A number of CalArtians brought their experience design expertise to the international level as creatives leading the development and production of the new Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi theme park in the United Arab Emirates. The park opened to the public in July.
Out of the 16 people on the experience design company Thinkwell’s creative team, six are alums from CalArts’ School of Theater: Rob Bisser (MFA 08), Hope Glomski (MFA 11), Kat Reinbold (MFA 12), Amber Lepley (MFA 15), Jesse Fryery (MFA 17) and Alyssa Damminger (BFA 18).
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi features six immersive lands. | Photo from Facebook @WBWorldAD.
At 1.65-million sq. ft., Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi is the world’s largest indoor theme park and features 29 rides, live entertainment and multiple dining and shopping complexes. There are six different immersive lands that make up the family-friendly park: Metropolis featuring Superman and the Justice League; Batman and the Joker’s Gotham City; The Flintstones’ Bedrock; Cartoon Junction featuring characters like Bugs Bunny, Scooby-Doo and Tom and Jerry; and lastly Dynamite Gulch with the Jetsons, Wile E. Coyote and Marvin the Martian.
From Thinkwell’s website:
Thinkwell was responsible for the master planning, creative development, design, implementation, and attraction production of the entire park. Thinkwell also served as producers of all park media, including hours of original orchestrated music and soundtracks, blockbuster cinema quality media, and more. In addition, Thinkwell also served as the IP representative, bringing the park to life with WB-themed artwork, media, and scoring for all of the attractions.
CalArts School of Theater provides students numerous opportunities to explore careers in the field of experience design and has professional partnerships with themed entertainment companies such as Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI), BRC Imagination Arts, Paramount, Universal, On Track Themes, Thinkwell and RGH Entertainment.