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 Nicola Rossini, who joins the company in the newly created role of portfolio director.
As ADKS marks its 50th anniversary and works to future-proof its operations, the new role and Rossini’s appointment reflect a further significant shift in the company’s project management approach.
Industry veteran
Rossini’s career encompasses theatre, dance, opera, art, international events, music festivals, and location-based entertainment (LBE), and embodies her motto of “what you call a fantasy, I call a plan”.
She first gained experience in the themed entertainment business during the early development of Warner Bros. Abu Dhabi. Her roles in interactive development at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and at the Vancouver Winter Olympics then led to positions in integration for Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s Na’vi River Journey and Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.
Motiongate, Hub Zero, Universal Creative, The Queen Mary, Vancouver Fringe Festival, Procter & Gamble’s Retail X Initiative, international tourism boards in Japan, and several upcoming immersive, interactive, and experiential gaming projects are among her notable executive producer credits and clients.
Rossini is committed to promoting new pathways into the industry. She enjoys teaching at multiple levels, from self-built programs like Next Gen Symposium to traditional education venues like Yale’s David Geffen School of Drama, Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and the University of Southern California.
She has a keen eye for emerging talent and a passion for fostering cross-functional teams. She has provided content and expertise at conferences such as IAAPA, USITT, SATE, and Denver Founder’s Week. Rossini co-founded Harriet B’s Descendants, an initiative that connects existing and aspiring professionals from traditionally underrepresented groups.
Strategic shift in project delivery approach
Rossini’s appointment and the addition of the portfolio director post represent a significant shift in ADKS’ project delivery strategy. Portfolio directors supervise projects within their assigned portfolio, ensuring smooth operations, collaboration, and adherence to agreed-upon deadlines and budgets. This structure combines high-level project leadership with top-tier account management, providing professional growth opportunities for project teams and exceptional service for clients.
This new role aims to strengthen ADKS’s existing connections with theme park operators. Rossini’s objective is to identify where expansion opportunities with new segments and partners, while also fostering co-creation relationships with existing clients by continually exceeding expectations.
Rossini says: “In the ecosystems of scenic design and fabrication studios, legacy-owned groups are becoming a rare breed, while ADKS continues to grow, learn, and evolve. They’ve also routinely served as an entry point or the important step up for people growing their entertainment design practice and developing into new roles.
“I’m excited to be joining so many new colleagues alongside those I’ve worked with for decades to add support and structure to these teams and deliver on our clients’ dreams.”
Jeff Moulton, VP of project delivery, adds: “Nicola is a tremendous addition to our re-focused project delivery team. Her extensive resume and highly regarded industry standing speak for themselves. What excited me most, though, is our shared vision for providing concierge-level dedication and care, delivering not just world-class product, but a level of passion and partnership worthy of ADKS and our top-tier clients.”
Adirondack Studios is attending the IAAPA Middle East Trade Summit (17-19 February) and Themed Entertainment Association’s INSPIRE Week and Thea Awards Gala (12-16 March). Please email to book a meeting.
ADKS recently reflected on its activities and achievements in 2024, which has been its most successful year this decade and featured new projects, new people, and a new approach.
