Sony Pictures Entertainment has announced that Lia Vollack will head Columbia Live Stage, SPE’s new live theatrical productions division. The department will produce and develop original theatrical productions for Broadway and other theatres.

Formerly executive vice president of Theatrical for SPE, Vollack was instrumental in establishing Columbia Live Stage, which co-produced its first Broadway show, Shuffle Along, earlier this year and is behind the Broadway-bound Groundhog Day. Based in New York, Vollack will work with the library catalogs of Sony Pictures and Sony/ATV Music Publishing in bringing new stage works to life.

“After two rewarding decades in motion pictures, coming back to Broadway feels like a homecoming,” commented Vollack in a press statement. “I'm humbled to be representing this great studio in the theatrical world, where I began my career. I have always believed in the unique power of live theatre and am thrilled to have this opportunity to devote my full time and energy to building Columbia Live Stage.”

Vollack began her career as a sound designer on Broadway before moving to Los Angeles to work in film. She has worked on music for hundreds of motion pictures, including the theme songs for Spectre and Skyfall.

“Lia is among the strongest and most creative executives in this space, and the perfect fit to run Columbia Live Stage,” added Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton. “We see tremendous opportunity in live theatre and look forward to leveraging Sony's vast library and original material for future productions.”

Sony joins fellow major studios Warner Bros., Fox and Disney in establishing live theatrical divisions.