About me
Michael Braithwaite is a producer, director & consultant in entertainment & events with more than 25 years experience in the industry.
Originally from New Zealand, Michael commenced his international career in London where he was engaged as the first Senior Producer for Live Entertainment for the Jim Henson Company, developing stage productions in a role that took him to Sydney, Los Angeles and New York. Michael also worked for Warner Brothers on the films Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets. More recently he has been Producer for the Mayor of London’s Outdoor Festival delivering more than 5,000 live performances throughout the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
At New York’s Commercial Theatre Institute, Michael was the first New Zealander, and one of the youngest producers ever, to be invited to attend its Producing for Broadway & The Road intensive programme for promising young producers. His own productions include creating and producing the world premiere of Crazy Dreams – the songs of Tim Rice (created with the personal support and assistance of Sir Tim Rice), creating and producing Full Circle, and producing Side by Side by Sondheim. He has also worked in Scotland as producer for MusicWorks, an international music industry and media convention operating 25 live venues across Glasgow.
As a Marketing & PR specialist Michael was Marketing Director for the Belfast Festival and Media Consultant for the Christchurch Arts Festival. His many other credits include Exorcism and Rite for the Paragon Ensemble, Nigel Kennedy & The Irish Chamber Orchestra and a host of other entertainment events.
Michael Braithwaite is based in London where he currently works as Global Shows Director for the Merlin Entertainment Group, where he is responsible for delivering and overseeing all live productions across the company including the UK, USA, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Dubai, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Australia.
Work history
Global Shows Director
Senior Creative Director for all live entertainment offerings by the Merlin Entertainment Group plc’s resort theme parks, hotels and midway attractions in 23 countries worldwide
Managing budgets of up to £2 million + per production
Championing major live creative projects partners like DreamWorks, the LEGO Group, Warner Brothers, BBC Worldwide, Lionsgate, and Fox
Oversaw all live entertainment for the record-breaking opening of BBC CBeebies Land, Alton Towers 2014 (increase of 350,000 visitors for the year)
Delivered first company show to rank as the number one attraction on park with a 50.48% footfall driver in general attendance. Ninjago & The Realm of Shadows (Legoland Malaysia)
Senior Producer London 2012
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Producing the first ever pan-London Outdoor Festival as a key event for Festival 2012, London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games.
Delivering 40 major shows & more than 5,000 individual performances in all 33 Boroughs of London, Hyde Park, Victoria Park & Trafalgar Square in the 7 week Games period.
Successfully developed multiple stakeholder partnerships including LOCOG, all London Boroughs, key Business Improvement Districts, Arts Council of England & Festival 2012
Managing more than 450 artists, staff, contractors and consultants in core team Successfully managing a production budget in excess of £2.1 million
Skills
- Concept Design
- Writer Director
- Live Entertainment
- Concept Creation
- Director Theatre Events
- Writer/producer
- Music Theatre
- Live Event Director
- Music Events
- Event Director
- Creative Direciton
- Producer Theatre
- Music and Creative Events