Art Thomas

Freelance Producer and Business Consultant

Art Thomas is an entertainment industry professional with over thirty five years of experience as a performer, designer, manager, and executive. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Ball State University with majors in both Legal Administration and Business.
 
During the 1970s, he worked primarily as a performer and technician in summer stock theatre. In the 1980s he worked as a technical designer and production manager in theme parks, such as Opryland and Cedar Point, as well as casinos, including Harrah’s and Atlantis. He joined the Walt Disney Company in 1990 where he was Business Manager of the Walt Disney World Creative Entertainment Division for six years, while concurrently functioning as Manager of Production Resources for three years.
 
In 1997, he transferred to Walt Disney Entertainment Worldwide, where he was Director of Corporate Character Programs and Development for 10 years, retiring in 2009. Since then, he has produced numerous magic-themed original works including The Theatre of the Unexplained and an ongoing production of Magic & Mayhem.
 
Outside of work, he is a collector of unusual magic memorabilia and is a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. He and his wife Sue have been active in the Florida Association of Magical Entertainers, where he served as President in 1999, and as a member of the Board of Directors until 2011. He continues to produce the stage shows for the Florida Magician's annual convention.