Andy Garfield

Instructor, Sound Design

A twenty five year veteran of the entertainment industry, Andy began his career at Walt Disney Imagineering's Media Production department. Since then, Andy has worked with such luminaries as Steven Spielberg and James Cameron on interactive media projects, composed music for feature films such as FROZEN(2010) and has been instrumental in creating the media for major themed

entertainment projects around the world. Recent projects include the site mix for the Thea Award™ winning interactive dark ride: Popcorn Revenge at Walibi Belgium, music and sound for the Thea Award™ winning Warner Brothers World, Abu Dhabi, The Gods of Egypt VR Coaster at Lionsgate Entertainment World in Hengquin China, the Marathon of Mayhem lagoon shows at Universal Studios Orlando and numerous other confidential projects opening soon. For more, visit www.pachinkomedia.com.

Robert Coker 

Senior Creative/ Show Writer

Robert Coker is a themed entertainment creative and show writer at Super 78 Studios (www.super78.com), author of the book “Roller Coasters: A Thrill Seeker’s Guide To The Ultimate Scream Machines,” co-host of The Season Pass podcast (www.seasonpasspodcast.com), and creator of the ThrillRide! website (http://thrillride.com).

Bill Kivi (He/Him)

Instructor, 3D Design

A little story about me I'm a friendly, fun, and highly creative multi-disciplined artist. I have a healthy love of theme parks and animation that was fostered by my family's countless trips to theme parks and regular consumption of animation.

I have 13 years of design and professional leadership experience. For the last 5 years, I have Designed, Art Directed, and Directed CG Animation for award-winning interactive dark rides. I am also an award-winning animation director with an MFA in Animation from Savannah College of Art & Design. I play well with others and never shy away from a new challenge.

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I can help with: Blue Sky Story and Concept Development, Show Writing, Interactive Gameplay Development, Dark Ride Design, 3D Show Set Design, 3D Ride Vehicle Design, Scenic Art Direction of build and installation, Visualization Ride-Through Videos of Attractions, and Interactive Media Direction and Installation.

Marcel Santos

Instructor, Concept Art 

Marcel has spent the last 9 years working in theme park, automotive, film and consumer products industry bringing complex worlds, vehicles and award-winning products to life. Working across these industries and multi-disciplinary teams has brought a pragmatic design process to his projects. He also teaches Automotive and Entertainment Design at Art Center College of Design. Marcel is currently the Art & Design Director at Disney Parks Live Entertainment and has worked for Mattel, Hasbro, ILM, Universal and several others in the past. 

Ted Dougherty

Instructor, Creative Writing

Ted Dougherty is a freelance writer, producer, and director having worked in key creative capacities with Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights, Knott’s Scary Farm, Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, Los Angeles Haunted Hayride, Cedar Fair LLC, FX Networks, Hollow Studios, and several others. Through the years, Ted has not only worked closely on the creative for some of the largest Halloween attractions in the theme park industry, he has written and directed innovative theatrically driven escape rooms, live action 4D virtual reality horror experiences and cutting edge experiential marketing events. Prior to authoring the award-winning book, Knott’s Halloween Haunt: A Picture History, the first comprehensive history of Knott’s Scary Farm, Ted scared thousands as a “slider” monster in Knott’s famous Ghost Town Scare Zone. A crazed aficionado of the macabre, Ted uncovers innovative ways to terrorize through themed entertainment.

Jason Thompson

Instructor, Seasonal Design Magic Castle Course

Jason Thompson is from Central California where he began his haunt and creative path. He co-created multiple successful haunts. Moving to LA he got into the feature film business which gained him knowledge of set decor, set building, audio theming, digital effects and film editing. In LA he also created, designed and built innovative products for the Halloween Haunted Attraction Industry, Theme Parks, entertainment venues and private events, creating animatronics, themed visuals, painting effects and more. Using his marketing and promotion skills, he boosted social media businesses and increased revenue sales for events and immersive attractions like Halloween Week at The Magic Castle in Hollywood an upscale haunt experience for members and their guests. He helped create the “missing” scene for the film “Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation.” and also became co-producer of “LA GhostTrain'' and the new owner of “HauntX: The Ultimate DIY Haunters & Halloween Expo”. In his day job, he works  in various capacities for one of the largest entertainment companies in the world, Disney. He is always looking for new and innovative ways to bring technology to the haunt community and business’, always looking to help anyone out with their established haunt, simple home yard haunt, or special event. He has also worked with various production companies and special event teams to create thematic interactive immersive events.

Morgane Keesling (She/Her)

Founder + CEO TECWS | Art Director | Art Professor

Morgane has spent the last 10 years as a concept designer and art director, and has designed everything from animatronic characters to stage shows, live events, to museum experiences. She also teaches at Long Beach State University and loves being involved in the career development of up-and-coming professionals in the Themed Entertainment industry. Morgane currently works as the art director for Super 78 Studios. 
 

www.morganekeesling.com
 

Xochilt Khoury (She/Her)

Administrative Manager

Xochilt is a senior studying Speculative Design (Media) and Theatre (Minor) at UC San Diego. She loves to help people and is highly involved in the themed entertainment community at a student and professional level. Much of her experience as a writer, coordinator, and experience designer comes from five Warner Bros. internships, projects with TEA@UCSD, competitions, and TEA NextGen Committee. Upon graduation, she wants to work in creative development of themed entertainment attractions such as haunts, theme park rides and shows, and themed events. 

Bonnie Stinson (She/They)

Alumni Relations Officer

Bonnie is a neurodivergent writer and experience designer. For the last eight years, she has developed stories with tangible media, immersive environments, and transmedia merchandising. Bonnie has a Master of Digital Media and is passionate about uniting the power of data & story to elevate stakeholder engagement. She is an American currently living and working in Canada. 

Kali Fuller (She/Her)

Website Design Content Manager

Kali enjoys using her imagination to create thoughtful and enchanting design concepts that tell a story. She has an AS in Photography from Daytona State College, a BAS in Interior Design from Seminole State College and is in pursuit of her MFA in Themed Experience from the University of Central Florida. She is very involved in the themed entertainment community, loves to learn new things, and enjoys collaborating with a team to create creative digital design concepts by contributing her knowledge and skills in interior design, photography, and graphic design.