{"id":151007,"date":"2026-02-26T10:43:27","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T15:43:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=151007"},"modified":"2026-03-04T13:56:46","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T18:56:46","slug":"partnership-leads-to-new-model-for-building-the-future-of-themed-entertainment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/partnership-leads-to-new-model-for-building-the-future-of-themed-entertainment\/","title":{"rendered":"Partnership Leads to New Model for Building the Future of Themed Entertainment"},"content":{"rendered":"<hr>\n<p>H<\/p>\n<p>ome to UCF, Orlando has long been a global center for themed entertainment. As immersive attractions, museums and themed entertainment experiences continue to grow in scale, complexity and cultural impact, the industry faces a critical challenge: preparing the next generation of professionals with the real-world skills needed to bring immersive experiences to life.<\/p>\n<p>Spanning storytelling, architecture, engineering, media, operations and production, today\u2019s themed experiences and attractions demand skills that rarely live within a single academic discipline.<\/p>\n<p>For many aspiring professionals, the pathway into themed entertainment remains unclear, with limited visibility into professional workflows, real-world timelines and the cross-functional dynamics that ultimately determine a project\u2019s success.<\/p>\n<p>A new partnership between UCF and AOA \u2014 a leading immersive experience design, production and project management company \u2014 aims to change that to better support the future of the industry.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_151027\" style=\"max-width: 1200px;\" class=\"figure mx-auto d-block\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" class=\"figure-img size-full wp-image-151027 img-fluid\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/02\/AOAxUCF3partnership.jpg\" alt=\"A portrait of two men and two women standing in warehouse with technical equipment behind them as the two men shake hands.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/02\/AOAxUCF3partnership.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/02\/AOAxUCF3partnership-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/02\/AOAxUCF3partnership-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/02\/AOAxUCF3partnership-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/02\/AOAxUCF3partnership-360x240.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" class=\"figure-img size-full wp-image-151027 img-fluid lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201200%20800%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"A portrait of two men and two women standing in warehouse with technical equipment behind them as the two men shake hands.\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201200%20800%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/02\/AOAxUCF3partnership.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/02\/AOAxUCF3partnership-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/02\/AOAxUCF3partnership-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/02\/AOAxUCF3partnership-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/02\/AOAxUCF3partnership-360x240.jpg 360w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/02\/AOAxUCF3partnership.jpg\"><figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">From left to right: AOA Chief Creative Executive Tom Acomb, Managing Director Denise Hatcher, UCF Director of Themed Experience Graduate Programs Peter Weishar, and Visiting Instructor and Producing Concentration Lead Adora English.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>Ideal Partnership<\/h3>\n<p>UCF\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/degree-search\/search\/themed%20experience\">themed experience graduate programs<\/a> at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/college\/arts-humanities\/\">College of Arts and Humanities<\/a> and AOA have launched the AOA Scholars Program, a hands-on practicum designed to give graduate students direct exposure to the real-world processes behind themed entertainment design and production.<\/p>\n<p>UCF introduced a theatre Master of Fine Arts&nbsp;track in themed experience in 2018. In 2021, the university offered <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/ucf-announces-graduate-degree-program-in-themed-experience\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a stand-alone degree program in themed experience<\/a>. Both programs are&nbsp; the first of its kind at a public university.<\/p>\n<p>The program\u2019s focused curriculum in themed experience and attractions makes it an ideal partner for AOA.<\/p>\n<p>The scholars initiative will address a common challenge in the field: while demand for immersive attractions, museums and experiences continues to grow, there is an expanding need for practical training and field work for emerging talent.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFlorida is home to some of the most sophisticated themed entertainment work in the world, but the way people enter the industry hasn\u2019t kept pace,\u201d says Tom Acomb, co-founder and chief creative officer of AOA. \u201cThis program is about opening the door earlier and giving students a clearer view of how these projects actually come together.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Each semester, a select cohort of students will participate in workshops led by AOA professionals, visit active project sites and production facilities, and learn how creative, technical and operational decisions intersect in real projects.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAOA has always believed in investing in early-career talent, starting with a strong internship program that\u2019s been part of our culture since the early days,\u201d says Mike Ostendorf, co-founder and CEO of AOA. \u201cThis partnership with UCF is an evolution of that long-standing commitment \u2014 because seeing the full lifecycle of a project up close matters.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_151361\" style=\"max-width: 1200px;\" class=\"figure float-left\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" class=\"figure-img img-fluid w-100 wp-image-151361 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/02\/Art-Installation-DW-3.jpg\" alt=\"People posing for a photo in front of a neon UCF Celebrates the Arts sign\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/02\/Art-Installation-DW-3.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/02\/Art-Installation-DW-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/02\/Art-Installation-DW-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/02\/Art-Installation-DW-3-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/02\/Art-Installation-DW-3-360x240.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" class=\"figure-img img-fluid w-100 wp-image-151361 size-full lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201200%20800%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"People posing for a photo in front of a neon UCF Celebrates the Arts sign\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201200%20800%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/02\/Art-Installation-DW-3.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/02\/Art-Installation-DW-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/02\/Art-Installation-DW-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/02\/Art-Installation-DW-3-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/02\/Art-Installation-DW-3-360x240.jpg 360w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/02\/Art-Installation-DW-3.jpg\"><figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">UCF Director of Themed Experience Graduate Programs Peter Weishar (left) and Visiting Instructor of Themed Experience Adora English (right) with students. (Photo by Dana Weisman)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cThis partnership gives students access to professional workflows with one of the top firms in the themed entertainment industry.\u201d \u2014 Peter Weishar, UCF director of themed experience<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3>What\u2019s Next<\/h3>\n<p>UCF will oversee academic structure and accreditation, while AOA will contribute funding and industry expertise.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis partnership gives students access to professional workflows with one of the top firms in the themed entertainment industry with diverse project and a global reach\u201d says Peter Weishar, director of themed experience at UCF. \u201cIt strengthens Florida\u2019s role as a global talent pipeline for themed entertainment.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The AOA Scholars Program is expected to begin Fall 2026, reinforcing Central Florida\u2019s position as a training ground for the next generation of immersive experience professionals.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>UCF and AOA are launching a new scholars program to provide hands-on professional practice to themed experience graduate students.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":98,"featured_media":151360,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"lazy_load_responsive_images_disabled":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":"","_wp_rev_ctl_limit":""},"categories":[3,5,27],"tags":[18104,17023,54293,18148,54287],"tu_author":[],"class_list":["post-151007","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arts","category-colleges","category-student-life","tag-academic-excellence","tag-college-of-arts-and-humanities","tag-partnership","tag-partnerships","tag-themed-experience"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v22.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - 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