That new Universal Epic Universe theme park in Orlando? An MTSU graduate helped build it
Universal Orlando has opened the nation's first major theme park in more than 20 years — and a Tennessean had a big part in creating it.
Susan Cummings — from Spencer, Tennessee, about an hour east of Murfreesboro — is the executive producer for the Super Nintendo World section of the buzzy new Epic Universe park in Orlando.
Cummings, 57, a 1990 graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, led a team that designed the part of the park that brings decades of Nintendo games to life. Super Nintendo World includes areas like Super Mario Land, Yoshi's Adventure and Donkey Kong Country.
Cummings is even featured in Universal Studios' promotional video for Super Nintendo World.
In a phone interview with The Tennessean, Cummings said she has been surprised at how emotional some of the park's first visitors got when they saw their beloved Nintendo games in 3D.
"Oh, my gosh, I saw people wiping away tears and saying, 'I can't believe I'm here,'" Cummings said. "People have strong multi-generational ties to these games. They are places you'd never expect to actually visit. You just them on screens large and small, but you'd never expect to be there."
Cummings, who has been working on Super Nintendo World for six years, said she loves seeing visitors' strong reactions.
"That's the good stuff," she said. "You forget all struggles with construction and budgets when you see someone experience it. That's why you do it."
Cummings moved to Orlando after graduating from MTSU to pursue her dream of becoming a stand-up comedian.
A friend's brother, comedian Joby Saad, was working in Orlando, and Cummings started opening for his shows and serving as emcee.
While trying to launch her own comedy career, Cummings started working for theme parks in Orlando to pay her bills. Soon, Cummings found herself working at higher and higher levels in the Universal Studios theme park world.
Cummings credits her time as a theater major at MTSU with launching a career in entertainment. In addition to being part of student productions, Cummings performed stand-up for the first time in Murfreesboro after one of her professors, Deborah Anderson, got her a slot at an open mic night.
"I also remember getting a lot of parking tickets outside Schardt Hall where I lived for a few semesters!" she said.
Reach Brad Schmitt at brad@tennessean.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: MTSU grad helped build that new Universal Epic Universe theme park
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