Adirondack Studios (ADKS), a company that provides creative solutions for designers, artists, producers, and owners in the themed entertainment industry, has announced the appointment of several veteran industry figures to key leadership roles.
The company welcomes Bill Grayson as vice president of production, with Tracy Klein joining as director of sales for North America, and Kelley Ritch now serving as portfolio director for design delivery.
These appointments come as the company celebrates its 50th anniversary and sets a course for its future.
Additionally, the studio, which has locations in upstate New York, Orlando, Pasadena, Dubai, Singapore and Shanghai, has transitioned current team members into new roles as part of a wider organisational restructure.
Bringing extensive industry experience
Bill Grayson joins the company as its new vice president of production, and is based at the head office in upstate New York. With over 30 years of industry experience, Grayson has worked across the globe on a portfolio that includes an array of Thea Award-winning projects. He formerly served at Lexington Scenery & Props, Attraction Services, Landmark Entertainment Group, LA Propoint, Pico and Universal Creative.
At his own company, Grayson Production Services, Grayson has headed production efforts for such projects as Crossroads of the World in Indonesia, Lotte World in South Korea, ‘Crane Dance’ at Resorts World Sentosa, the Citywalk 5 Towers Stage at Universal Studios Hollywood, and the Hershey’s Factory Tour Ride (in collaboration with ADKS).
Other major projects include World Expo 2020, Parque Warner Madrid, Tomorrowland at Shanghai Disney Resort, Beauty and the Beast Theater at Tokyo Disneyland, and Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan.
As VP of production, Grayson will lead all of ADKS’ US-based fabrication, and partner with the company’s UAE, China and Singapore locations for specific projects.
He and his team will immediately begin work on numerous installations for Thea Award-winning attractions provider Level99, five haunted houses for Hersheypark Dark Nights, and projects for renowned opera companies, major IPs and consumer brands, a professional sports team and some of the biggest theme park operators on the planet.
“Becoming ADKS’ VP of production is a wonderful full-circle moment for me, as I very much enjoyed working with their creative team on the Hershey’s Chocolate Tour ride, so it’s great to be leading a team you are already a big fan of,” said Grayson.
“One of the parts of my career I’ve enjoyed the most has been mentoring, so I look forward to serving in a professional development capacity both for the current New York and Florida shop teams and for the next generation of ADKS fabricators, and of course, creating some of the world’s best experiences in the process.”
Supporting continued growth
ADKS has had a busy year so far, with project openings including Bavarian Blast Waterpark, scenery for Fisher Center at Bard’s dance production of ‘Pastoral’, Candylicious’ newest retail location in Bahrain’s Marassi Galleria Mall, and Adriana Varejao’s groundbreaking sculpture ‘Sucuri’ at the Hispanic Museum & Library in NYC.
The company has also launched an array of entertainment, brand, retail and cultural experiences.
In another landmark achievement, ADKS received its 27th Themed Entertainment Association Thea Award, which was presented for its scenic fabrication work on Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea.
As it continues in this steady growth trajectory, ADKS has made a series of director-level appointments and reassignments to ensure the best service for its existing and evolving clientele.
Tracy Klein has recently joined ADKS as director of sales for North America. Klein has been working in business development in the entertainment and themed attractions industry for over three decades, and played a crucial role in the development, launch, and success of some of the most iconic location-based entertainment projects for the industry’s leading IP holders.
Klein was a key member of the team behind Metreon and Mediage, two innovative LBE’s featuring IPs like Maurice Sendak’s ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ and Moebius’ ‘Airtight Garage.’
Her experience also includes leading the business development, project management, and relationship building for projects including IED Battle Drill, an immersive military training simulator, and the hugely successful touring show, ‘Stranger Things: The Experience’.
While based in upstate New York, Klein will travel to the company’s other US locations frequently. She will also represent the company at tradeshows and conferences, starting with SATE North America 2025 in October.
Kelley Ritch has been appointed as portfolio director for design delivery. Ritch has been working at the company since 2022 and is based in Pasadena. In this new position, she will provide concierge-level service for existing design projects, clients and relationships.
Ritch has an extensive list of producing and operations credits, including the National WWII Museum, ‘Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts’ at Universal Orlando, ‘Kung Fu Panda: Land of Awesomeness’ at Universal Beijing, and touring show sets for Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, and Cirque du Soleil.
She joins fellow portfolio directors Matt Jackson, Matt Reardon, and Nicola Rossini.
Celebrating 50 years
Over the past two years, ADKS has also appointed Jeff Moulton as VP of project delivery, Annabella Colletti as VP of business operations, Ann Underwood as controller, and Clara Rice as director of global marketing, as well as new shop managers across its upstate New York, Orlando and Dubai production facilities.
Michael Blau, president/principal of Adirondack Studios, says: “Bill is joining our ranks at the perfect time.
“Bill’s combination of production experience, business acumen, and industry connections will have an immediate impact on our fabrication operations. Our hiring of Bill, along with the recent appointments of Jeff, Annabella, Tracy, the portfolio directors and others, represents our desire to future-proof the company for the next 50 years, with the support and leadership of a strong executive and director team.
“With our new structure nearly in place, we’re excited to ‘make a scene’ in 2026 and beyond.”
ADKS will continue to celebrate its 50th anniversary through the rest of the year. This will include attendance at conferences and tradeshows across the globe, including SATE APAC in New Zealand, IAAPA Expo Europe in Barcelona, SATE North America at Knott’s Berry Farm, and IAAPA Expo US in Orlando. To arrange a meeting, please email.
Recently, ADKS attended the IAAPA Expo Asia in Shanghai, where it marked its 50th anniversary, in addition to the 12th anniversary of ADK China, Adirondack Studios’ wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE) based in Shanghai. While 12 years may not seem significant to those outside of Asia, the number holds deep meaning within Chinese culture.
