A Look Behind the Curtain:
A Discussion with the Legends of Themed Entertainment

Register Here

Purdue University will host “A Look Behind the Curtain: A Discussion with the Legends of Themed Entertainment”, a one-of-a-kind online panel bringing together some of the industry’s most celebrated creative leaders. This exclusive event will take place on Thursday, October 9 at 11:00am PST (2:00pm EST), offering students a rare opportunity to hear directly from the visionaries who have shaped the world’s most iconic themed attractions.

Moderated by Roberta Perry, an industry leader and connector with nearly three decades of leadership in the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), the panel will feature four masters representing the cornerstones of the field:

  • Mike West (Innovative West) — Acclaimed Producer, Director, and Writer with more than 40 years of experience at Walt Disney Imagineering and Universal Creative. His creative leadership helped bring to life groundbreaking attractions such as The Simpsons Ride, Transformers: The Ride 3D, and Skull Island: Reign of Kong, as well as leading the initial blue sky development of Universal’s Epic Universe.
  • Phil Bloom (American Scenic Design) — A pioneer in production design whose company has shaped immersive attractions across the globe. His design expertise can be seen in Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.
  • Ida Muldrow (Disney) — A visionary costume designer behind unforgettable looks for Disney Parks, Resorts, and Cruise Line productions. Her work spans Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, The Little Mermaid stage show, and film and performance costumes for stars including Whoopi Goldberg, Martin Lawrence, and Michael Jackson.
  • Lanny Smoot (Disney) — Legendary inventor and Disney Research Fellow with over 90 patents to his name. His innovations, including Kylo Ren’s lightsaber effect and Madame Leota’s levitating crystal ball, have earned him multiple THEA Awards and cemented his reputation as one of the most inventive minds in themed entertainment technology.

The program will feature guided discussions led by Perry. The event will not only showcase behind-the-scenes insights into design, production, costume, and technology, but also provide students with direct mentorship opportunities from industry legends.

Event Schedule (PDT):

  • 11:00 a.m. — Opening remarks by Dr. Christian Rogers
  • 11:05 a.m. — Introductions by Roberta Perry
  • 11:15 a.m. — Panelist introductions and discussion 
  • 11:55 a.m. — Student break-out sessions with panelists
  • 12:25 p.m. — Closing remarks

About the Event

This panel is part of Purdue University’s ongoing efforts to bridge academic learning with real-world creative practice in themed entertainment and experiential design. By connecting students with industry pioneers, the university seeks to inspire innovation and prepare the next generation of designers, technologists, and storytellers.