Themed Entertainment Association spotlights individual Masters for 2024

The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) through their ‘TEA Masters of Their Craft’ program honours and recognises the achievements of individuals - the creators, managers, designers, writers, producers, engineers, and craftspeople - who have made significant and enduring contributions to the themed entertainment industry through innovation, design, craftsmanship, leadership, and/or artistry.

The program acknowledges exceptional individuals whose skills epitomise the highest standards and have used those skills to advance their discipline.

The TEA 2024 Masters are:

• Joe Blanck: Creatures and Puppets

• Bettina Buckley: Theme Park Master Planning

• Michel Linet-Frion: Creative Director/Designer/Consultant

• Haruo Masuda: Art Director/Exhibition Planner, Curator and Designer

• Ida Muldrow: Costume Design/Fashion Design/Millinery

• John Polk: Water Technologies and Fountain Experiences

• Mike West: Producer/Director/Writer/Project Developer

Each has built a body of work over a minimum of 20 years, often working on a global stage and on multiple major and/or signature projects, while demonstrating consistent quality of execution.

TEA Masters come from many different countries throughout the world, are diverse, and represent a wide variety of disciplines.  Often unknown except among their peers and collaborators, they help create visceral stories, rides, attractions, events, and places that immerse, mystify, thrill, and educate guests worldwide. They are also enthusiastic mentors to those who work alongside them, and they eagerly share their learnings with newcomers to our industry.

HOW THE MASTERS ARE CHOSEN

Each new slate of TEA Masters is selected by the current Masters acting as a Selection Committee. The Selection Committee receives nominations from members of the profession worldwide. The Selection Committee carefully examines each of these nominations after assuring that the submission requirements are met.

The voting selection process is rigorous and thorough, and the discussions are lively. The overall effort is conducted over a three-month period during which nominations are individually reviewed and a final slate is determined.

The 2024 TEA Masters will be officially honoured at SATE North America in Dollywood on 15th – 18th October 2024.