilyn@creativedevelopmentinternational.com
562-556-3584