Full Name
Danny Hartigan
Job Title
Creative Director and Writer
Institution Name
BirbRib Creative
Speaker Bio
Danny is a redheaded, former theme park entertainer, father of identical twins, trekker, and writer that loves to create. And coffee. He really loves coffee.
Danny has been involved in countless facets of theme park and entertainment development for over 30 years. As an entertainment industry veteran, he has served as a producer, creative director, writer, live show director, and consultant for various genres, including theme park, animation, film, live theatre, museum, attractions, and experience design. Proficient in all aspects of the storytelling process, including idea generation, treatment, scriptwriting, casting, live show direction, exhibit design, art direction, producing, and creative leadership.
He’s had the pleasure of working for such entertainment heavyweights as the Walt Disney Company, Universal Studios, Nickelodeon Films, MGM Studios, Sony Pictures, DreamWorks, Paramount, Intel, THG, Thinkwell Design, BRC, and many others.
Danny started his theme park career as a writer and performer with SAK Entertainment company in Orlando when he was hired to develop and perform live comedy shows in the Italian pavilion at EPCOT. The three-month contract stretched to nearly ten years. Disney used SAK as a creative think tank, and he worked closely with Imagineering to develop and produce numerous distinct shows for EPCOT, Disney World, and MGM Studios (now Hollywood Studios).
Notably, Danny was the Executive Creative Director for the Bollywood and Motiongate parks in Dubai. He directed "Ghosts of the Library" at the Lincoln Museum in Springfield, IL, wrote and directed the Special Effects Show at Universal Studios Hollywood, conceived the original concept for Cinemagique at Walt Disney Studios Park Paris, developed and co-wrote the final script for "Animation Celebration" at Universal Studios Japan, and was the Creative Director for the new Heineken Experience in Amsterdam. Currently he is working on a domestic theme park in Oklahoma, and developing an immersive board game experience.
Danny has been involved in countless facets of theme park and entertainment development for over 30 years. As an entertainment industry veteran, he has served as a producer, creative director, writer, live show director, and consultant for various genres, including theme park, animation, film, live theatre, museum, attractions, and experience design. Proficient in all aspects of the storytelling process, including idea generation, treatment, scriptwriting, casting, live show direction, exhibit design, art direction, producing, and creative leadership.
He’s had the pleasure of working for such entertainment heavyweights as the Walt Disney Company, Universal Studios, Nickelodeon Films, MGM Studios, Sony Pictures, DreamWorks, Paramount, Intel, THG, Thinkwell Design, BRC, and many others.
Danny started his theme park career as a writer and performer with SAK Entertainment company in Orlando when he was hired to develop and perform live comedy shows in the Italian pavilion at EPCOT. The three-month contract stretched to nearly ten years. Disney used SAK as a creative think tank, and he worked closely with Imagineering to develop and produce numerous distinct shows for EPCOT, Disney World, and MGM Studios (now Hollywood Studios).
Notably, Danny was the Executive Creative Director for the Bollywood and Motiongate parks in Dubai. He directed "Ghosts of the Library" at the Lincoln Museum in Springfield, IL, wrote and directed the Special Effects Show at Universal Studios Hollywood, conceived the original concept for Cinemagique at Walt Disney Studios Park Paris, developed and co-wrote the final script for "Animation Celebration" at Universal Studios Japan, and was the Creative Director for the new Heineken Experience in Amsterdam. Currently he is working on a domestic theme park in Oklahoma, and developing an immersive board game experience.
Speaking At
