Apply Now For A 2022 Pat MacKay Diversity In Design Scholarship

Applications are now open for the 2022 Pat MacKay Diversity In Design Scholarships.

LDI2022, in partnership with TSDCA  and USITT  is presenting scholarships to students in various disciplines of theatre design. Applications are welcome from undergraduate students of lighting design, sound design, and video/projection design programs at accredited universities. This is the fourth year that the scholarships, funded by LDI and Live Design, have been offered with the goal of supporting the underrepresented and unique voices in the field of entertainment design. 

The scholarships are named for Pat MacKay, former publisher of Theatre Crafts International (TCI) and Lighting Dimensions and founder of LDI trade. She is a USITT Fellow and has mentored multiple generations of industry professionals.

Each student that is selected for one of the Pat MacKay Scholarships will receive up to $5,000, spread out over a maximum of eight semesters, or $1,250 per year, paid by semester directly to the school. In order for the students to get the next year’s payment, they must show progress toward their degree, show at least a 2.5 GPA, and provide a letter of support from their mentor with an update on how they are progressing as designers.

The application deadline is Thursday, May 27, 2022.

Two of last year’s scholarship recipients talked to Live Design about winning and attending LDI2021 in Las Vegas, NV.

Mia Teboe

Mia Teboe said of the experience, “Receiving this scholarship and traveling to LDI gave me the chance to make meaningful connections with other young technicians and designers who are also passionate about promoting diversity in the industry. Their insights allowed me to have a greater understanding of the broad scope of diversity.” Teboe is in the Sound Design BFA program at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where this year she was in charge of the d&b soundscape curing for Pippin and is now working as assistant designer on Sunday In The Park With George at CCM.

Taylor Gordon

Taylor Gordon, who is on the lighting design track at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, is currently the lighting designer for Mother Tongue, a show written and developed by students at the school. She called being awarded the scholarship “an honor and highly encouraging.” Saying, “It gave me a voice as an aspiring young woman who will soon join the lighting and video design field. At times I find myself being the only woman in the room and I am encouraged to learn that the industry is more and more inclusive to allow so many creative voices in a production.” Gordon was one of the six scholarship recipients who were able to go to LDI2021. “Attending the LDI conference was a great opportunity to meet professionals who have been in my shoes and who gave me inspiration and advice in preparation for joining the field. Everyone I spoke to was happy to take the time and answer questions and to help the next generation!”