Purdue Themed Entertainment Design program in Indianapolis expands with industry partnerships

Purdue University’s Themed Entertainment Design program in Indianapolis is connecting students with the dynamic world of immersive experiences through a unique curriculum shaped by industry collaboration. Since its beginnings in 2018, this program—led by Christian Rogers and a dedicated team—has grown into a forward-thinking academic initiative, merging creativity and technical expertise to prepare students for careers in the experiential economy.

Recognizing a gap in formal education for themed and immersive entertainment, Rogers and his colleagues developed a curriculum in collaboration with industry experts, including Marc Dittmer, former Director of Technical Entertainment at Universal Studios. Dittmer, along with other leaders like Theron Skees of Designers Creative Studio and Bob Rogers of BRC Imagination Arts, has helped design courses that give Purdue students in Indianapolis insight into the creativity, technical skills, and problem-solving involved in the themed entertainment industry.

A turning point came in 2021 when Rogers partnered with Denise Chapman Weston, a well-known inventor and entrepreneur, to create the course “Future of Invention.” This class, now running in an online format, teaches students to see themselves as innovators, bringing in mentors such as Sir Richard Taylor from Weta Workshop and Brent Bushnell of 2-Bit Circus. Through this course, students gain an understanding of the invention process from idea generation to market-ready products, guided by some of the industry’s top creative minds.

Now, as part of Purdue’s offerings in Indianapolis, the program includes both an undergraduate degree and an online certificate through Purdue Online. Students have access to Purdue’s Fusion Studio for Entertainment and Engineering, which connects technology and engineering fields to entertainment, enhancing the interdisciplinary nature of the program. In collaboration with Rich Dionne from Purdue’s Theatre and Dance department, Rogers is also working on launching new courses in spring to broaden students’ educational experiences.

Purdue’s program also provides unique networking and real-world experience opportunities through the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo. Since 2019, students have attended the event, meeting industry professionals like Skees and Chris Herschend of Herschend Entertainment, while participating in guided tours and exclusive networking events. This year, Purdue is partnering with DIY Artcade to offer an on-site internship where students work directly with DIY Artcade’s booth, learning about product marketing and vendor engagement. Guided by Weston and Bushnell, students will gain firsthand experience and build connections in the themed entertainment industry.

With a mission to align education with industry needs, Purdue’s Themed Entertainment Design program in Indianapolis is positioning students as future leaders and innovators in a field that combines creativity with technology. By offering a curriculum shaped by industry leaders, the program enables students to step directly into professional roles, creating a bridge between academic learning and the fast-paced world of themed entertainment.