New York, NY – Live Design has announced initiatives for its Impact pillar of enhancing the industry through differentiating perspectives from diverse and inclusive voices. Live Design will support and help grow the next generation of live event professionals from all backgrounds, genders, races, ethnicities, ages, religions, orientations, and political beliefs, deepening the impact of our art and enriching the story and creativity of our industry. These initiatives will be introduced at Live Design International (LDI) from October 15-21, 2018 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
One of the major new initiatives to encourage such diversity in the next generation of designers and technicians is the creation of the Pat MacKay Scholarships, which will be announced during the inaugural KOI-USA Awards ceremony on Saturday, October 20 at LDI in Las Vegas. There will be three scholarships presented annually to undergraduate university students who exhibit a strong commitment to design or technical training for the live event industry and represent gender and ethnic diversity. The first series of scholarships will be awarded in these three areas: lighting, video, and audio.
In celebration of LDI’s 30th anniversary, Live Design has been highlighting 30 Under 30 movers and shakers who are changing paradigms, looking at things from new angles, and rapidly rising to the forefront of their field. From scenic, lighting, projection, and costume designers to technicians and programmers, as well as those who work for manufacturers, production companies, or rental shops, our 30 Under 30 are the harbingers of tomorrow. The list includes creative director of Visual Endeavors, Aron Altmark, projection designer Christine Franzen, scenic designer Joe C. Klug, audio technician Rachel Rozzi, technical coordinator Matthew Palumbo, lighting technician and FOH tech Hailey Featherstone, video technician Luis M. Garcia, who will present a session in Spanish at LDI en español, and more up-and-comers. Also at LDI, Aron Altmark will moderate a 30 Under 30 panel featuring lighting designers Adam Honoré and Bobby L. Grey, projection designer Olivia Sebesky, and video programmer Zak Haywood.
“Our 30 Under 30 are some of the brightest, most inspiring up-and-comers in the industry,” says David Johnson, managing director of the LDI/Live Design franchise, “and there are still more young professionals that we have not yet recognized but intend to with next year’s Young Designers To Watch list and our continued support of the Rising Star Award, in association with USITT.”
To inspire the art and design of live experiences, Live Design’s Impact Committee will concentrate its outreach within several pillars of purpose: connecting communities through the joy and possibility within live experiences; enhancing the industry through differentiating perspectives from diverse and inclusive voices; and empowering professionals with the most innovative tools and techniques.
As the leading conference and tradeshow for live design professionals from all around the globe, LDI hosts over 14,000 members of the production community, working in a wide range of international live and broadcast venues – festivals, corporate events, theatre, concerts, clubs, theme parks, architainment, and houses of worship. Registration for LDI2018 is now open at www.ldishow.com. Register today and make a difference with a donation to the charity of your choice.