My writing career began scripting jokes and patter for my own crooner tribute act at a plucky 13-years-old (but that’s another story). Since then, my scripting sorcery has taken center stage in numerous high-profile events featuring celebrity talent, cherished IPs, and executives. Once a ham, always a ham. NOTE: Project overviews are written respective of ongoing NDAs.
Once Upon a Wish Party (2025)– Walt Disney World
Role: Lead Show Writer & Show Director
Client: Disney Live Entertainment & Make-A-Wish Foundation
Project Concept: As part of Disney’s Week of Wishes, nearly 50 Make-A-Wish families were cordially invited for two days of royal revelry at Walt Disney World. Guests’ fairytale began with a bespoke dress fitting at the Royal Wardrobe prior to a fireworks pajama party, where Wish Kids learned that they would be crowned the land’s newest princesses. Day two commenced with a royal sidekick breakfast that sent families on a hero’s journey through two immersive, interactive shows set in the realms of Moana and Frozen. After a festive lunch with the Family Madrigal, Guests donned their regal regalia for a Royal Coronation Ball featuring half-a-dozen choreographed numbers that mounted to a moving crowning ceremony.
Responsibilities:
- Directing Walt Disney World’s first scripted Moana-themed show
- Writing event treatments and scripts
- Developing original event character set
- Ideating and outlining overall Guest journey arc
- Providing direction to voiceover talent
- Participating in initial event blue sky sessions
- Conceiving & integrating digital gaming component
- Advising musical direction
- Aligning event creative with public relations strategy
- Themed copywriting
Read more about this project HERE.
Blaze Your Path: A Star Wars Adventure – Disneyland
Role: Show Writer
Client: Disney Live Entertainment & Make-A-Wish Foundation
Project Concept: Not so long ago, in a galaxy far, far away, the Force called 19 wish kids and their families to Disneyland Resort for a heroic adventure across Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. As recruits of the Resistance, Guests rallied with spies, pilots, and allies in an immersive scavenger hunt throughout the Black Spire Outpost. Completing high-stakes espionage against the First Order, budding Padawans collected components to construct their own lightsabers and join Rey for a final showdown with the sinister Kylo Ren.
Responsibilities:
- Scavenger Hunt Design & Scripting
- Themed Copywritng
Read more about this project HERE.
Once Upon A Wish Party (2023) – Walt Disney World
Role: Show Writer
Client: Disney Live Entertainment & Make-A-Wish Foundation
- Event Scripting
- Executive Remarks Scripting
Read more about this project HERE.
Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025 – Tokyo, Japan
Role: Show Writer
Client: Walt Disney Imagineering & Disney Experiences
- Panel Scripting.
- Show Flow Development.
- Executive Talking Point Scripting.
- Show Moment Ideation.
Read more about this project HERE.
Celebrating Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at 2024 Essence Festival of Culture – New Orleans, LA
Role: Show Writer
Client: Disney Experiences
Project Concept: To celebrate the hopping new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction at Disney Parks coast-to-coast, Disney Experiences made a splash on the main stage of the 30th Essence Festival stage with a parasol-pumping presentation. This jubilant panel reunited The Princess and the Frog stars Anika Noni Rose and Jenifer Lewis with Walt Disney Imagineering legends for meaningful conversation about Tiana’s role in the legacy of Black storytelling punctuated by high-stepping Second Line musical moments. Channeling the auntly warmth of a family reunion, Celebrating Tiana’s Bayou Adventure created a joyous culmination to Disney Experiences’ 2024 Essence Fest presence.
Responsibilities:
- Collaborated with show director and producer to ideate overall show flow and story arc.
- Created and iterated concept narratives through executive reviews.
- Scripted celebrity talent including Jenifer Lewis and Anika Noni Rose.
- Wrote final production show scripts.
- Partnered with communications and Imagineering teams to develop appropriate questions and talking points.
- Consulted on the selection of music and video assets.
- Wrote marketing copy for event promotional collateral.
- Participated in preliminary talent briefings.
We Came To Play at 2024 Essence Festival of Culture – New Orleans, LA
Role: Show Writer
Client: Disney Experiences
Project Concept: Spirits were high and vibes were fly as Disney Experiences took the 30th Essence Festival stage in a momentous musical celebration of all the authentic ways for Black Guests to play at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL. Hosted by dynamic television personality Déjà Vu and a beat-dropping DJ sidekick, this block party-style presentation spotlighted signature Walt Disney World experiences including Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, TRON Lightcycle / Run, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and Disney Dreamer’s Academy. Choreographed musical numbers evoking the thrilling stories of these attractions built toward a rousing finale performance from star of High School Musical: The Series Dara Reneé.
Responsibilities:
- Collaborated with show director and producer to ideate overall show flow and story arc
- Created and iterated concept narratives through executive reviews
- Scripted celebrity talent including Déjà Vu and Dara Reneé
- Wrote final production show scripts
- Partnered with marketing teams to develop appropriate questions and talking points
- Consulted on the selection of music and video assets
- Assisted in defining the creative direction of choreographed dance numbers
- Crafted marketing copy for event promotional collateral
- Participated in preliminary talent briefings
- Developed DJ talking points
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Community Preview – Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Role: Show Writer
Client: Walt Disney World Resort
This Is Magic Press Event – Walt Disney World Resort
Role: Show Writer
Client: Disney Live Entertainment
Project Concept: In spring of 2024, members of the media alighted on the Most Magical Place on Earth for three pixie-dusted days of previews debuting new offerings and attractions across the Walt Disney World Resort. Guests arrived in style at The Magic for You HQ inside Disney’s Contemporary Resort, an airy lounge with special character appearances aligned with summer marketing priorities. A kickoff celebration at EPCOT treated attendees to the unveiling of the new Portraits of Courage exhibit at the American Adventure Pavilion, the grand opening of CommuniCore Hall, as well as a joyous White Party spotlighting Black Culture with a special appearances from Jenifer Lewis, Terence Blanchard, and other talents behind the new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction. This half-week of revelry roared to close with culminating farewell event at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, commemorating 30 years of The Lion King with African-themed entertainment and character friends from the Pride Lands.
Responsibilities:
- Worked with show directors and producers to ideate creative elements, show flows, and story arcs for events at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, EPCOT, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Created and revised conceptual narratives through several rounds of executive and client review
- Liaised with entertainment, marketing, and executive communications teams to write final production show scripts
- Crafted remarks for company executives as well as Walt Disney World and Disneyland Ambassadors
- Scripted opening ceremonies for Portratis of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors and the new CommuniCore Hall at EPCOT
- Wrote talking points and narratives for character experiences aligned with marketing priorities
- Developed treatments for video elements
- Consulted on the selection of music and video assets
- Assisted in on-site talent direction, script reviews, and teleprompter formatting
jared d. wells 