Today we’d like to introduce you to Todd Zimmerman.
Hi Todd, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Odd-o-Ts’ Entertainment began almost 20 years ago when Timea and Todd Zimmerman left touring with the Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus. They had spent almost 10 years in the circus, she as an acrobat and he as a clown and ringmaster. When they wanted to have a home base, they chose a city where their skills in family entertainment would be best utilized, Orlando. Once they settled in, they used their experience to create Odd-o-Ts’ Entertainment and provide live entertainment services to the local theme parks and family entertainment centers. Local clients have included SeaWorld Orlando, Walt Disney World, Busch Gardens Tampa, Fun Spot Orlando and Kissimmee, Gaylord Palms Resort, Orlando Science Center, Gatorland and more! Odd-o-Ts’ Entertainment specializes in atmospheric shows, slapstick comedy, variety arts productions and specialty acts. Our sophisticated Living Garden shows are a branch that provides living art for special events and long term installations at museums, festivals, and gardens. The Gromalot Theatre Factory branch of the company produces comedic live theatre plays that engage and interact with the audience, perfect for performance arts centers and has been a favorite at the Orlando Fringe Festival as well as local PAC’s like Clermont Performing Arts Center and Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center. Odd-o-Ts’ employs over 100 local performers annually.
With the challenges of the pandemic, Odd-o-Ts’ Entertainment shifted to virtual performances by creating the Secret Library. This is an online virtual experience that combines immersive theatrical performances with escape room like puzzles and a “who dunnit style” mystery. The experience was featured in the New York Times and Oprah’s O magazine. It is perfect for families who want to spend time with remote family members or those who aren’t ready to reenter the in-person live entertainment venues as well as corporate teams who want a collaborative event for their team members. Todd and Timea have two daughters who keep them busier than the business, but also provide in house market research for their entertainment offerings. They are also keeping their social media followers engaged by broadcasting antics and updates on their recently born nine Australian Shepherd puppies!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Creating our business has been challenging in a number of ways. Entertainment never seems to fit the mold for anything. Due to the corporate nature of Theme Parks and large resorts, business insurance was tantamount to being able to perform and many venues. But entertainment insurance isn’t typically offered through the regular markets and even specialty theatrical insurance didn’t always include things like stilt walking or juggling knives, so we added to our gray hair count as we struggled to find the avenues to get the insurance that we needed. Next marketing some of the entertainment that we offer has been a struggle. When you say singer, band or magician, most people instantly can conjure up an image or idea of what is being suggested. But when you say physical comedian, living art or silent play – it leaves people scratching their heads.
However, these are the actual truest descriptions of the kind of entertainment that we provide. So there is a big level of education that we have to provide for our clients to be able to present our acts to their audiences. That’s why we created the name Odd-o-Ts’ (oddities) because it described the intangible nature of our entertainment. Oh – and then there is a little thing called a Pandemic… which effectively shut down ALL live entertainment for a while… but we’re resilient and are adapting!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We specialize in entertainment that is not necessarily mainstream. In thinking of our circus roots, the shows used to travel with side shows. These “pre-show” entertainers had unique abilities that didn’t even fit the mold of the circus! Human oddities that would entertain people in different ways. We do the same thing and are proud of it! We are one of the premier performers in Slapstick Comedy. We perfect the art of slapping one another and making people laugh. Because of that, we have been called to consult on a variety of projects that are unique to that art form. It gives us a sense of pride to know that we are keeping that skill alive. We also specialize in atmosphere entertainment.
We proudly have been expert speakers for IAAPA on this subject. IAAPA is the Global Amusement Park Association that sets the standards for the amusement and theme park industry. Our ideas have been recognized for creating shows that are not only entertaining, but enhance the area or “atmosphere” of the locations in which they are presented. A Living Fountain in a lush garden, a group of wacky longshoremen in a seaside village, zany artists creating art in a museum and percussionist chef’s in a restaurant. We don’t just provide a show, but tell a story that specifically themes the show to the venue and creates a much more immersive experience for the audience.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Our industry is going to continue to find ways to combine technology and live performance. When the escalator was introduced to the public in 1895 it was as a RIDE at coney island. Technology is often seen as entertainment itself when it is new. The excitement of turning on a light bulb for the first time was something to behold, but it was the integration of the light bulb with other factors that allowed for night time experiences to be a reality! Those are rudimentary examples of how the entertainment industry will continue to expand on the integration of entertainment and technology. Both can be exciting on their own, but when combined, it creates a bigger more powerful experience that wows the senses of the audience. VR and AR are a part of that, but still have some limitations. We will see these kinds of things become more prevalent over the next five to ten years.
In addition, audiences are craving more interaction and personalization. They want to be active participants in the experience. This is evident in the way social media is almost addicting. As our industry progresses, we need to find ways to move from a passive audience to an active one. This means that audiences will have some purchase on story outcome and in guiding the direction of the performance. It is happening slowly in live entertainment but we’ll find more mainstream adopters in our audiences and it will trend in the next decade. We are keeping with the future in both respects with our Secret Library Virtual Experience.
Pricing:
- $35.00 per screen for the Secret Library
- Use the code Voyager for 15% discount
Contact Info:
- Email: dewey@secretlibrary.io / info@oddots.com
- Website: www.secretlibrary.io / www.oddots.com
- Instagram: @oddots
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OddoTs
- Twitter: @oddots
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdag3opqKq_fnrXSIv3g8YQ
Image Credits
Kirk Marsh Photography
