Ariana Warren is a lighting designer pursuing a BFA in Theatre Design and Technology with a minor in Cinematic Arts at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She spoke to Live Design about lighting for both theatre and film, working since she was 13, and maybe going skydiving one day.
Related stories: Diversity In Design Scholarships Q&A: Felix Joshi; Diversity In Design Scholarships Q&A: Alisa Saisakorn; Diversity In Design Scholarships Q&A:Noah Monje
Live Design: What brought you to this scholarship?
Ariana Warren: My lighting design mentor informed me of this opportunity and helped me and other classmates apply. I have also attended LDI twice before, so I was excited to find out they offered scholarships.
LD: What drew you to design?
AW: I've been interested in tech since I was 11 years old, but designing became a fascination for me around age 15 in early high school. I loved being able to tell part of a story and collaborate with other departments to bring a unique perspective and experience to audiences.
LD: What are some of your career goals?
AW: I want to pursue lighting design in theatre as well as film. Honestly, I just want to be able to live a comfortable life while doing what I love, but a few awards along the way doesn't sound too bad either. If I am dreaming big, I would love to be acknowledged for my work and win a Tony Award one day.
LD: How can the industry better serve underrepresented communities?
AW: Underrepresented communities aren't served well by the industry because they are exactly that, underrepresented. I think that if we could tell great stories about those communities and bring people together that way it would be great. As a black woman I have never had the opportunity to work on a project that tells stories of people like me. I think there is a stigma that the only popular shows are ones that people already know, but as an industry we need to do better at pushing narratives that mean something to someone, not just a money grab.
LD: Who or what are your influences in terms of people or events?
AW: My biggest influence has been my loved ones. I have always been supported by my family and friends so I am able to pursue my dreams without worry. I have always been interested in the arts, it was just a matter of what field I wanted to go into, and I am eternally grateful that my creativity has been supported and encouraged.
LD: What challenges have you faced?
AW: I have faced many challenges while working in this industry but I have grown from each and every experience. Financially, I have put myself through college with the goal of graduating without debt. I have been working in some way, shape, or form since I was 13, on top of school and technical extracurriculars, to save for my tuition. It has been very stressful and at times overwhelming but I learned a lot of financial literacy, responsibility, and discipline in doing so. When I graduate, I can be proud to say that I did that.
LD: Do you have a bucket list item?
AW: My bucket list item is completely unrelated to theatre, but I really want to go skydiving!
The Pat MacKay Diversity In Design Scholarships are part of Live Design and LDI's Foster the Future program, which also includes the fourth annual Young Career Professionals Program for those under the age of 25 and the LDI production assistants. The scholarships have been awarded since 2019 in partnership with TSDCA and USITT and are funded by LDI and Live Design.
Meet Ariana and the other Pat MacKay Diversity In Design Scholarship recipients at LDI 2026, December 2-8, in Las Vegas.