Preston Copley Named New Director of Creative Development for Theater at Jean Doumanian Productions

Preston Copley, formerly of Disney Theatrical Group, where he served directly under President Thomas Schumacher on the gamut of the commercial producer's Global productions, has joined Jean Doumanian Productions as Director of Creative Development for Theater, working alongside Jean Doumanian, and Vice President, Patrick Daly. In his new position, Copley will be identifying existing work and developing new theatrical content for commercial productions on and off-Broadway, and for audiences abroad.

"I am fiercely committed to developing projects for the stage, and Preston is going to be instrumental in that mission," said Doumanian. "His years at Disney have provided him with valuable experience on the front lines of a range of productions, and I'm excited to put that experience to work here at JDP."

"I couldn't be more delighted to be joining Jean Doumanian's tremendous team in this new role," said Copley. "It is beyond thrilling for me to be presented the opportunity to help add to the already sterling record of a company whose work I've so admired. From their great American plays like August: Osage County, to their very recent Broadway and international successes with The Mountaintop and Chimerica, the resume of Jean Doumanian's producing work is one I'm honored to now be associated with, and excited to have a hand in its continued growth."

Preston Copley, a graduate of Dartmouth College, has given his professional life to the arts, most recently with his three years as Chief of Staff to President & Producer Thomas C. Schumacher at Disney Theatrical Group, and with Columbia University School of the Arts as a Teaching Associate for Graduate Theatre Management & Producing. Copley has also been involved with Obama for America with Barack on Broadway in 2012 as the event's co-organizer, the Stage Directors & Choreographers Society as Executive Assistant to Executive Director Laura Penn and the SDC Foundation as the Programs Coordinator.

Jean Doumanian Productions produces works for theatre, film, and television. JDP is currently producing the screen adaptation of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-Winning Best Play, August: Osage County. Most recent Broadway productions include The Mountaintop, Tracy Letts' Superior Donuts, and Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-Winning August: Osage County, now on tour in the US. Other Broadway Productions include, Jumpers, Democracy, Amour, Frankie and Johnnie in The Clare de Lune. In the West End, JDP recently produced Lucy Kirkwood's Chimerica, which won the Evening Standard Award for Best Play. Most recent Off-Broadway productions include the Stonewall Drama, Hit the Wall, and David Cromer's acclaimed production of Our Town (Lortel Award), both at the Barrow Street Theater. Other upcoming screen adaptations include UK feature Woman's World, and Blackbird adapted from David Harrower's Olivier Award-winning play. JDP has produced over 20 films by directors such as David Mamet, David Gordon Green, Woody Allen, and Barbara Kopple, earning multiple Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations.

Pictured: Jean Doumanian; Photo by Walter McBride