Live Design, in collaboration with TSDCA and USITT, will once again award the annual Pat MacKay Diversity In Design Scholarships to undergraduate students enrolled in an entertainment design program at a university or community college.
The goal of these scholarships is to increase gender and racial diversity in the future of lighting design, projection/digital media and sound design, both for theatrical applications and all areas of live events.
Founded in 2019, the Diversity In Design scholarships are named after Pat MacKay, former publisher of Theatre Crafts and Lighting Dimensions magazines, and founder of the LDI trade show and conference. MacKay is a USITT Fellow and has served as a mentor to several generations of industry professionals. This is the eighth year these scholarships, funded by LDI and Live Design, have been offered with the goal of supporting underrepresented and unique voices in the field of entertainment design.
Pat MacKay Diversity In Design Scholarship application portal
Darius Knight Evans, a 2023 recipient and student at Boston University, notes:
The Pat MacKay Diversity In Design scholarship introduced me to LDI and gave me the opportunity to connect with industry professionals across every area of lighting design. The classes and networking opportunities offered through the Diversity In Design scholarship are priceless. I have found mentors and built friendships through LDI, and it is always a pleasure to return. Apply as soon as you can; you won’t regret it.
Elena Hewett, a 2025 recipient, adds:
The Diversity In Design scholarship changed my life and the trajectory of my career. It opened doors for me that I never could have found on my own. It put me in the rooms I had always dreamed of being in. The LDI team gave me the tools I needed to launch my career in lighting design. At LDI 2025, I made connections that will last a lifetime, and one of them helped me land my dream internship for this summer. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I am grateful to have been welcomed as part of the community.
TSDCA coordinates the sound design scholarships in collaboration with co-chair Lindsay Jones, while Live Design coordinates those for lighting and projection/digital media design. USITT, in collaboration with executive director Laura Lee Everett, handles the financial coordination with the universities. Both organizations hold 501(c)(3) non-profit status. Judging is carried out by a panel of design professionals chaired by lighting/projection designer Roma Flowers.
Undergraduate students enrolled in lighting, sound or projection/digital media design programs at accredited colleges, universities and community colleges, in both four-year and associate degree programs, are eligible to apply online. High school seniors who have been accepted into an undergraduate college, community college, design or certificate program may also apply.
Students applying for the scholarships will be required to provide:
- Samples of their work, such as a digital design portfolio or audio samples;
- References or recommendations from teachers or collaborators;
- An essay explaining why they would like to win the scholarship and outlining their career goals;
- A headshot or a photo of them working in the theatre;
- Each shortlisted candidate will be required to attend a Zoom interview with the judges.
Each student selected for one of the Pat MacKay Scholarships will receive educational funding of $1,250 per year, up to a maximum of $5,000 over four years depending on their current academic level, paid directly to their educational institution. To receive the following year’s payment, students must demonstrate progress toward their degree and maintain at least a 2.5 GPA.
The application process is now open and the submission deadline is June 11, 2026. The recipients of the eighth annual scholarships will be announced in late June or early July.
