Carly MurphyRare stories from Walt Disney’s closest creative collaborators will come to life in an intimate new speaker series at Chapman University. Disney Legend Joe Rohde, filmmaker Jeffrey C. Sherman, and other entertainment luminaries will share never-before-heard accounts of Walt Disney’s innovative spirit and creative process.
The four-month series, curated by acclaimed Disney historian and Chapman Presidential Fellow Jeff Kurtti, brings together Imagineers, animators’ families, and creative executives for behind-the-scenes perspectives on Walt Disney’s enduring influence. Kurtti has authored more than 40 books on Disney history.
“This series offers a unique perspective for students and aficionados of Walt Disney into the philosophies, origins, people, and history of Disney culture and innovation that remain relevant today,” says Kurtti.
The lectures are part of a broader collaboration between Kurtti and Chapman Professor Brian Alters, Ph.D., exploring Walt Disney’s impact on entertainment, technology, and global culture. As Presidential Fellow at Chapman, Kurtti is working to establish the first academic think tank dedicated to studying Disney’s innovative legacy.
All programs will be presented at 7:00 PM in Argyros Forum 202 at Chapman University in Orange, California. Admission is free, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Speaker Series – Event Schedule
Friday, February 21, 2025, 7 p.m.
Walt Disney: The First “Imagineer”
Former Creative Development Executive Tom K. Morris will recount how, in December 1952, Walt Disney pioneered the role of “Imagineer.” Drawing on his 35-year career at Walt Disney Imagineering, Morris will discuss how Walt assembled creative teams that merged imaginative vision with technical know-how.
Friday, March 14, 2025, 7 p.m.
Walt Disney and Music: The Sherman Brothers
Jeffrey C. Sherman, son of famed songwriter Robert B. Sherman, will screen his acclaimed documentary The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story. He will explore how Disney’s first contract songwriters crafted timeless musical hits—from “It’s a Small World (After All)” to beloved classics from Mary Poppins and The Jungle Book.
Friday, April 4, 2025, 7 p.m.
Walt Disney and the Worlds of Nature
Moderated by Jeff Kurtti, this expert panel will feature Disney Legend Joe Rohde and biologist Dr. Brian J. Alters. Together, they will examine how Disney’s pioneering animal narratives—from Bambi to the True-Life Adventures series—inspired a lasting public consciousness about nature and conservation.
Friday, May 16, 2025, 7 p.m.
Walt Disney and “The Nine Old Men”
Documentary director Theodore Thomas, son of celebrated Disney animator Frank Thomas, will present his featurette Growing Up with Nine Old Men. Thomas will share his personal connection to Disney’s golden era of animation and reveal intimate insights into one of the studio’s most storied creative collectives.
