Mary Celenza: Showrunner, Director, Executive Producer

Mary Celenza, a showrunner, director, and writer with more than 25 years of experience in television and audio production, will discuss her career and work across documentary, talk, news, comedy, competition, and game-show formats. She is currently Head of Current and Executive Producer at Treefort Media, overseeing projects for Audible, Wondery, Netflix, and Focus Features. The talk is presented by UMBC’s Center for Innovation, Research, and Creativity in the Arts (CIRCA).

Celenza began her career in news at *Good Morning America* in New York and worked with Barbara Walters for four years before moving to Los Angeles. Her directing credits include multi-camera and single-camera documentary projects, long- and short-form productions, and comedic shorts. As a showrunner, she has led unscripted series for Apple Music, Disney+, Syfy, Discovery+, Roku, Prime, and Pokémon, including 13 seasons of the Critics’ Choice Award-winning special-effects competition *Face Off* and the dance competition *Floored*. She also worked on Disney+’s *Pick of the Litter*, about Guide Dogs for the Blind, and a documentary series for Pokémon.

When: Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Showtimes: The talk runs from 12 to 1:30 PM. A free lunch is served at 11:45 AM.

Format: In person

Venue: Performing Arts & Humanities Building, Room 216

Tickets: Free

Lunch: Lunch is free, but reservations are requested by October 29.

RSVP: Attendees should RSVP for the lunch through the event’s reservation link.

Presenter: Mary Celenza, Head of Current and Executive Producer at Treefort Media

Presented by: UMBC’s Center for Innovation, Research, and Creativity in the Arts (CIRCA)

Professional background: Celenza spent two years as a development executive for ABC Studios/Disney. She belongs to the Directors Guild of America and Producers Guild of America and has lectured at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles.

Education: She earned a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University in 1995, concentrating in Communications and Native American Studies.

Participation: The event is open for full participation regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable law and university policy.