Awards
Awards season
The Themed Entertainment Association’s Thea Awards were created to bring recognition to achievement, talent and personal excellence within the themed entertainment industry. Now entering their 26th year, we take a look at this year’s winners.
Walt Disney Imagineering
“Nancy Seruto brings a rare blend of business acumen and creative talent, plus the ability to lead highly creative and interdisciplinary teams in a way that brings out the best in those around her. She has also been an active leader involved in promoting cultural exchange and supporting initiatives that foster inclusivity. Her 30+ year career has taken her around the world and touched pretty much every discipline and market sector of themed entertainment, including theatre and performing arts, touring exhibits, museums, theme parks, retail, restaurants, live events and casinos.” - Judging panel
Laguna Beach, CA, US
One of the most unique productions in the world, the Pageant of the Masters blends live performance, storytelling and the theatre arts for an experience that has been enjoyed by some 140,000 guests. Taking place every summer since 1933, the show re-creates famous works of art over 90-minutes, with a live narrator guiding the audience through the story of each piece.
Nolan Heimann LLP
Honouring the late Peter Chernack and recognising exceptional volunteer service to the Association, the Distinguished Service Award this year goes to Wendy Heimann-Nunes
• Attraction
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
Universal Orlando, USA
• Theme Park
Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi
UAE
• Museum, Limited Budget
The Cool Planet Experience
Wicklow, Ireland
• Family Entertainment Center
Wonderbox at Paradise City
Incheon, South Korea
• Museum Upgrade
Fram Museum
Oslo, Norway
• Museum Exhibit
The Hebrew Bible Experience,Museum of the Bible
Washington DC, US
• Connected Immersion
Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of the Worlds
London, England
• Connected Immersion, Limited Budget
Poverty Encounter, Children’s Hunger Fund
Sylmar, CA, US
• Attraction, Limited Budget
Popcorn Revenge
Walibi, Belgium
• Brand Experience
The Google Assistant Ride,
2019 CES Trade Show
Las Vegas, NV, US
• Attraction
Le Premier Royaume,
Grand Parc du Puy du Fou
Les Epesses, France
• Live Show Spectacular
The Legend of the Gods, Huaxiacheng Tourism Scenic Area
Weihai Huaxia City, Shandong, China
• Attraction
Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
Disneyland Resort, CA, US
• New Park Land
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Disneyland Resort, CA, US
• Technical Innovation Christie Eclipse 4K RGB Pure Laser Projector
The 26th annual Thea Awards will be formally presented in Anaheim, California, this April during the TEA Thea Awards Gala, which takes place during the annual TEA Summit. For more information go to www.teaconnect.org
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