M

Merlin Entertainments

Manages branded visitor attractions and parks

Entertainment Supervisor

Full-TimeDeadline 9/24/27
$20/hr
Junior, Mid
Bachelor's
North Richland Hills, TX, USA
In Person
Creative ProductionLive Events & Stage Production

About the job

Requirements
  • Knowledge of all positions necessary for show operation.
  • Knowledge of small-scale and large-scale show production and branded event offerings.
  • Ability to create and read stage plots, call complex cue scripts, and block tracks.
  • Expertise in performer recruitment and running production auditions and rehearsal processes.
  • Experience leading small or large groups of diverse theatrical teams.
  • A minimum of 2 years of proven experience in stage management, character or performer training, casting, auditioning, recruitment, and production design, or equivalent experience.
  • A minimum of 2 years of proven experience in theatrical, cruise ship, or theme park live entertainment show production and operation.
  • Basic knowledge of lighting, audio, special effects, scenic design, costuming, and staging.
  • Knowledge of costumed-character operational needs or general children's live entertainment elements.
  • Ability to read sheet music.
  • Ability to meet strict deadlines while managing multiple tasks.
Responsibilities
  • Assist with and lead tasks for assigned productions, events, or entertainment experiences from planning and rehearsal scheduling through stage management, production, strike, and post-mortem activities.
  • Supervise, mentor, and support cast and crew, including entertainment leads, performers, technicians, costuming, and makeup teams.
  • Attend casting meetings, rehearsals, and auditions for existing and upcoming productions and events.
  • Maintain a fun, safe, positive, and professional work environment focused on excellent service for guests and children.
  • Provide leadership oversight and track, update, and revise production deliverables throughout the production process.
  • Coordinate with vendors, contractors, and internal production, marketing, technical, and operational teams.
  • Maintain health and safety standards by ensuring cast and crew receive adequate training and ongoing coaching.
  • Assist in creating and maintaining standard operating procedures for entertainment and production.
  • Maintain assigned cast and crew schedules and timecards using company timekeeping programs.
  • Serve as the point of contact during rehearsals, installations, performances, and strikes, and report needs to the entertainment manager.
  • Execute the development, performance, and evaluation of cast or crew members and administer developmental discussions.
  • Direct and supervise auditions and musical, vocal, acting, or dance rehearsals.
  • Cover for stage managers and technicians during days off, vacations, or absences.
  • Perform other duties that support park and departmental goals and objectives.
Desired Qualifications
  • A bachelor's degree in theatre/performing arts, a related field, or equivalent professional experience within the entertainment or theatre industry.
  • Acting, musical, or vocal background.

About the company

M

Merlin Entertainments

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Website

Merlin Entertainments operates a global portfolio of branded visitor attractions, including theme parks and experiences. It owns and runs properties such as LEGOLAND Parks, Sea Life centers, The Dungeons, Madame Tussauds, and the London Eye, combining rides, shows, and interactive experiences to attract paying visitors. The company grows by acquiring and integrating well-known brands and venues, then operating them as unified, brand-driven experiences across multiple countries. Its competitive edge comes from scale, a diverse mix of world-famous brands, and a track record of expanding via strategic acquisitions to create a broad, international attraction network. The goal is long-term growth and value creation by expanding its branded attractions footprint and improving operating performance, while staying private to focus on sustained development rather than quarterly market pressures.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

Acquired

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Poole, United Kingdom

Founded

1999

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Minecraft Hotel opens at Chessington in 2027, expanding Merlin's highest-conviction licensed-IP engine.
  • Headout's September 23, 2026 Asia partnership widens Merlin's distribution across high-growth travel markets.
  • NiCE rollout lifted resolution to 95% and recommendation scores to 9.3, improving conversion and loyalty.

What critics are saying

  • Merlin issued £657 million refinancing on September 10, 2026; 2029 maturities remain heavy.
  • S&P and Moody's turned negative after the refinancing, signaling weakening recovery prospects.
  • Attendance fell to 60.5 million in 2025; Madame Tussauds took a £262 million writedown.

What makes Merlin Entertainments unique

  • Merlin operates 140 attractions across 24 countries, spanning parks, icons, and aquariums.
  • Its licensed IP machine turns LEGO, Minecraft, Peppa Pig, and Ferrari into repeatable traffic.
  • Private ownership by Blackstone and KIRKBI keeps capital available for long-cycle attraction builds.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Paid Vacation
  • 401(k) Company Match
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Professional Development Budget

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

8%

1 year growth

8%

2 year growth

11%
Experience UK
Oct 14th, 2026
Merlin and Mojang expand Chessington plans with Minecraft World Hotel.

Merlin and Mojang expand Chessington plans with Minecraft World Hotel. Merlin Entertainments and Mojang Studios have expanded plans for Minecraft World at Chessington World of Adventures Resort, confirming a themed hotel alongside the new theme park land planned for 2027. Minecraft World Hotel will become the first hotel based on the Minecraft franchise, adding an accommodation layer to the £50m project in Greater London. The hotel will feature almost 70 themed rooms across four floors, with 20 premium rooms and 49 standard rooms drawing on the game's biomes, characters, mobs, colours and textures. For theme park operators, developers and IP owners, the announcement is significant because it extends Minecraft World beyond a day-visit attraction. By adding hotel rooms, themed dining and bar concepts, Merlin is developing a resort-led model that can support longer stays, stronger yield and deeper brand engagement. Hotel design extends the game world. The hotel has been designed to bring Minecraft's visual language into physical space. Check-in areas will reference the Overworld with block-style trees and animals, while Nether Portal-inspired lifts and mine tunnel corridors will carry the theme through guest circulation areas. Bedrooms will use Minecraft's blocks, items, mobs, textures and colours to create themed accommodation for both dedicated fans and broader family audiences. The offer will also include an underwater-themed restaurant inspired by the game's ocean biomes and a potions bar themed around the Woodland Mansion. For visitor experience designers, the hotel highlights the importance of continuity across an IP-based resort. The guest journey does not stop at the park gate. Arrival, corridors, rooms, food and beverage, and evening use all become part of the same story world. This approach also creates new operational and commercial opportunities. Themed accommodation can support premium pricing, while restaurants, bars and retail touchpoints provide further ways to extend spend beyond the core attraction. Escape the Nether anchors the ride offer. Merlin and Mojang have also named the first Minecraft rollercoaster as Escape the Nether. The attraction is described as the world's first Minecraft rollercoaster and will include both indoor and outdoor elements. The ride will take guests through dark mines before moving through a Nether Portal and emerging into the Overworld area of the land. Timelapse footage has shown construction progress, with track now in place as the land takes shape. For the attractions sector, the ride is notable because it translates Minecraft's digital environments into a physical thrill format. The indoor-outdoor structure gives designers scope to combine controlled media, scenic work and story sequencing with visible ride kinetics in the land. Gaming IP moves further into themed entertainment. Minecraft World represents a major step in the use of gaming IP within European theme parks. The franchise has strong global recognition, an established creative language and a large intergenerational audience, making it well suited to location-based entertainment. Mojang's creative team has noted the challenge of adapting Minecraft into a new physical medium, particularly around scale, biomes, blocks and mobs. Merlin's production approach appears focused on keeping the world recognisable while making it practical for rides, hotel operations and guest movement. For IP holders, the project underlines the value of close creative collaboration with operators. Translating a game into an attraction requires more than placing familiar visuals into a venue. It requires decisions about behaviour, interaction, environment, scale and narrative flow. Relevance for the visitor experience sector. The Chessington development will be closely watched by theme park operators, suppliers, designers, hotel groups and licensing teams. It combines several key industry trends: gaming IP, resort expansion, immersive accommodation, themed dining and family-friendly coaster development. For Experience UK's audience, the project may create future opportunities across scenic fabrication, AV, lighting, show control, themed interiors, operational planning, retail and hospitality design. By pairing Minecraft World with a themed hotel, Merlin and Mojang are positioning the project as a multi-day branded experience rather than a single attraction. As work continues ahead of the 2027 opening, Chessington is set to become an important case study in how major gaming franchises can be developed into resort-scale visitor destinations.

Hospitality & Catering News
Oct 6th, 2026
PizzaExpress launches hot food-to-go range at Thorpe Park Fright Nights.

PizzaExpress launches hot food-to-go range at Thorpe Park Fright Nights. October 6, 2026 PizzaExpress has launched a new hot food-to-go range at Thorpe Park's Fright Nights through a partnership with Merlin Entertainments and Aramark. The launch marks the first introduction of the new PizzaExpress format, which has been developed for food-to-go environments and is being served from a branded Airstream at Thorpe Park. The menu includes four pizzas: Sloppy Giuseppe, BBQ Chicken, American and Margherita. The single-serve pizzas are hand stretched and have been designed to be served to customers in under one minute. PizzaExpress said the new format forms part of its plans to make its menu available beyond its traditional restaurant estate and into more food-to-go locations. The launch follows a number of developments for PizzaExpress during 2026, including the introduction of a Margherita pizza on Aer Lingus flights and the opening of quick-service locations in London. The business currently operates nearly 360 restaurants across the UK, alongside its retail presence in supermarkets. Chris Holmes, PizzaExpress Chief Commercial Officer, said, "PizzaExpress has been an iconic part of family days out for more than six generations, so it feels only right to launch our first ever hot food to go range at with Merlin and Aramark at Thorpe Park throughout the Fright Night month. This is just the start of an exciting new mission to bring ultra-fast restaurant quality hot pizza and Dough Balls to people on the move and we look forward to landing in more food-to-go locations very soon." Fright Nights is celebrating its 25th anniversary at Thorpe Park this year and runs on selected dates from 2 October to 1 November. The event includes scare mazes, scare zones, live entertainment and rides operating after dark, including Hyperia. Paul Baines, Regional Director of Southern Operations at Aramark, said, "Partnering with the iconic brand that is PizzaExpress to bring these new pizzas to the market is incredibly exciting. A new offering from a trusted brand like PizzaExpress is exactly what the hot food to go market needs." The partnership between PizzaExpress and Merlin Entertainments also extends into PizzaExpress restaurants during October and November, with offers available to Merlin Annual Pass members. Associated Articles Aramark Extend Partnership with Merlin Entertainments Provides direct background on the relationship between Aramark and Merlin Entertainments, including food and beverage operations across attractions such as Thorpe Park Resort, Chessington World of Adventures Resort and LEGOLAND Windsor Resort. Auntie Anne's UK&I Unveils Plans to Open 10 Stores in 2026 Amid Rising Demand for Treats-To-Go Adds context on the continued growth of flexible food-to-go formats in high-footfall retail and leisure locations as operators look beyond traditional restaurant sites. IRO Sushi Opens Two New Sites in a Week as UK Expansion Accelerates Provides wider context on growth within the UK food-to-go and casual dining market, with operators developing formats designed around convenience and faster service.

Free Game Tips Ltd.
Sep 26th, 2026
First-ever Minecraft Hotel sets opening in London 2027.

First-ever Minecraft Hotel sets opening in London 2027. Minecraft Hotel to open in London. Minecraft Hotel, the world's first block-styled lodging, will debut in 2027 at Chessington World of Adventures in South-West London. The reveal came during the September 2026 Minecraft Live event, where Mojang Studios and Merlin Entertainments announced the new attraction and the park's first Minecraft-themed rollercoaster, Escape the Nether. Guests will jump straight into the block-inspired world, staying beyond the park gates and encountering familiar mobs, a Deep Sea Diner, and rooms that keep the fantasy alive even after departure. Park-Integrated adventure. Escape the Nether is promoted as the world's first Minecraft-themed rollercoaster, blending indoor and outdoor elements inspired by the perilous dimension. Discover more Language Resources Word Games The surrounding Minecraft World park will feature the exhilarating rollercoaster plus an immersive indoor-outdoor experience that mirrors the game's atmosphere. Inside the hotel: design & features. The concept art shows a blocky building with an outdoor sitting area, and the entrance bristles with a Baby Zombie Chicken Jockey, minecart rails, and a likeness of Steve wielding a pickaxe. Within the Deep Sea Diner, mossy stone pillars and kelp stalks hang from the ceiling, while walls display Ocean Monument sculptures. Rooms incorporate redstone lamps, wooden chests, and Creeper-themed cushions, reinforcing the algorithmic aesthetic and ensuring guests feel fully immersed in the cell-level world. While the hotel sets the tone for the park, Mojang's roadmap also earmarks a new Ice Caves biome for winter, a Sift dimension launch in 2027, and the debut of additional mobs and vegetation in the Four-dimensional Sift realm.

Headout
Sep 23rd, 2026
Headout expands global partnership with Merlin Entertainments across Asia.

Headout expands global partnership with Merlin Entertainments across Asia. Sep 23, 2026 Headout, home to the world's best real-life experiences, today announced the expansion of its global partnership with Merlin Entertainments across Asia, bringing four leading Merlin attractions in the region onto the Headout platform through direct integration. SEA LIFE Bangkok, Madame Tussauds Bangkok, Madame Tussauds Singapore and Madame Tussauds Hong Kong are now live and bookable on Headout. The expansion builds on a longstanding partnership between Headout and Merlin Entertainments across the US, UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. With Asia now part of that footprint, Merlin gains access to Headout's growing base of international and long-haul travelers, while Headout guests can discover and book even more of Merlin's iconic attractions around the world. The direct integration also makes the booking experience faster and more seamless, with real-time availability and instant confirmation. Travelers can book using local currencies and payment methods, with flexible options including Book Now, Pay Later, making it easier to plan and pay for experiences on their terms. "Asia is an incredibly important growth market for Headout, and we're excited to grow our presence here alongside Merlin. Merlin operates some of the world's most recognisable attractions, and bringing more of them onto Headout makes it easier for travelers to discover and experience them. We've built a strong partnership across markets globally and see plenty of opportunity to build on that success together across APAC." - Parth Maheshwari, Regional General Manager, APAC, Headout The expansion marks the next chapter in Headout and Merlin Entertainments' global partnership, as the two companies continue to make world-class experiences easier to discover and book for travelers across Asia and beyond. Images in this article

Merlin Entertainments
Sep 17th, 2026
Merlin to introduce new 'virtual queuing' for Ride Access Pass users.

Merlin to introduce new 'virtual queuing' for Ride Access Pass users. * home / * newsroom / * News releases * / Merlin to introduce new 'virtual queuing' for Ride Access Pass users. * New 'virtual queuing' system to be introduced at Merlin's UK theme parks in 2027 for guests with additional accessibility needs - with no changes to eligibility criteria * Move follows feedback from guests and industry partners, and development of a practical system to avoid Ride Access Pass users having to wait in a physical queue * Changes demonstrate Merlin's commitment to creating inclusive experiences and ensuring all guests and families feel supported when visiting Merlin locations Posted on 17 September 2026 IN News releases Share this page Merlin Entertainments, the global family of destinations, experiences and attractions, is set to introduce a new queuing system for Ride Access Pass (RAP) users across its UK resort theme parks. Rolling out in 2027, the new RAP system will allow users to queue virtually with an easy-to-use app, reducing time spent in physical queues. No changes will be made to eligibility criteria, and the intention over time is to remove the requirement to pre-book a RAP slot in advance, once the system has proven effective. The system has been designed following feedback from RAP users, and in recognition of increased demand over recent years. Ahead of finalising the changes, Merlin engaged with disability experts, charities and industry partners, including Disability Rights UK, Scope, ADHD UK, and the National Autistic Society, and their feedback has supported the development of a practical system that improves the guest experience for those requiring additional support. "We are pleased that Merlin has consulted autistic people and their families about their queuing system and that the eligibility criteria for the Ride Access Pass will remain the same. This is an example of an adaptation that can make a real difference to autistic people, enabling them to access facilities and venues. We have worked with Merlin for many years so we know how committed the team is to ensuring their facilities are welcoming and inclusive for autistic visitors." Lisa Myers, Head of National Autistic Society: Learn "Scope is pleased to have been involved in discussions on Merlin's plans to update its Ride Access Pass. We welcome Merlin's commitment to making reasonable adjustments that help disabled visitors access and enjoy attractions on an equitable basis. These changes represent a positive step in removing unnecessary barriers, to improve the experience of disabled visitors." John McLachlan, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Scope These changes, once fully rolled out, will replace the current system, which requires RAP guests to pre-book slots and 'reverse queue' - where they ride first and then must wait before being able to access their next ride. Under the new system, the wait time for RAP users will be the same as for those in the standard queue, while offering those with additional needs the flexibility to 'virtual queue' in quieter or more accessible parts of the park. They will then be notified on the app when they are near the front of the queue and therefore need to make their way to the ride. When they arrive, a designated merge host in each location will then support them in joining the queue from the RAP entrance. This will be bolstered by investment in new separate queue lines for RAP users to make the process as streamlined and consistent as possible. RAP users will still be able to ride with up to three companions, meaning up to four people can be given their own time slot through the user's RAP app. The first stage of the rollout will get underway at Alton Towers at the end of this year, before the full implementation in 2027 ahead of the peak summer season. As part of this, Merlin will be welcoming feedback from RAP users on this initial stage through the RAP app and email surveys, so the new approach can be refined over time. "Accessibility is always evolving, and we welcome Merlin's commitment to listening to disabled guests and exploring practical ways to improve their experience. It is clear that the new virtual queuing approach will provide greater flexibility for many guests, and the intention to phase out the pre-booking requirement is also a positive step. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Merlin as the changes are rolled out - playing our part in verifying eligibility to help more families have wonderful days out at their attractions." Martin Austin MBE, Chief Executive of Nimbus Disability "Creating inclusive experiences is at the heart of what we do at Merlin and we want every guest to enjoy memorable days out at our attractions. Over the past few months, we have listened carefully to feedback from RAP users, disability charities and industry experts, and it's clear the current experience does not always provide the flexibility and comfort some guests need. This new virtual queuing approach has been designed in response to that feedback. By providing a practical alternative that avoids RAP guests having to wait in physical queue lines, we believe it will significantly improve visits for these users and their families. We will continue to work closely with RAP users and advocacy groups as the rollout progresses, as part of our ongoing commitment to making our attractions as accessible and enjoyable as possible for everyone." Rob Smith, Chief Operating Officer at Merlin Entertainments