Adirondack Studios: Celebrating 50 years of creative excellence

Adirondack’s journey from the theater stage to the world stage

by Wendy M. Grant

Adirondack Studios (ADKS) is celebrating 50 years of transforming bold creative visions into exceptional experiences. Founded as a small scenic studio rooted in theater and stagecraft, ADKS has grown into a global leader in creative design and fabrication, with over 300 employees, multiple production facilities in New York, Orlando and Dubai, and offices in Pasadena, Singapore and Shanghai.

Their impressive client roster ranges from themed entertainment giants Disney, Universal Destinations & Experiences and Dubai Parks & Resorts to well-known brands Warner Bros. Discovery, Christian Dior and Google to cultural institutions such as Lincoln Center and the Franklin Institute. Known for their innovation, craftsmanship, and collaborative spirit, ADKS brings together cutting-edge technology and traditional artistry to create immersive experiences that captivate audiences around the world. As they kick off their 50th anniversary celebration, the company reflects on its incredible legacy, while looking ahead to an exciting future filled with even more groundbreaking projects and creative possibilities.

The early years: Foundations in theater and stagecraft

In 1975, three college friends, Tom Lloyd, Walter Blake, and the late Chris Detmer, started a company in Warrensburg, New York, focused on scenic design and fabrication for live theatrical productions. Lloyd, Founding Principal of ADKS, recalls that it was a combination of “operatic roots, the love of stagecraft, and good colleagues, combined with a dose of moderate insanity” that inspired them to create what was then known as Adirondack Scenic, named for the surrounding Adirondack Mountains.

The first few years are challenging for any new company. But in 1978, two big opportunities in live entertainment laid the groundwork for ADKS’s future success.

First came General Electric’s 100th Anniversary Celebration, which consisted of three concurrent six-week tours of 46 cities. Lloyd recalls, “We designed the show and provided all the sets, lighting, AV, audio equipment, supervision and local crews.” This large-scale event showcased the company’s ability to handle high-profile, complex productions, and it led to ADKS handling most of GE’s major corporate events for the next three decades.

The other early pivotal project was Bugs Bunny Follies, an arena-touring kids’ show produced by Broadway producer Rodger Hess that featured costumed cartoon characters and voiceover tracks from Mel Blanc. The success of that tour led to ADKS being tapped for a string of touring productions over the next 10 years.

Growth into a global organization: Fostering talent worldwide

Based on both their theme park work – which began with Busch Gardens Williamsburg in 1978 – and their live performance work with clients like Ice Follies, ADKS was invited to provide show sets and scenic finishing for seven attractions at Universal Studios Florida.

Since that relationship began in 1989, they have worked on more than 75 attractions globally for Universal Destinations & Experiences. Lloyd says, “These high-profile projects gave us exposure to the global marketplace. In the 1990s, we expanded our repertoire to include resorts, casinos, restaurants, supermarkets, performance venues, museums and interactive attractions.”

ADKS was also engaged by the Totally Fun Company to design and build a series of outdoor stunt shows for every Six Flags park in the United States, along with several in Mexico. Lloyd notes that the attractions had rigorous requirements, and ADKS rose to the challenge, adopting new methodologies and processes to meet codes, weather and seismic conditions.

With the influx of work, ADKS quickly outgrew its facilities, and the company moved to its current global headquarters: a 126,000-square-foot facility in Argyle, New York. Then the company expanded into other countries. “As opportunities opened for us in the Middle East and Singapore, we chose to engage in those regions with localized offices,” explains Lloyd.

Through this global strategy, ADKS created a network of regional partners while maintaining its commitment to quality and timely project delivery. Michael Blau, ADKS President and Principal, notes, “Fostering talent from around the world helps us on world-class projects, as does ensuring that we have artisans and craftspeople at each of our locations who are truly passionate about what they do.”

And even though ADKS team members are located around the world, they enjoy working together on projects. For instance, Blau explains, “Something may be designed in Pasadena, then fabricated in upstate New York or Orlando, then installed by our Dubai team, or any combination that makes the project better. Those kinds of projects really help us feel like a unified global community.”

An arsenal of skills for thoughtful artistry: The capabilities of ADKS

ADKS has built an arsenal of skills and services that cover every phase of a project. Whether it’s conceptual design, engineering, fabrication, or project management, ADKS has the in-house talent and resources to bring complex visions to life. Their ability to handle all stages of a project, from ideation to installation, sets them apart as one of the few companies capable of offering a full spectrum of creative services. But Blau says, “Our goal is to never take on too much work but always just the right amount to allow for thoughtful artistry.”

Before ADKS even bids on a project, they internally debate the best ways to solve the potential client’s design challenges. “Team makeup is also crucial. We want to make sure we have the right collective knowledge on every project,” Blau explains. “There are many projects that we would love to work on, but we disqualify them if we don’t have the right people available during the timeframe of the project.” Adds Florida Scenic Manager Jessie Shur, “Working together with the right team, we can better address problems efficiently and holistically.”

Another unique aspect to the ADKS ethos is their view of competitors as potential collaborators. Lloyd shares, “We recognize our strengths, and we also realize that many of our colleagues in this industry have different qualifications. Often, we are able to achieve better outcomes by joining forces.”

To date, ADKS has completed more than 4,800 projects worldwide, showcasing their expertise across diverse fields, including themed entertainment, cultural destinations, museums, and resorts. For example, ADKS brought Krustyland to life for The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Florida; designed the elegant Dr. Inks, Ph.D. bar for a Carnival Cruise Line ship; built a giant, stunning seven-foot-tall pineapple clock for Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at Atlantis The Royal in Dubai, UAE; completed fabrication and installation for Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station in Denver, Colorado; and crafted a set featuring movable towers and bridges for Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Ring Cycle.

When asked about a memorable project, Blau cites Citrovia, a 30,000-square-foot immersive pop-up lemon garden for Brookfield Properties’ Manhattan West development. For the grove of 15-foot-tall fabricated lemon trees, ADKS handcrafted more than 700 resin lemons and nearly 4,000 leaves made from steel and foam. The New York Times hailed Citrovia as a “Seussian wonder” and Architectural Digest called it “a fantasyland of magical realism.”

Blau had seen the lemon grove in concept and in production. But the bright yellow trees on a lush green landscape still made him smile when he saw Citrovia in Manhattan. During his visit, he noticed art students on a field trip hand-sketching the original work ADKS had created. Blau said, “It really excited me to see that our work was influencing artists learning their craft.”

For Shur, it’s the individuals she’s worked with versus the individual projects that have proven to be the most memorable: “Laughing through a construction site together while getting drenched by a downpour that popped up with no warning because there is nothing to do at that point but laugh, having the same song stuck in your head for three years because your coworker did – those are the memories that I love to think back on.”

The “Make A Scene” initiative: Honoring the ADKS team

As ADKS approaches its 50th anniversary, the company has launched “Make A Scene,” a program designed to honor its legacy, celebrate its culture and position the company for continued growth. “Make A Scene” aims to highlight the diverse talents of the ADKS team and expand awareness of the company’s capabilities through initiatives such as two YouTube series that showcase the work and personalities of its project managers, designers and fabricators.

“Make A Scene” also emphasizes the core philosophy of ADKS, which hearkens back to the company’s roots in scenic design: Every project should tell a story and evoke a deep emotional response from the audience.

Blau says, “For years, we have prided ourselves on being the best-kept secret in the industry, working on quality projects and custom fabrication. ‘Make A Scene’ now gives us permission to let the world know who we really are, while reinforcing our culture and values to the next generation of ADKS employees.”

Additionally, ADKS is planning a series of announcements, events, activities and surprises throughout the coming year, so that colleagues, clients, vendors and supporters are all able to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary.

Looking ahead: Fifty more years of creative solutions

As ADKS embarks on its next 50 years, the company remains committed to evolving with the ever-changing landscape of the themed entertainment industry. Embracing new technology is at the forefront of their growth strategy, allowing ADKS to push the boundaries of what’s possible while staying true to their legacy of creativity and artistry.

“There has always been a belief that we can do it,” says Shur. “We might need to work to figure out exactly how, or who, but looking at anything with the mindset that it can be done with the right ideas behind it has allowed the designers, managers, craftspeople, artists, fabricators, etc., to produce beautiful and interesting work that maybe none of us knew would finally come together.”

So, if you ask where ADKS is going in the future, Blau will tell you: “Wherever our creative industry collaborators need us to go.”

To learn more about ADKS and their 50th Anniversary plans, visit www.wemakeascene.com and follow them on LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. •