A kid from Tampa rides coasters at Busch Gardens, prints “theme park enthusiast” on a business card, and aims his entire college path at Disney. Then, at what feels like the culmination of that dream at Epcot, something inside says it is time to switch gears. In this conversation, Larry Port sits down with his cousin Sammy Port to trace a non-linear path that runs through Cornell’s hospitality school, long days in ride operations, the surreal training grounds of Disney University, singing on Vegas stages, cruise ship shows, producing an off-Broadway musical, and finding a home as Senior Creative Director at Proscenium. Listeners hear how support networks, authentic connections, accountability, and a willingness to say yes shape a sustainable creative life across entertainment, production, and DJing, without losing sight of real-world needs and human-centered work.

ㅤ

Sammy Port is Senior Creative Director at Proscenium and a lifelong fan of large scale entertainment. He grew up in Tampa near Busch Gardens, studied at Cornell’s hospitality school with theme parks in mind, and worked in operations at parks including Busch Gardens, Cedar Point, Six Flags, and Epcot at Disney. Sammy performed in Las Vegas, on cruise ships, and in New York, helped produce the musical “Spandex,” and moved into event production with Proscenium. He curates music and creative experiences for major live events and also DJs high profile events such as Time 100.

ㅤ

• Early obsession with theme parks, trade shows, and calling himself a “theme park enthusiast” at thirteen.
• How Cornell’s hospitality program, summer roles at Busch Gardens, Cedar Point, and Six Flags, and an Epcot internship created a focused path into theme park operations.
• The reality of “making it” at Disney, imposter syndrome, Disney University training, and why that milestone still did not feel complete.
• The courage and support network behind leaving a coveted Disney role to pursue performing, auditions, and learning through imperfect first steps.
• Moving to Las Vegas for “Jubilee,” performing on cruise ships, and the eventual shift to New York with an honest look at whether performing was truly in his heart.
• Producing the musical “Spandex” and how one coffee conversation led directly to an internship opportunity at Proscenium.
• Why a varied background across operations, performance, and production made Sammy the “missing piece” for a corporate events agency focused on theatrical, branded experiences.
• What a Senior Creative Director actually does: aligning designers, staging, lighting, visuals, music, and talent so everything feels cohesive for the brand.
• How curating event music evolved into DJing events like Time 100, and why that creative outlet fits naturally with his work at Proscenium.
• A candid reflection on career identity, not being defined only by a title, balancing financial stability with creative fulfillment, and finding energy in both work and side projects.
• Practical guidance for early career professionals: saying yes, doing unglamorous work, building real connections, following through, using accountability, and understanding the unseen effort behind “beautiful” events.
• Thoughts on AI in live events, how virtual experiences compare to being in the room, and why the human element in shared spaces still matters.

ㅤ