Brandi C Creason ~ Director / Senior Instructor

Mgr. Art/Design for HHN / Universal Studios Hollywood /Co- Founder

For over 30 years, Brandi has solidified herself as a valued member of the art department team by striving to go above and beyond on a daily basis. Her passion for this industry drives her to continue to delve deeper on every project, and keep her skillsets current, and it is this passion, that she wishes to instill in the creative, young people coming up today. The Essential Art Department is her brainchild and passion project. A project meant to inspire and guide through experiential learning of one of the most demanding departments on any project. Brandi knew at a young age that she was destined to be an artist. With a musical father and an artist mother, she didn't fall far from the tree! Brandi grew up in Colorado, where she attended Metropolitan State University and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. Realizing at that time that there were just way too many graphic artists getting ready to saturate the market, Brandi was persuaded by her mentor to attend graduate school for Theatre Set Design. She had just newly discovered this design capacity but was fully drawn to it. She applied and was accepted to The California Institute of the Arts, where she plunged into design in every facet and received her Master's of Fine Arts in Theatre Scene Design. Still not satisfied with being held to design amongst the theatre profession, she continued to shadow and work with her mentors in the Film and TV industry. She was smitten from the get go, and couldn't get enough of Hollywood. She found her skillsets as a formidable draftsperson would play a big part in some of the most rewarding jobs that she would have throughout the industry. Her drafting skills landed her a freelance job with Universal Studios Hollywood, where she met and become friends with the head Artistic Director, Chris Williams, with whom she would continue to work with for the next 20 years. 16 years into her work with Universal Studios Hollywood, they offered her a permanent position as a Production Designer in the Entertainment Department, with her lead focus working on the very popular, Halloween Horror Nights with Chris Williams as the Lead Production Designer. Brandi has spent every day in some sort of design capacity, and not a day goes by when she drives into work, without her smiling and saying out loud, wow, I work in this crazy industry, I'm part of the magic.
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Brandi C Creason



"With passion, anything can be achieved. Don't give up, don't let anyone tell you can't do it. If you don't love what you're doing, then you shouldn't be doing it!!

 ~  Brandi C.

Jamie Bartkowicz ~ Asst. Director / Lead Instructor

Designer / Mentor / Co-Founder

Jamie originally hails from the Detroit area of Michigan, but moved out to Los Angeles in 2015 after getting her Bachelor of Science in Film & TV Production. Many of her first gigs out of college were working as an Art PA and Set Dresser. Just a few months after settling in L.A., Jamie found herself in a new area of Entertainment: Theme Parks. She worked at Universal Studios Hollywood as part of the Entertainment Production Department from 2015-2021. During her time there, she had worked on the Art & Design team for various projects, from seasonal events to park decor. However, Halloween was an everyday affair since her primary role was working on creating Halloween Horror Nights year round. That's where she met Brandi! Currently Jamie works back in the Film industry at Walt Disney Studios as part of the Physical Assets team, managing the props, set dec, costumes, & more of Disney Live Action & 20th Century Fox, and Searchlight Pictures films. In her free time, Jamie loves getting involved with different outreach programs and entertainment organizations. She enjoys mentoring students and expanding her network through all mediums on the Entertainment industry! Jamie is now partnering with Brandi on this new venture, The Essential Art Department, to teach and instruct about the details of the Art Department to up and coming young designers and artisans. The Entertainment Industry offers a rare side to the Art Department that lends itself to being a well-rounded artisan in so many areas, that a good career can definitely come to you if you set yourself up with the right skillsets.
Contact: Jamie B
Jamie Bartkowicz



"All the 'greats' started somewhere. Never be ashamed or embarrassed of where you are at. You've got to keep going." 

 ~  Jamie B

Shannon M. Mahoney ~ Project & Outreach Coordinator

Instructor/Artist/Creative/Designer

Discovering the theater at a very young age, Shannon was writing, directing and set designing before she could drive. Her insatiable creative curiosity led her to study and work in filmmaking, acting, dance, visual arts, improvisation, and sketch comedy. Riding shotgun to her love of these traditional mediums is her passion for innovation and a desire to encourage others. This drove her to design a Self-Expression program that focused on emotional storytelling and the creative process as an outlet for both professional and amateur artists. She evolved that program into a coaching practice called Muse Lab, where she currently works with individuals to develop their talent and ideas and refine their process. Her clients’ work can be seen on Netflix, Starz, AMC, Peacock and more. Her own recent projects included directing macabre sketch shows for The Second City, several interior and graphic design projects and editing the book Improv Made Easier. A few years ago, Shannon had the epiphany that the golden thread weaving through all her adventures in creativity, healing, performance, and service is her love of CREATING EXPERIENCES. This is why she has now narrowed her focus to the themed and immersive entertainment industry where she feels she can best fulfill this dream and let her imagination thrive. She is thrilled to be in the company of so many talented collaborators and for those yet to come. Along with her role at TEAD, she is thrilled to be moving forward into themed/immersive entertainment in the company of so many talented collaborators and teachers.
Contact: Shannon M.
Shannon Mary Mahoney


Ted Dougherty

Experiential Writer/Director/Producer

Ted Dougherty is a writer, producer, and director having worked in key creative capacities with Knott’s Scary Farm, Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights, Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, Los Angeles Haunted Hayride, Cedar Fair LLC, Cedar Point, FX Networks, and several others. Through the years, Ted has not only worked closely on the creative for some of the largest Halloween attractions in the theme park industry, but he has also written and directed innovative theatrically driven horror escape rooms, live action 4D virtual reality horror experiences and cutting-edge experiential marketing events. Prior to authoring the award-winning book, Knott’s Halloween Haunt: A Picture History, the first comprehensive history of Knott’s Scary Farm, Ted scared thousands as a “slider” monster in Knott’s famous Ghost Town Scare Zone. A crazed aficionado of the macabre, Ted uncovers innovative ways to terrorize through themed entertainment.
Contact: Ted D.
Ted Dougherty


Justin Martin

Art Director/ Creative Director

Since graduating from Savannah College of Art and Design with a degree in Production Design and Themed Entertainment Design in 2015, Justin has gone on to work for some of the most creative experience design groups in themed entertainment. From Thinkwell Group, Universal Creative, and Meow Wolf, Justin's body of work spans all areas of the themed entertainment industry. Recently, Justin served as the Art Director bringing to life Meow Wolf's Convergence Station in Denver, CO and now currently works as the Sr. Art Director for ocVIBE Sports and Entertainment, designing a 90-acre next-generation entertainment complex coming to the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. Ever since a young age, Justin always wanted to work in themed entertainment, building models of attractions, sketching out new show ideas, and dreaming up what the next big idea would be, and ultimately he would go on to make those dreams a reality. While working a full-time job as an Art Director, Justin enjoys giving back to the new age of talent coming into the industry, hoping to guide the next generation of designers on how to jumpstart a successful career doing what they love.


Cameron Creath

3D Modeler / Environment Designer

Cameron is an expert SketchUp modeler currently running his own business 3D modeling for interior design firms and furniture companies. Previously working in the hospitality interior design industry Cameron has worked on designing large scale hospitality projects like the guest room redesigns at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Cameron is a graduate of the California Institute of the Arts receiving a BFA in Theatrical Scenic Design. His passion lives in all things theme park and immersive experience design. Cameron is beyond excited to be joining The Essential Art Department as a SketchUp instructor! As a previous student of TEAD he cannot wait to work with creative and eager students. He is a real geek about European theme parks!
Contact: Cameron C.


Peyton Varney

Senior Environment Artist

Peyton Varney is a Senior Environment Artist @ Naughty Dog LLC where he recently shipped The Last of Us: Part 1 & Part 2. He has been at the studio for the past 6 years working on bringing realistic environments and the stories to go along with them through each detail. Previous to Naughty Dog, Peyton spent time during an internship working at Insomniac Games on Marvel's Spider-Man. He has also taught 3D online for the past 5 years helping prospective individuals learn the pipeline of creating environments for games and brings a plethora of knowledge and know-how of modern industry techniques. In addition, he also creates content through tutorials with schools and also his own YouTube channel. Through all of his avenues, Peyton has a strong passion for sharing content and helping others follow their own passion for working on environments and 3D worlds within entertainment.
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AJ Danna

Actor / Voiceover Artist

AJ Danna is a Los Angeles-born actor, known primarily for his work in immersive themed entertainment and voiceover. He is also known for portraying monsters and other creatures with special effects studios and Halloween productions. AJ’s improv training from ComedySportz and The Groundlings School prepared him for an acting career dedicated to interpersonal connections, karmically giving back what he often experienced as a young guest at theme parks in Southern California. AJ’s performance work encompasses immersive experiences for clients including Netflix, Amazon, Universal, Blumhouse, Sony, 20th Century Studios, Warner Bros., Audible, and JoJo Siwa. He has also played over one hundred characters (and counting!) for theme parks and experiential entertainment destinations throughout the world. From Alton Towers in the UK to Six Flags Magic Mountain in California, AJ regularly performs voiceovers for theme park rides, haunted attractions, firework shows, and animatronics. He also works as a freelance themed entertainment show writer, frequently collaborating with Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group and Palace Entertainment to develop scripts. Last but not least, you may have seen AJ on Disney Channel, Disney+, or NBC, in addition to his appearances in a variety of themed entertainment history documentaries. AJ hopes to see YOU in a TEAD classroom soon!
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Fionnegan Murphy

Sr. Systems Designer

For the past seventeen years, Fionnegan Murphy has designed, installed, and programmed Audio, Video, and Show Control systems in entertainment venues around the world. For 12 years, Fionnegan was the lead designer, engineer, and programmer of Audio, Video, and Show Control for the mazes at Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood. He was also the Show Control and Video designer and engineer for the Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. interactive exhibition tour that took him to Paris, China, Singapore, Australia, Sweden, London, and Las Vegas. His engineering skills were also be seen at the Epcot Experience Center, which boasted the most intricate projecting mapping experience in the world. Fionnegan also led the Audio, Video, and Controls design for the Stranger Things Experience, and oversaw it’s installation in New York, Atlanta, and Paris. He has worked with clients like Universal Studios, Netflix, Meow Wolf, The Hettema Group, BRC Creative Arts, and many more.
Contact: Fionnegan M.





Rob Tintoc

Themed Entertainment Production Designer / Art Director

Rob Tintoc is a themed entertainment designer whose work spans theatre, event design and live entertainment, with a strong belief in developing innovative experiences that are both magical and memorable. For the past decade, his primary focus has been in themed entertainment, where he has provided art direction from conception to realization on a multitude of projects as a Production Designer in the Entertainment Department of Universal Studios Hollywood. You may have enjoyed some of his designs from such experiences as Grinchmas, Lunar New Year, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure, Halloween Horror Nights R.I.P. Experience, The Jabbawockeez, WaterWorld, Universal’s Animal Actors and many more. Rob holds an MFA in Theatre and Dance Design from The University of California San Diego and a BFA in Theatre Design and Technology from The University of Evansville.
Contact: Rob T.
Rob Tintoc


Your Name ~ Professional Instructor

If you want to teach within the TEAD family, let us know your interest and you could be the next Professional Instructor that we bring in! Come work with some of the most amazing and talented students around! Join The Essential Art Department's teaching experience today!
Contact for more info...

Andy Sklar

Production Designer / Art Director / Concept Artist

Andy Sklar was born in the north suburbs of Chicago. Frequent excursions to the city’s Field Museum with its eye-popping dioramas and regular viewings of all things sci-fi and fantasy fueled his young imagination. On childhood visits to his grandparents in Sarasota, Florida, Andy found inspiration in the Ringling Circus Museum and the opulent venetian-styled mansions of John and Mable Ringling. But it was a trip to the recently opened Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom that made the biggest impression on Andy, one that has colored the path of his career. As an illustration major at the Rhode Island School of design –Andy built his own curriculum, as there was no specific entertainment design program at the time. His efforts worked out when he landed his first job as a concept designer at Walt Disney Imagineering. His career has since led him to unique opportunities reimagining theme park experience all over the world, from Japan, China, Korea and Dubai. Most Recently Andy has worked as a part of the Production design team with Universal Studios Hollywood. His design and art direction efforts can be seen in the Jurassic World’s Raptor Encounter. Andy’s artwork has been featured in various publications, children’s books, as well as character licensing for the home décor and gift industry. Andy Lives in Los Angeles
Contact: Andy S.
Andy Sklar


"I think it is really helpful to understand the elements of what makes a great scene impactful and exciting. Visual storytelling is so important and film (and even graphic novels) can hold a lot of insight to what makes a scene effective."  

~  Andy S.


Daniel Grodecki II

Production Designer & Graphic Designer

Daniel is a Production Designer for the theme park and live entertainment industry, based in Los Angeles, CA. For the past 15 years he has worked as a production designer for Universal Studios Hollywood and SeaWorld San Diego. Notable design projects at Universal Studios include the Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle projection show, Hogsmeade Village holiday décor package, the Jabbawockeez show for Halloween Horror Nights, and an interactive meet-and-greet with Donkey from Shrek at the DreamWorks Theater. SeaWorld projects include being lead production designer for their Seven Seas Food & Wine Festival, Christmas Celebration event, Viva la Música festival, and Halloween Spooktacular event. Daniel started his design career in his hometown of San Diego, CA in the regional theater industry, after graduating from San Diego State University with a degree in Scenic Design for Theater.
Contact: Danny G.
Andy Sklar


"My passion for art and design leads to thoughtful, cohesive and vibrant designs for every project I work on. I strive to create something that is exactly what the client is looking for."  

~  Danny G.