Adirondack Studios (ADKS), a company that provides creative solutions for designers, artists, producers, and owners in the themed entertainment industry, has reflected on its activities and achievements in 2024. This has been its most successful year this decade and featured new projects, new people, and a new approach.
The award-winning design, fabrication, and project delivery company, and its 300-strong global team are optimistic about 2025, as it builds its project pipeline and begins celebrating its 50th anniversary.
2024 Projects
With more than 60 project openings around the world, ADKS has had a busy 2024 across its locations in upstate New York, Orlando, Pasadena, Dubai, Shanghai, and Singapore; for the studio, store, and on-site. The company estimates that approximately 350 million visitors were immersed in, or interacted with, its scenery during 2024.
Its slate of retail, brand, and intellectual property experiences have included Dell Alienware Rejuvenation Pod at SXSW, Candylicious at Dubai International Airport, “Wrap It Up” at Crayola Experience Easton, Google’s new office at St. John’s Terminal in New York, Hershey Super Sweet Adventure in collaboration with Original X Productions, and Wicked: The Experience at Universal Studios Florida with Luna Entertainment Group and Universal Orlando Resort.
The company has worked on several entertainment attractions, including Level 99 Providence, Meryal Waterpark, Top of the Rock in partnership with THG Creative, Hersheypark Dark Nights, and at theme parks across three continents.
Its STEAM-based exhibitions, including Mayor Clayton’s WonderLab at Give Kids the World and “Body Odyssey” at The Franklin Institute, have captivated and entertained children of all ages.
In addition, ADKS has provided scenery for live performances and venues such as SAK Comedy Lab, The Joffrey Ballet’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Met Opera’s Grounded, the opera Le Prophete at Fisher Center at Bard, and Dracula and Nutcracker at South Carolina Ballet, remaining true to its theatrical roots.
Celebrating the ADKS team
In addition to its raft of new openings, 2024 was also marked by an array of award wins. In April, ADKS received its 24th and 25th Thea Awards for its work on SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and Guardians of the Galaxy: Project Rewind. blooloop named president/principal Michael Blau in the 2024 blooloop 50 Theme Park Influencers List for his achievements in the industry, and Clara Rice, director of global marketing was appointed to the Themed Entertainment Association’s International Board of Directors for a term starting January 2025.
Internally, ADKS made changes to its leadership structure and organisational philosophy. In May, the company launched MAKE A SCENE, a marketing and culture initiative. This aims to recognise employee skills and expertise, improve communication across global locations, attract top talent, and increase brand awareness.
The initiative has resulted in activities such as creating a new YouTube channel, refreshing the website, producing two employee spotlight video series with over four hundred videos, increasing diversity at tradeshows and conferences, and enhancing the brand aesthetic. These efforts have yielded significant benefits, such as triple-digit percentage increases in social media impressions, double-digit percentage increases in client inquiries, and improved employee recognition.
Janelle Roys, project operations and administration manager, says: “The ‘Make A Scene’ movement gives voice to everything that makes Adirondack Studios extraordinary.
“The individual spotlight videos foster a sense of community by allowing personal glimpses of colleagues we might never otherwise see, and inclusion of the full cast and crew in our project credits lists posted on social media enable behind-the-scenes contributors to bask in the limelight right alongside the headliners.”
In 2024, Adirondack Studios restructured its leadership and added three new executive positions. The team welcomed Ann Underwood as controller, Jeff Moulton as VP of project delivery, and Annabella Colletti as the first VP of business operations. In addition, ADKS connected with approximately 1,500 students through shop tours, school visits, conference events, internships, design competitions, and educational alliances, fostering the industry’s future success.
Setting the scene
ADKS will celebrate its 50th anniversary in February. The company launched its anniversary campaign before IAAPA Expo 2024, introducing commemorative branding and announcing plans for 2025. This includes a limited-edition book (excerpts will be available exclusively on blooloop), a re-imagined demo reel, social media and video series, and events across the globe.
With dozens more projects scheduled to open, including one of the studio’s most ambitious attractions yet, ADKS’ golden anniversary celebrations set the scene for the future. The business anticipates a robust pipeline and significant growth in 2025, and it intends to expand its staff with key roles in both production and business development.
Blau says: “2024 was a year to reaffirm many things we have known for years. Theatre, performance and storytelling are where this company began, and leaning into those roots is the key to our ongoing success. When we listen to our clients’ needs, provide thoughtful, story-driven creative solutions, and have the right people in the right places at the right time with the right focus, that is when our team can truly shine. That is when we enjoy making a scene.”
Earlier this year, ADKS shared details of its work for local community attractions. The firm is known for working with some of Orlando’s most popular theme parks. However, its 5,800-square-meter studio in Florida serves a range of businesses, including an array of local and regional projects.
