Programs
2026 DET Writing Program | Cassidy Lee
Congratulations to 2026 Disney Program Writer and 2026 FX John Singleton Scholar, Cassidy Lee, who has staffed on Season 1 of FX’s DISINHERITED! Adopted from Korea at a young age and raised in the Midwest cornfields, Cassidy enjoys writing about identity and belonging, often with a political or thrilling bent. Prior to the program, she…
Read More2026 DET Writing Program | Ekaterina Vladimirova
We’re excited to share that 2026 Disney Program Writer, Ekaterina Vladimirova, has staffed on Season 2 of a Disney Branded Television series (as yet unannounced)! The daughter of a Russian-by-way-of-Uzbekistan immigrant, Kat grew up on the Arizona-Mexico border and has a unique relationship with identity and hyphens. Kat’s worked her way up in the TV…
Read More2025-26 DET Directing Program – Scripted | Vanessa Beletic
Kudos to 2025-26 DET Scripted Program Director, Vanessa Beletic, who has been assigned to shadow-to-direct on Disney Branded Television’s COVEN ACADEMY! Originally from Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, Vanessa has directed music videos, commercials, short films, and branded content, and began her career as a backup dancer. Her commercial work has been featured during the Emmy’s and on…
Read More2025-26 DET Directing Program – Scripted | Alejandra López
Many congratulations to 2025-26 Disney Program Director, Alejandra López, who will be directing on ABC’s long-running soap opera, GENERAL HOSPITAL! Born and raised in Puerto Rico, a commonwealth of the United States, Alejandra’s short film, THE BLUE CAPE, which she wrote and directed, has screened at ten Oscar qualifying film festivals. Alejandra became the first…
Read More2025-26 DET Directing Program – Scripted | Ryan Richmond
We’re pleased to share that 2025-26 Disney Program Director, Ryan Richmond, will be directing an episode of Hulu/Onyx/20th’s REASONABLE DOUBT! Originally a Washington, D.C. native, Ryan is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, studying under Spike Lee and Matthew Libatique. Ryan was a cinematographer for 12 years before transitioning to…
Read More2026 DET Writing Program | Noelle Liljedahl
We’re very pleased to share that 2026 DET Program Writer, Noelle Liljedahl, has staffed on Season 1 of Hulu/20th’s PRISON BREAK! Born and raised in Iowa, Noelle moved to the West Coast to attend Chapman University’s Screenwriting Program. Prior to the Disney Writing Program, Noelle held internships at various production companies including HBO, and was…
Read More2025-26 DET Directing Program – Unscripted | Kirsten “Kiki” Malone
We’re pleased to share that 2025-26 DET Unscripted Program Director, Kirsten “Kiki” Malone, has been assigned to direct a segment on Season 22 of ABC’s BACHELORETTE! A seasoned unscripted professional, Kiki’s passion for storytelling began in her Midwestern hometown and ultimately led her to NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she graduated at the…
Read MoreDisney Entertainment Television Unveils 2026 Directing & Writing Program Participants
Top row, from left: Ryan Richmond, Noelle Liljedahl, Kiki Malone, Maya Florin Middle row, from left: Sagiv Karpel, Kat Vladimirova, Monica Lucas, Cassidy Lee, Aaron Outlen, Claire Gostin, Neiman Outlen Bottom row, from left: Jenna Park, Mariam Girgis, Jamala Gaither Not pictured: Vanessa Beletic, Sammi Cannold, Gayle Galvez, Alejandra Lopez Photo Credit: Disney/Michael Kirchoff Today…
Read More2025 DET Writing Program – Mo Abhat
Let’s hear it for 2025 Disney Program Writer, Mo Abhat, who has staffed on Season 1 of Hulu/20th’s PRISON BREAK reboot! A first-generation Afghan-American writer, Mo began his career as an actor. After graduating from the Stella Adler Academy of Acting & Theatre Conservatory, he appeared in numerous television projects including SWAT, FBI, CRIMINAL MINDS,…
Read More2025 Disney Program Writer, Andrina Wekontash Smith
We’re very pleased to share that 2025 Disney Program Writer, Andrina Wekontash Smith, has staffed on Season 2 of Hulu/Onyx/20th’s DELI BOYS! A Shinnecock storyteller who grew up on a reservation in the Hamptons, Andrina is a graduate of Emerson College, where she majored in Theatre Studies with an emphasis in SocialChange. Her work often…
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