Live Design, in partnership with TSDCA & USITT, will once again award the annual Pat MacKay Diversity In Design Scholarships for undergraduate students who are enrolled in a university or community college entertainment design program. The goal of the scholarships is to increase gender and racial diversity for the future of lighting design, projection/digital media, and sound design, for theatrical applications and all areas of live events.
Founded in 2019, The Diversity In Design scholarships are named for Pat MacKay, formerly publisher of Theatre Crafts and Lighting Dimensions magazines and founder of the LDI Trade Show and Conference. She is a USITT Fellow and has served as a mentor for several generations of industry professionals. This is the eighth year that the 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 McKay Diversity In Design introduced me to LDI and gave me the chance to connect with industry professionals in every pocket 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 a treat every time I go back. 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 could’ve never found on my own. It put me in the rooms I had always dreamed of being in. The LDI team gave me every tool I needed to kickstart my career in lighting design. I built connections at LDI 2025 that will last a lifetime, and one of those connections led me to land my dream internship for this summer. This was the chance of a lifetime, and I’m incredibly 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 have non-profit 501C3 status. Judging is done 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 for four-year or associate degree programs, as well as high school seniors who have been accepted to an undergraduate college, university, or community college design or certificate program are eligible to apply online: Diversity In Design Scholarship Application Portal.
Students applying for the scholarships will be asked to provide:
• Copies of their work, such as a digital design portfolio, or audio samples;
• References/recommendations from teachers/collaborators;
• An essay on why they would like to win this scholarship and their career goals;
• A headshot or photo of them at work in the theatre;
• Each short-listed candidate will be asked to attend a zoom interview with the judges.
Each student that is selected for one of the Pat MacKay Scholarships will receive funds toward their education, $1250 paid per year (up to $5000 over four years, based on their current academic level) directly to their 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.
The application process is now open and the deadline for submissions is June 11, 2026. The eighth annual scholarship recipients will be announced in late June or early July.
Apply here: Pat MacKay Diversity In Design Scholarship Portal