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Hello!

We love students! 

 

You are the future of the industry. Along with general resources that we think you might find handy as you learn more about the industry, we have collected a few that we think will benefit students who are in their initial stages of developing their work ethos.

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Big Break Foundation's Resource List

Stay Connected

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Join the Student Themed Entertainment Discord Server!

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Stay up to date in all the latest happenings with students with a passion for themed entertainment around the world. Within this server, there are opportunities for networking, attending various TEA NextGen meetings, as well as getting involved with the Student Themed Entertainment Project and more!

Attend a Semester Skill Session!

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Semester Skills Sessions is an initiative led by the Themed Entertainment Association at Notre Dame with invaluable help from other University clubs across the nation. The purpose is to provide both students and professionals with opportunities to develop new skills and also offers networking opportunities among the attendees and professionals including Semester Skills Socials where people can practice their networking skills and meet new people! The Semester Skills Sessions are open to people of all ages, interested in all kinds of industries.

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For more information contact Katelyn Wyatt.

Workshops and Experiential Learning

Themed Entertainment Creative Workshop Series (TECWS)​

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The TEC Workshop Series is comprised of themed entertainment professionals who recognize a needs for specific educational resources relating to careers within the industry.

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Themed Entertainment Association (TEA)

 

TEA is an international non-profit association representing the world’s leading creators, developers, designers and producers of compelling places and experiences.

SLICE Creative Network​

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SLICE Creative Network connects the industry to talented attraction industry Freelancers in the USA in one virtual place.

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blooloop.​

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Networking the attractions business. Blooloop is the world's leading online resource for professionals working in the visitor attractions sector.

American Alliance of Museums (AAM)

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Since 1906 the Alliance has been a leader in developing best practices and advocating for museums, as well as providing a host of opportunities to museum staff and volunteers.

Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA)

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AZA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conversation, education, science, and recreation.

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The Essential Art Department​

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A specialized Entertainment Industry Art Department learning platform, taught by industry professionals passionate about their work. Entertainment creation, inspiration and resources at your fingertips.

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International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA)

 

IAAPA hosts global events and conferences that spread successful ideas and practices.

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Harriet B's Daughters​

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An organization focused in mentoring the next generation of themed entertainment leadership to embrace and engage in the work of equity, access, and justice, and mindfully expand representation, inclusion, and diversity within guest experiences and creative works.

Themed Experience Television

(TETV)​

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TETV is a network hosting multiple shows surrounding various topics of the themed entertainment industry.

World Waterpark Association (WWA)

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WWA is an international not-for-profit member-based trade association that serves waterparks, aquatic venues and spray parks of all shapes and sizes.

Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)

 

ASTC is a professional membership organization with a vision of increased understanding of-and engagement with-science and technology among all people and a mission to champion and support science and technology centers and museums.

Memberships

News and Current Events

Other Resources

Here are some helpful articles to get you thinking...

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Watch how the industry is progressing...

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SATE 2019 - Cynthia Sharpe — Go Beyond Being an Ally. Be an Accomplice.

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Watch and listen to Cynthia Sharpe's talk explaining the intricacies and nuances of going beyond just being an ally in the workplace. She covers actionable items from all levels within a company or organization.

SATE 2018 — Beyond a Title: The Ingredient of Leadership, Part 2

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Fri brings passion and enthusiasm to the arts of storytelling and placemaking for multiple industries. Watch and listen to her presentation on effective leadership within the themed entertainment industry.

Untitled Themed Entertainment Design Show — Religion, Holidays, & Inclusivity (TETV)

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Join TETV in an interfaith round table discussion on religion, holidays, and inclusivity in themed entertainment. Featuring Mel McGowan, founder and chief creative officer for Storyland Studios, Cynthia Sharpe, co-founder of Harriet B's Daughters and principal of cultural attractions and research at Thinkwell Group, and Nicola Rossini, co-founder of Harriet B's Daughters and executive producer for Riding Chaos LLC.

So... You're About to Graduate College — An Open Conversation About Gender and Themed Entertainment (TETV)

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Watch for a frank, candid discussion with two prominent themed entertainment pros, Wendy Heimann-Nunes and Cynthia Sharpe, about the evolution and future of gender equity in the themed entertainment industry.

Untitled Themed Entertainment Design Show — The Themes We Grew Up With Were  Problematic (TETV)

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On this show the TETV team has a candid conversation, identifying issues and discuss how we can all do better within problematic themes and cultural appropriation within themed entertainment. This week Tahirah Agbamuche and Cynthia Sharpe and Xavier Treto join for this critical discussion.

Foot in Mouth: Crash Course 101

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  1. Apologize 

  2. Be defenseless and have uncomfortable conversations to learn varying perspectives

  3. Take Action

    • Seek educational tools to understand your bias and work daily to unlearn biases  

    • Invite someone you trust on your journey to hold you accountable 

  4. Speak up & stand out when you witness discrimination

    • Actively Listen, avoid listening to respond 

    • Give support in the moment, don’t approach victims or make excuses after the fact

    • Report incident for accountability 

    • Ensure there are no consequences or retaliation towards victim/whistleblower

    • Follow-Up through resolution 

  5. Reflect on ways to progress towards equitable best practice 

Scenario 1 (Anti-Racism):

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Summer C. Gory was a highly ambitious recent graduate looking to land her dream job. When she applied for ideal positions, she would always get a callback, did well on phone interviews but that seemed to be as far as she could go. 

 

Summer noticed when she went in for in-person interviews, she would always get the following comment, “Oh, you’re Summer.” Summer is a Black woman but on paper and over the phone, her racial identity isn’t as obvious.

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  • Something to Think About:

    • “Oh, you’re Summer.” 

      • Given the context, how do you think Summer felt? 

    • Given that Summer is Black and was always able to get the paper screening and phone interviews, what made the in-person different? 

    • Have you ever reviewed a resume and assumed they’re a particular race? 

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  • How to do better:

    • Notice the behavior, acknowledge it is discrimination and make an effort to not continue the practice.

Scenario 2 (LGBTQ+):

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Taylor Jones is a well-educated professional in her field. When she applied for jobs for which she was highly qualified, she would receive calls inviting her for a phone interview. When she answered the phone, however, the prospective employer would misgender her due to the deepness of her voice. When she corrected them and indicated that she was Taylor, the prospective employers would awkwardly bumble through the remainder of the call. 

 

In instance when she would be invited in for an interview, she would be misgendered due to the depth of her voice and her not having passing privileges as a transgender woman. Though on paper she was perfect for the job, Taylor’s gender identity was not obvious on her application thus she experienced traumatic misgendering. 

 

  • Something to Think About:

    • What assumptions did the interviewer make that led to their confusion?

    • Have you ever reviewed a resume and assumed their gender? 

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  • How to do better:

    • Don’t make gender assumptions based on names on paper nor the tone of a person’s voice. 

    •  If unclear, verify their pronouns.

Scenario 3 (Accessibility):

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Brian Smith is an industry professional with extensive work experience and always open to new opportunities. He has no problem landing phone/video interviews, they typically end very well. However, when he mentions he is disabled and uses a wheelchair the conversation/opportunity tends to go south. 

 

Being in a wheelchair doesn't mean he requires no additional accommodations outside of the standard ADA compliance. He also does not need extended time off work for any medical appointments. Brian’s disability has nothing to do with his intellectual nor cognitive skill sets. 

 

  • Something to Think About:

    • Why do you think the conversations immediately change once the wheelchair is mentioned?  

    • Have you ever made assumptions about disabled people and their ability to function in the workplace?

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  • How to do better:

    • Don’t make the initial assumptions based on a person’s disabilities. 

    • Physical disabilities don’t equate with less intelligence. 

© 2024 by Big Break Foundation

Big Break Foundation is a non-profit organization.

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