The League of Extraordinary Storytellers

Episode 19 - Roberta Perry

Great opportunities often begin with one person opening a door. In this episode of The League of Extraordinary Storytellers, Theron Skees speaks with Roberta Perry, business development strategist, founding member and past international president of the Themed Entertainment Association, and longtime leader in the global attractions industry. Roberta shares her unconventional journey from restaurants and nightclub entertainment to technology, themed entertainment, and industry leadership. The conversation explores relationship-building, collaboration, business strategy, storytelling, technology, and why serving a professional community is more powerful than simply networking within it. 🎧 Listen now to discover how relationships, courage, and a willingness to say yes can shape both a career and an industry.

Episode 18 - Doug Griffith

What makes an Audio-Animatronics character feel alive? In this episode of The League of Extraordinary Storytellers, Theron Skees speaks with Doug Griffith, creative leader, animator, concept designer, educator, and subject matter expert in Audio-Animatronics animation. Doug shares insights from his decades-long career at Walt Disney Imagineering, including the early WED Enterprises days, EPCOT, Tokyo Disneyland, Alien Encounter, Pirates of the Caribbean, Country Bear Musical Jamboree, and the evolution of digital tools in character design. The conversation explores themed entertainment, character animation, robotics, storytelling, believability, the Uncanny Valley, multidisciplinary collaboration, and the future of animatronics in experience design. 🎧 Listen now to explore how artistry, technology, and imagination come together to create characters audiences believe in.

Episode 17 - Dave Hoffman

In this episode of The League of Extraordinary Storytellers, I speak with Dave Hoffman, former Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Development Executive with a 35-year career in themed entertainment. Dave shares insights on experience design, storytelling, and creative leadership, including his work across Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disney Resort. The conversation explores collaboration, guest experience, operational design, and the balance between creative vision and business realities.

Episode 16 - Lyndsey Archer

In this episode of The League of Extraordinary Storytellers, Theron Skees speaks with Lyndsey Archer, former Walt Disney Imagineering designer and Founder of Studio Archer. Lyndsey shares how experience design creates emotional connection, how art and interior architecture evolve into immersive environments, and what it takes to lead collaborative teams across global projects. The conversation explores storytelling, brand experience, themed entertainment, entrepreneurship, and the role of emotional design in the Experience Economy.

Episode 15 - Jason McManus

In this episode of The League of Extraordinary Storytellers, Theron Skees speaks with Jason McManus, Principal and Executive Creative Director at TAIT and former Walt Disney Imagineering creative leader. Jason shares how experience design creates emotional connection, why creative directors must communicate across disciplines, and how the themed entertainment industry continues to evolve globally. The conversation explores storytelling, theme park design, guest experience, the Experience Economy, emerging technologies like AI, and the growing influence of immersive design across industries including healthcare, hospitality, and education.