The 2025 Pat MacKay Diversity In Design Scholarships, are awarded annually in partnership with TSDCA and USITT and are funded by LDI and Live Design and by sponsored by Lightswitch to support talent from underrepresented backgrounds in the field of entertainment design.
Bianca Akoa is a sophomore at Boston University majoring in theatrical lighting design. In her recommendation for the scholarship, Akoa's academic advisor complimented her creativity, critical thinking, and diligence despite a heavy academic course load and a lot of rehearsals.
Akoa is one of five outstanding theatre design students who are the recipients of the 2025 Pat MacKay Diversity In Design Scholarships, awarded annually since 2019 in partnership with TSDCA (Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association) and USITT. The scholarships are worth up to $5,000 for each student and are funded by LDI and Live Design to support talent from underrepresented backgrounds in the field of entertainment design.
The Diversity In Design Scholarships are also sponsored by Lightswitch.
Live Design spoke to Akoa about her career goals and what she hopes to accomplish during her visit to LDI 2025.
Live Design: What brought you to this scholarship?
Bianca Akoa: One of my lighting mentors and friends, Darius Evans, forwarded the scholarship details to me and recommended that I apply.
RELATED: Live Design Catches Up With 2023 Scholarship Recipient Darius Evans At Showlight
LD: What drew you to design?
BA: In my freshman year of high school, my high school's drama director selected me to be the light board op and designer for the fall play. I had never done theatre before, but because of her confidence in me I decided to give it a try, and I loved every minute of it. I love the puzzle of trying to figure it all out in a way that works logistically while still sticking to my design decisions. It takes hard work, but that makes the result so much more enjoyable.
LD: What are some of your career goals?
BA: To get better and faster at being an electrician, to work on anything in film/television, and to work on Broadway as either a designer or production electrician. I would love the opportunity to work as either a lighting designer or production electrician on Shrek the Musical as it is the show that made me fall in love with theatre in the first place. I want to embrace the freedom that lighting design gives me taking advantage of the fact that lighting design can take me all over the world.
LD: How can the industry better serve underrepresented communities?
BA: By making design and theatre as a whole more financially accessible. Design/theatre and the equipment it takes to do it should not be a privilege that only the rich get to enjoy. There are so many talented designers, actors, electricians, and "production-ers" who are consistently passed over in the industry because of their backgrounds, and it is beyond unfair. As an industry, we are passing up on our biggest resource: the people who have fought since day one for their place and are ready to prove themselves in large, amazing ways.
LD: Who or what are your influences in terms of people or events?
BA: My Peers. My friends and peers push me to be better and help me believe in myself and my abilities. Being at Boston University, I am constantly surrounded by talented, amazing people in either professors, staff/faculty, and other students and colleagues and I couldn't be more grateful for their support and encouragement.
LD: What challenges have you faced?
BA: In trying to juggle school, work, production assignments, personal issues, and personal necessities, it is extremely difficult to keep track of my sense of self. I am constantly working to remain a person outside of all of my titles and responsibilities because who I am is what makes the work that I do so special and important. My identity and self-expression naturally affect the work that I do, so I should be making sure that effect is a positive one.
LD: Do you have a bucket list item?
BA: Besides all of my career goals, a big bucket list item of mine is to leave the country for either vacation or work reasons. Other cultures and ways of life are beyond fascinating to me, so I would love the opportunity to explore and learn more about the people who live across the globe from me.
LD: What are you hoping to get out of from your experience at LDI 2025?
BA: I am hoping to connect with other people, learn the stories of how they came to be a Design Professional, and what advice they have to give to the next generation. We all started somewhere, and I think that plays a big role in how we show up now.
The Diversity In Design Scholarships are part of LDI's Foster the Future Program, which comprises the Pat MacKay Diversity in Design Scholarship, the LDI + DSE Production Assistant Program, and the Young Career Professionals Program, which includes access to both show expo halls, an LDInnovation Conference badge, and special events for those ages 18-25. Find more info on Foster The Future here and register for LDI 2025 here.