The USC School of Cinematic Arts is excited to welcome former Epic Universe Creative Director and Disney Imagineer, Steve Tatham to the Interactive Media & Games Division (IMGD) as faculty and director of the School’s Themed Entertainment Program.

Tatham is considered one of the world’s most accomplished themed entertainment designers. He most recently served as Executive Creative Director of Epic Universe, the groundbreaking Universal Studios theme park. Previously, he was Vice President of Creative for Universal Studios Japan, where he worked with Japanese intellectual property (IP) such as Godzilla, Attack on Titan, and Sailor Moon. He also held creative leadership roles at Walt Disney Imagineering, contributing to projects across the company’s theme parks. Tatham has earned six Themed Entertainment Association Awards (the theme park Oscars), along with numerous other honors. He also serves as Chief Creative Officer at MDSX, an innovative experience design firm.

“I’m honored to join and lead USC’s Interactive Media & Games’ Themed Entertainment Program,” said Steve Tatham.  “I’ve spent my career creating stories people can step inside, from theme parks and museum exhibitions to worlds inhabited by Mickey Mouse and Godzilla. What excites me most about USC is the opportunity to take everything I’ve learned inside the berm and ask what comes next: How can we expand the boundaries of themed entertainment, bring entirely new kinds of stories and places to life, and prepare students to create experiences none of us has imagined yet?”

SCA’s BFA program in Themed Entertainment draws on a variety of disciplines to develop immersive cinematic experiences across locations ranging from theme parks and zoos to retail spaces, museums, and restaurants.  Students learn to create and invent themed narratives that will run the gamut from immersive theater to next-generation virtual reality experiences. Drawing on his diverse professional background, Tatham plans to help students explore the breadth of this evolving industry. In addition to his design work, his experience includes stand-up comedy, radio hosting, tour guiding, serving as a Disney Jungle Cruise Skipper, and author.

“IMGD’s Themed Entertainment program is singular within academia and industry because it truly gives students a deep dive into a category that millions enjoy each year but few have the opportunity to formally study,” said IMGD Chair Danny Bilson. “Steve Tatham is the ideal professor to lead this program and guide our students as they craft the next generation of in-person entertainment. His unique background directing large and small projects makes him able to relate to where the students are now and where they want to go. We are ecstatic to welcome him to the faculty.”

For more information on the IMGD’s Themed Entertainment Program, please visit: https://cinema.usc.edu/interactive/