An Analysis of the Transition from Scenic Designer for Theater to Themed Entertainment Designer

The role of the scenic designer for theater and the themed entertainment designer parallel in many ways. To determine the degree of overlap, interviews were conducted with three designers who have been trained in theatrical design, and have made a transition into various types of themed entertainment design. These interviews showed potential routes to take in order to break into the themed entertainment industry, the tools and skills necessary to work in both fields, and the differences in process and working environment. There is a significant amount of overlap, and the primary difference that must be factored into a designer’s decision has to do with the degree of ownership over work, creative license, and the amount of freedom over the subject matter, as opposed to the actual skills necessary to work in both fields.