News and Current Events
SeaWorld reinvigorates Beluga Stadium for 2008
7 March 2008
Colorful bubbles and swaying seaweed are just part of the updated themeing at SeaWorld San Antonio's Beluga Stadium, adding to the magical whimsy that is Viva!
SRO Associates' team of artists battled the cold Texas winter to transform Beluga Stadium into an underwater delight for SeaWorld. Much of the stadium received some form of treatment during the process, leading to a wonderful explosion of color and fantasy for audiences in 2008 and beyond. The project received critical praise from the most important tenants of the arena -- the white dolphins and beluga whales rehearsing for the new season. The themed refresh of Beluga Stadium is an outstanding success for SeaWorld and another proud accomplishment for the dedicated team at SRO Associates.
SeaWorld San Antonio is now open for the 2008 season, operating every day until March 24th. Following March 24th, the park returns to an extended weekend schedule until May 22nd, when the park is open daily for the summer.
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Fiesta Texas rejoices with The Majesty of Christmas
23 November 2007
Six Flags Fiesta Texas has debuted the revival of its first Holiday In The Park winter event in 10 years. Starting the first weekend after Thanksgiving the theme park will remain open every weekend from November 23rd to December 23rd, and open daily from December 26-30th, and again from January 1-6th, closing only for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years Eve. The whole park will be redecorated for the holiday season along with a new Majesty of Christmas musical Nativity show that will feature live animals and flying angels.
The Majesty of Christmas is a musical telling of the Nativity originally created and produced at Fiesta Texas in 1996. The original production was elaborate in every aspect of its production. Even the venue is expansive with its 70 foot wide opening and 30 foot plus proscenium height. Management wanted to re-create the former production, but things have changed dramatically in the last ten years. In house staff levels are dramatically reduced and production budgets are lower yet: it was looking like a Christmas miracle was called for.
SRO was asked to assist by creating a new set from scratch in just five weeks. This included adapting the original design so that it would be faithful to the original designer's intent but affordable on the budget. With a set of seven gothic arches soaring to 29 feet, the entire city of Bethlehem, and many other elements, including scenic automation this was not an easy task.
SRO also commissioned new lighting fixtures and control during this same time period while implementing the lighting design for the production.
Rehearsals began in mid November and the show opened the Day after Thanksgiving. It has been receiving enthusiastic standing ovations ever since.
Notes of interest: Kai the Camel was in the original production ten years ago. Older and perhaps wiser, he still seems to enjoy his moment in the spotlight. Kai can also be seen in the major motion picture "Spy Kids Two." Sunshine the Donkey is the foal of the Donkey from the original production. This is Sunshine's first production. She would like to thank the chorus of sheep for helping her get over her initial stage fright. There is one returning cast member from the original production. She is joined in the new show by her daughter.
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Hersheypark's Velocity wins IAAPA's Big 'E' Award
14 November 2007
by Keith Arsenault
It's been a banner year for San Antonio based SRO ASSOCIATES, INC. With productions up and running simultaneously in three elite theme parks separated by thousands of miles SRO was challenged to create first class, high quality, award winning productions for all three. As evidenced by the recently announced International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) esteemed BIG E awards the challenge was met and then some!
Three productions at three different parks were all finalists for these international industry awards that honor excellence in eleven separate categories. "We were very excited and privileged to be able to work with our creative partners at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, HersheyPark, and Elitch Gardens to create four new shows in addition to a third season of Xcelleration for the summer of 2007" said Eddy Snell, President and Senior Producer of SRO. "Our creative staff and 120 performers and crew deserve particular credit for their inexhaustible dedication to consistent, quality performance."
Big E! award winner, Velocity premiered at Hersheypark's Music Box Theatre this season. It draws on classic themes and tells its own version of The Beauty and the Beast story with amazingly elaborate automated scenery, gymnasts and aerialists. It is truly one of the most complex and technically demanding shows to be mounted in a US theme park this season.
SRO Associates, Inc. was founded in 1996 and their productions have delighted audiences in Europe, Asia, and throughout North America.
It is a uniquely collaborative group, including a design staff; skilled scenic, costume, lighting and special effects technicians; and an impressively outfitted scenic studio. Their areas of expertise include all aspects of show production; writing, direction, and choreography, in addition to design and technical capabilities. They have in-house graphic design and video and sound editing abilities. Additionally, their creative technicians are experienced in a wide variety of construction techniques including metal fabrication, fiberglass, and plastics casting.
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No tricks, just sweet treats at Hersheypark's Treatville
19 October 2007
Hersheypark, The Sweetest Place on Earth™, is a natural magnet for the little ones come Halloween season. No one seems to know exactly how many pieces of candy get distributed over the short celebration, but it is impressive.
In 2006, Hershey launched Treatville with the idea that this would be the special locale for tiny trick or treaters. This season, SRO was asked to raise the bar on the event for 2007 and to develop a long term plan to complete the concept and help HersehyPark grow the Treatville brand.
Karen L. Miller, VP of Design and Construction headed up this project personally.
"Hershey had started a concept by creating little box 'shops.'" We took the initial notion and created a unified design concept. Treatville became a town, only visible during the month of October. We peopled the town with whimsical pumpkin headed scarecrows and tied the physical space together with festive bunting and bows," said Miller.
All the buildings of the new town were give a fresh look and all new signage. The scarecrow residents of the town are all happy to pose with the visiting ghouls and goblins. An interactive pumpkin patch turned into a photo hot spot.
Plans are underway for an even more entertaining Treatville in 2008.
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Archived News and Events
Kids can learn with help from Dora and Diego
30 August 2007
by Stefanie Arias
Express-News Staff Writer
You've seen them on TV; you've seen them on stage. But you've never seen Dora the Explorer and her cousin Diego in a place like this.
The San Antonio Botanical Garden and Nickelodeon have partnered to create their first interactive garden exhibit, "Dora and Diego's Garden Adventure," opening Saturday.
"We tried to scale the pieces so they are appropriate for little kids," said Karen Miller, vice president of design and construction at SRO Associates Inc., the studio that created the seven stations in the exhibit.
Boerne firm helps theme parks
lure visitors with theatrical shows
31 July 2006
by Melissa S. Monroe
Express-News Business Writer
Theme parks are no longer just about thrill rides and water parks. They now feature elaborate family entertainment such as the award-winning shows at Six Flags Fiesta Texas and the "Believe" show featuring Shamu at SeaWorld San Antonio.
Developing shows that feature bicyclists balancing on one wheel, skateboarders flying over human props and acrobats hooked to bungee cords takes creative minds.
And for many of these shows, that creativity comes from S.R.O. Associates, a small company in Boerne that has built a reputation as a one-stop shop.
