Thea Flaum

In 1975, Flaum created a television show called Opening Soon at a Theater Near You (later known as Sneak Previews and Sneak Previews Goes Video).[5]

A few years later, Flaum was named Executive Producer for National (PBS) cultural programs for WTTW/Chicago.[6] She created the first national parenting series, “Look at Me,” hosted by Phil Donahue.[7] She was responsible for the “Soundstage” music series and for co-productions with MTV and HBO.[7]

In 1984, Flaum formed an independent production company based in Chicago.[8] The company focused on family programming—creating, developing and producing dramas, documentaries, specials, series and pilots, for network, cable, syndication and public television.

Productions include: At the Auction,[9] The Appraisal Fair and CityScapes for the Home and Garden Television Network (HGTV,) From Junky to Funky for DIY and De-Classified, for Tribune Broadcasting.[10] Also Love Hurts,[11] a drama for ABC's AfterSchool Specials series, Christmas Every Day[12] and The Canterville Ghost,[13] two animated children's specials for CBS and Where’s Daddy? for NBC. PBS shows include a record-setting series of seven Les Brown specials;[14] Ruth Page's Die Fledermaus[15] ballet, and Ruth Page: Once Upon A Dancer, a biographical portrait of the American dance pioneer and choreographer.[3]

Flaum is president of the Hill Foundation for Families Living with Disabilities, which was established in 2007 by Flaum and her husband, Robert A. Hill.

The foundation has created FacingDisability.com, a web resource specifically created to connect families who suddenly have to deal with a spinal cord injury with people like them.[16]

Flaum currently serves as a member of the Boards of Trustees of Access Living,[17] the Chicago Television Academy,[18] the Ruth Page Foundation, the Fund for Innovative Television and the Governing Board of the Chicago Symphony.