UC makes connections to key players in the theme park industry

The Madison, Indiana, resident was a 10-year-old who was “absolutely blown away” as he marveled at the 40-square mile recreation and entertainment complex, which is described by some visitors as the most magical place on earth.

For Holcroft, now a fourth-year industrial design student at the University of Cincinnati, Disney World was a place for family memories and entertainment, but as he entered high school he seriously began to think about fields of study, careers and if he could do more than just visit theme parks.

Maybe he could be part of a team creating or enhancing a theme park. Holcroft had a background in musical theater while in high school and initially considered stage design before an adviser suggested he also take a look at UC’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning.

“The first time I visited that building was the week before school and I absolutely lucked out and fell in love with it,” says Holcroft. “This is where I wanted to be. I came to UC because of co-op, and I knew even then that the theme park industry was very based on who you knew and what experience you have in order to enter the field.”

“I couldn’t just walk into a firm and say, ‘Here's my resume. You know I have the skills listed on this paper, you should hire me,’” says Holcroft. “Networking and having that hard experience matters. So co-op had to be part of my journey and that’s been one of the greatest relationship building experiences.”

Holcroft made those connections thanks to a couple of avenues: a new class launched during the fall 2021 at UC titled Domestic Study Tour: Industry and Experience of Theme Park Design and his involvement in the UC chapter of the Themed Entertainment Association NextGen (TEA). 

Holcroft is president of TEA, which hosts monthly meetings and invites creators, designers, developers and producers in the theme park industry to address interested students at monthly meetings. Holcroft is co-oping at JRA - Part of RWS Entertainment — a Cincinnati-based firm that creates immersive experiences for theme parks, museums, brand attractions and leisure destinations worldwide.

The theme park design class at UC is taught by Cindy Damschroder, associate professor and senior director of academic operations in the Division of Experience-Based Learning and Career Education, and Todd Foley, PhD, professor of digital innovation, future of work and remote work.

While in Orlando, Damschroder and Foley tapped into a UC alumni network of designers, engineers and other professionals working for Disney World. When the theme park class launched, UC alumni at Disney were instrumental in arranging behind-the-scenes tours of Disney during a class trip to Orlando.

“The students were saying, ‘We would never have had this kind of access otherwise,’” explains Damschroder. “We were able to walk on certain rides and get that kind of backstage information about the amusement park. Hopefully, that just gave them confirmation that this not only is a passion, but it could be realized as a career objective for our students.”

Lainey Sage, a fifth-year mechanical engineering technology major with a minor in robotics and automation, says she was eager to take the theme park design class. It got delayed because of COVID-19 restrictions, but Sage has enjoyed co-op experiences at The Walt Disney Company and LifeFormations, an entertainment agency in Madeira, Ohio, prior to the class. 

Sage has a passion for developing high-quality animatronics for theme parks. During her time at LifeFormations she was able to partake in the design, fabrication, and assembly of multiple animated figures that are now featured in Disney’s Jungle Cruise attraction in both Disneyland Park and Magic Kingdom.

Once the theme park design class at UC opened, Sage says she was “super excited” to participate.

“I thought it was the single most helpful class I’ve taken at UC in teaching me about something I was passionate about outside of my engineering classes,” says Sage. “I of course loved my engineering classes throughout the years, but knowing I wanted to go into this industry, I felt a little unaware of where to begin. We were introduced to so many people in the industry, with an emphasis on UC grads, that it truly helped me develop professional relationships with people who could help me learn and grow.”

Sage, who will graduate this spring, has accepted a job offer at 3DX Scenic, a custom scenic design and fabrication facility in Blue Ash, Ohio. 

“I have very quickly realized that a career in themed entertainment is very fast-paced and stressful,” says Sage. “Everything needs to be bigger and better than the last product made and it must top the competition’s product. It’s a lot of pressure but as someone who grew up loving theme parks, I never get over knowing my work is making other people smile and that I get to work in a place where we make the impossible a reality.”

Featured image at top: UC students and faculty in front of the Skull Island Reign of Kong attraction at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida/provided