UVA Wise Alum Alex Hall Brings Magic to Life at Universal Orlando
While most of us spend our summer vacations strolling through theme parks, Alex Hall is behind the scenes making the magic happen.
A 2018 graduate of UVA Wise with a degree in theater, Hall now works as a costume technician and set dresser at Universal Orlando, where he helps bring some of the world’s most beloved stories to life. From maintaining whimsical costumes and fantastical creature suits to crafting haunted house sets for Halloween Horror Nights, Hall is immersed in the imaginative universe of theme park entertainment.
“My days are a mix of workshop repairs and detailed costume maintenance,” Hall explains. “I’ve worked on puppets, creature suits and scenic decor.”
Most recently, Hall was part of the opening team for Epic Universe, Universal’s third park. The groundbreaking project includes immersive lands themed after Harry Potter, How to Train Your Dragon, Universal Monsters and Super Nintendo.
Hall’s journey wasn’t without its challenges. Moving to Florida in pursuit of his dream career meant starting over and taking on a variety of roles, some related to his field, some not. But each one helped pave the way toward the creative work he’s doing today.
“I worked a lot of jobs that weren’t directly related to costuming or set dressing, but they helped me meet the right people and gain the experience I needed,” he said. “It took time to get here.”
Hall also performs occasionally as animated characters, sometimes even “hanging out” with fan favorites like Scooby-Doo.
His behind-the-scenes magic doesn’t just stop with Epic Universe. Hall has helped bring terrifying favorites to life for Halloween Horror Nights, Universal’s iconic fall event. He’s been involved in creating props and decorations for houses based on Ghostbusters, A Quiet Place and Insidious.
Reflecting on his time at UVA Wise, Hall credits the theater program with giving him the foundation he needed to pursue a creative career. “I was able to explore all aspects of theater,” he said. “The professors really supported tailoring the curriculum to fit our interests. I learned so much and found new passions I didn’t expect.”
Now firmly rooted in Florida’s entertainment industry, Hall is excited about continuing to grow, both within Universal and in his own freelance artistic projects.
“Every project is an opportunity to learn something new,” he said. “It’s a tough industry, but when you’re surrounded by dragons, monsters and Mario, it’s hard not to love what you do.”
From the mountains of Southwest Virginia to the world of cinematic fantasy, Hall is proof that big dreams and a little theater magic can take you far.