Page 52 - ATT DEI Annual Report

A “Special” Story

W hy be normal when you can be special? “Special”

is a distinctive and uplifting new series produced by STAGE 13 is a fearless,
Stage 13 about a gay man, Ryan, with mild cerebral palsy, original content brand

who decides to rewrite his identity and finally go after the showcasing a new
life he wants. generation of inspired Intro Employees Communities Customers Content Suppliers Awards
talent and voices in scripted

“Special” premiered worldwide in April 2019. Receiving rave and unscripted storytelling.
reviews from critics and audiences alike, the show follows To help promote this
Ryan as he goes from working in his pajamas as a blogger groundbreaking series

and communicating mostly via text to figuring out how to within the Warner Bros.
take his life from bleak to chic and begin limping community, Stage 13
partnered with the BRG OUT to host a premiere event
toward adulthood.
at the Stephen J. Ross Theater on the Warner Bros. lot.
Hundreds of people attended the event, including the
Ryan O’Connell is an American writer, actor, director,
series’ cast, creators and WB employees. The event was
comedian, LGBTQ activist and disability advocate. He is
complete with a cocktail reception; an introduction 52
known for his 2015 memoir, “I’m Special: And Other Lies We
by Executive Producer Jim Parsons and creator Ryan
Tell Ourselves,” about his life as a gay man with cerebral
O’Connell; and a panel with Ryan, Director Anna Dokoza,
palsy. Ryan went on to become one of the first gay and
actress Punam Patel, Executive Producer Eric Norsoph,
disabled leads in the history of television, earning an Emmy
and Chris Mack, Head of Scripted Content at Stage 13.
nomination for his role in the Stage 13 series “Special” and AT&T D&I Annual Report 2019
It was moderated by Stage 13 Creative Executive
inspiring millions of people with his story. Andrew Veeder.