Stepping Into the Story: Theatrical Storytelling in Theme Parks
Publication Date
2026
Presentation Length
15 minutes
College
College of Music & Performing Arts
Department
Theatre and Dance, Department of
Student Level
Undergraduate
Faculty Mentor
James Al-Shamma
Presentation Type
Talk/Oral
Summary
Stepping Into the Story: Theatrical Storytelling in Theme Parks
Emily Miller
The Walt Disney Company is known for its expertise in theme park entertainment and theatrical performance. It provides immersive experiences that combine iconic stories, design, and audience participation. Far beyond just rides and shows, though, Disney’s attractions function as living theatre complete with narrative structure, character arcs, spectacle, and emotional engagement. Through the analyses of the famed ride Pirates of the Caribbean, as well as Hollywood Studio’s newest villains production, Unfairly Ever After, this essay examines how Walt Disney World employs theatrical conventions to build its legacy of storytelling and innovation, while also redefining the boundaries between amusement, art, and performance in the twenty-first century.
Recommended Citation
Miller, Emily W., "Stepping Into the Story: Theatrical Storytelling in Theme Parks" (2026). SPARK Symposium Presentations. 692.
https://repository.belmont.edu/spark_presentations/692
