Meet Felix Joshi (they/he), an aspiring sound designer and composer from Houston, Texas. He is a second-year student pursuing a BFA in Drama; Sound Design Emphasis from the University of Oklahoma's Helmerich School of Drama. They aspire to design for experimental theatre and to compose music for contemporary dance and modern ballet. As a queer South Asian American student, Felix hopes to challenge cultural stigmas and represent their communities in artistic fields. Felix is honored to receive this award.
Related stories: Diversity In Design Scholarships Q&A: Felix Joshi; Diversity In Design Scholarships Q&A: Ariana Warren; Diversity In Design Scholarships Q&A: Alisa Saisakorn; Diversity In Design Scholarships Q&A:Noah Monje
Live Design: What brought you to this scholarship?
Felix Joshi: I was brought to this scholarship through my involvement with USITT and a few of my design professors at the University of Oklahoma. My lighting professor Renee Brode, my scenic professor Jon Young, and my mentor and sound design professor Andrew Tarr were instrumental in my knowledge and application to this scholarship.
These scholarships are presented by LDI/Live Design in association with TSDCA and USITT, with sponsorship by Lightswitch.
LD: What drew you to design?
FJ: I'm drawn to design by the unique way sound influences our perception of art. As a non-visual medium, sound influences the way we experience theatre in an abstraction that invokes certain responses that we (most of the time) aren't consciously aware of. I'm watching the capabilities of the audio industry unfold as I enter the field, and I'm thrilled to be a part of the evolution of this unique way of enhancing our experience of theatre.
LD: What are some of your career goals?
FJ: One of my long-term career goals is to become involved in design and composition for contemporary South Asian works. Although I anticipate this being further down the line of my career path, I hope to start a nonprofit organization to donate earnings from producing these works to South Asian communities dedicated to the arts. After I graduate college, I hope to continue working with composition for contemporary dance and modern ballet, and to sound design for experimental and unconventional contemporary theatre.
LD: How can the industry better serve underrepresented communities?
FJ: One of the best ways the industry can serve underrepresented communities is to produce works created by diverse individuals, and increasing visibility for underrepresented communities' content to create a more representative platform. Creating spaces for people to share experiences related to their communities raises industry-wide awareness, while encouraging support and unity within underrepresented groups. Variety and diversity in the content we choose to produce is instrumental in maintaining unity throughout the industry, and therefore across audiences.
LD: Who or what are your influences in terms of people or events?
FJ: One of my most influential musicians is Max Richter because of his music's evocative capability, throughout a variety of musical styles. Two influential figures that I know personally are Andrew Tarr, my design advisor at the University of Oklahoma, and Kayla Roca, my literature teacher from high school. They both have an incredible skill of reaching anyone, no matter the skill level of interest, while teaching. They are some of the most empathetic and knowledgeable people I've ever met.
An influential event in my life is the lasting impact of colonialism in India. A particularly influential reason for my pursuit of the arts is the attempted erasure of Indian art and culture as a result of colonial values, and I desire more than anything to reach out to artists who I share a background with, joining the movement to strengthen this aspect of my culture.
LD: What challenges have you faced?
FJ: Challenges I've faced include experiencing backlash or judgement surrounding the career path I've chosen, coming from people within my culture. It's how I learned about the impact of colonial values on my culture. I've also struggled with physical accessibility while being a crew member on a show, or participating in production audio.
LD: Do you have a bucket list item?
FJ: A few things on my bucket list include composing a full-length contemporary ballet, composing a film soundtrack, and designing another production of The Effect by Lucy Prebble, my favorite show I've ever been a part of.