IRENE MECCHI (Book) began her association with Disney, when she wrote the animated short, Recycle Rex, which won the 1994 Environmental Media Award. Irene is a co-writer of Disney’s animated features The Lion King, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Hercules. Along with co-author Roger Allers, she received a 1998 Tony® nomination for writing the book for The Lion King. Irene adapted Annie for ABC’s Wonderful World of Disney and Peter Pan Live – for NBC.  She shares a writing credit on Disney Pixar’s Brave.  Irene is currently developing new projects for the stage and screen.