The Thea Awards: Celebrating Excellence in Themed Entertainment
The Thea Awards were created to bring recognition to achievement, talent, and personal excellence within the themed entertainment industry. From a modest beginning in 1994, the Thea Awards have become internationally recognized as a symbol of excellence.
Origins of the Thea Awards
The idea for the Thea Awards was born in 1991 when Monty Lunde, founder of the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), recognized that the themed entertainment industry represented some of the most accomplished yet under-recognized talents in all of entertainment. After launching the TEA and guiding it through its critical early years, Monty’s next priority was the creation of an award to bring recognition and prestige to the people of the industry.
First Thea Awards Ceremony
The first Thea Awards ceremony was held in 1994 and produced by Ron Miziker of Miziker Entertainment. The event was coordinated by Jana Love, with Monty Lunde serving as Chairman of the Awards Ceremony Committee and as master of ceremonies. The ceremony took place at the Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, and was attended by over 200 people. The evening was partly a tribute and partly an affectionate "roast" of Harrison “Buzz” Price, the first recipient of the TEA Lifetime Achievement Award (now known as the Buzz Price Thea Award Recognizing a Lifetime of Distinguished Achievements).
The Thea Award Design
The name “Thea” is derived from the Greek goddess Thea, from whom all light emanates. Thea was the mother of Helios (the sun), Eos (the dawn), and Selene (the moon). The second key word is “Theater,” which derives from the goddess Thea. The third word is, of course, “TEA,” the name of the association. The original Thea and AOA (Award for Outstanding Achievement) trophies were designed by Barry Howard and Jeremy Railton. The new Thea, which debuted in 2001, was designed by Zofia Kostryko.
The Growth of the Thea Awards
The first year’s ceremony was a major success, and in 1995, the awards continued with a larger event at the Biltmore Hotel, attended by around 350 people. Marty Sklar of Walt Disney Imagineering was honored, and the format included tributes and light-hearted “roasts.” The second ceremony established a fun, celebratory tone that has continued in subsequent years.
In 1996, the Thea Awards reached a major turning point with the introduction of the Awards for Outstanding Achievement (AOA). This expanded the awards into a multi-category event. In this same year, the first credits list was introduced, which became a significant breakthrough, highlighting the multi-disciplinary nature of the industry and recognizing the contributions of all individuals and companies involved in creating a project.
The AOA and New Categories
The AOA awards are not restricted to fixed categories. The TEA can choose to honor achievements within specific categories or leave them open, depending on that year’s outstanding achievements. The AOA honors entire projects and recognizes everyone involved, asking project owners to designate the individuals who will accept the award on behalf of the team.
Noteworthy developments in the Thea Awards’ history include:
- 1996: The creation of a special AOA for Outstanding Individual awarded to Monty Lunde, recognizing his foundational role in the TEA.
- 1997: Introduction of two new AOA categories: Excellence on a Limited Budget (honoring achievements under $5 million) and the Thea Classic Award (for projects that have stood the test of time).
- 2014-2015: The creation of the Paragon Award, recognizing projects that set a new bar of excellence, such as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter attractions at Universal Studios.
- 2017 and onward: The introduction of the Connected Immersion category, reflecting advances in technology and storytelling that enhance guest experience.
The Growing Scope of the Thea Awards
As the themed entertainment industry expanded globally, the geographic scope of the Thea Awards grew accordingly. Today, the Thea Awards are not confined to theme parks but also include museums, heritage centers, casinos, multimedia spectaculars, brand experiences, theatrical productions, and more.
The Peter Chernack Distinguished Service Award
In addition to the Thea Awards, the Peter Chernack Distinguished Service Award is presented at the Thea Awards Gala. This award was created by the TEA Past Presidents Committee and renamed in honor of the late Peter Chernack, a past president of the TEA, who was instrumental in conceiving the award.
The Thea Awards Gala and TEA Summit
Just prior to the Thea Awards Gala, the recipients are honored at the TEA Thea Case Studies Day, which is part of the annual TEA Summit conference. Together, the TEA Summit and Thea Awards Gala represent the biggest weekend of the year for the TEA and the international attractions industry, bringing together hundreds of entertainment professionals from around the world to learn, network, and celebrate.
The Thea Awards Gala has become the premier social and business event within the industry, known for its elegance and black-tie atmosphere.
The Thea Awards Today
The Thea Awards are now internationally recognized as the equivalent of an Academy Award for the themed entertainment industry. Every year, over 100 highly qualified achievements from around the world compete for 12-18 awards.
Traditional awards include:
- The Buzz Price Thea Award for Lifetime of Outstanding Achievements
- The AOA (Award for Outstanding Achievement) – Any Category
- The AOA for Achievement on a Limited Budget
- The AOA for Technological Achievement
- The Thea Classic Award (Recognizing achievements that have stood the test of time)
- The Thea Catalyst Award (Recognizing individuals who have recently made an important impact on the industry)
The main goal of the Thea Awards remains unchanged: to find and celebrate excellence in themed entertainment. As the industry evolves, the Thea Awards will continue to grow and adapt, honoring talent, achievement, and professional excellence.
Sources: Bob Rogers of BRC Imagination Arts provided essential information for this article.