The Pat MacKay Diversity In Design Scholarships are awarded annually in partnership with TSDCA and USITT, funded by LDI and Live Design, and sponsored by Lightswitch to support talent from underrepresented backgrounds in the field of entertainment design.
Ashley Nava is a sound designer and audio technician from Fullerton, California. She recently started her first year at The Theatre School at DePaul University, where she is studying sound design. Her goal is to work in sound for theater, film, concerts, or any other live event, and to become a well-rounded audio artist. As a Mexican American and first-generation college student, she also hopes to open doors for others from communities like hers and show that there’s a place for them in this industry.
Live Design talked to her about her work, career hopes, and being a recipient of the 2025 Pat MacKay Diversity In Design Scholarship.
Live Design: What brought you to this scholarship?
Ashley Nava: I had been following the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) and the Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association (TSDCA) on Instagram when I saw both accounts post about this scholarship. It immediately caught my attention because it focuses on diversity, which I felt represented my own background and experiences. Since I’m attending a private, out-of-state university, I was also searching for scholarships that could help ease the financial challenges of pursuing my education. This opportunity felt like the perfect fit in both supporting my goals and aligning with who I am.
LD: What drew you to design?
AN: What drew me to designing was how sound can completely transform a story. I love how it can make the audience feel something they didn’t expect, how a small sound or piece of music can change the meaning of a moment. I was also drawn to the mix of creativity and technology. It’s artistic, but it’s also very hands-on, and that balance really excites me.
LD: What are some of your career goals?
AN: I want to work in live entertainment, theater, or film as a sound designer or audio engineer. My goal is to gain as much hands-on experience as possible and eventually design larger productions or tours. I also hope to open doors for others who come from similar backgrounds as me, first-generation and Mexican American students, who might not often see people like them in this field. Beyond that, I want to work on meaningful projects that inspire others and help bring new, creative ideas to the world of theater that people haven’t seen before.
LD: How can the industry better serve underrepresented communities?
AN: By creating more mentorship and training opportunities for students from underrepresented backgrounds. Exposure is really important because many students don’t even know these jobs exist. Having outreach programs in schools, paid internships, and more visible representation can make a huge difference.
LD: Who or what are your influences in terms of people or events?
AN: The biggest influences in my life have been the people in my high school theater program who introduced me to audio and helped me discover my passion for sound. The directors and teachers who trusted me to design their shows and encouraged me to take on creative risks really shaped who I am today. I’m so grateful for how they always believed in me and pushed me toward bigger opportunities. I’d also say my parents are a huge influence. They came to a new country at a young age, leaving everything behind to build a better life for their future family. Their courage and determination inspire me every day to work hard and keep reaching for bigger goals.
LD: What challenges have you faced?
AN: One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is being a first-generation student. My parents didn’t have the chance to go through the college process, so I’ve had to figure a lot of things out on my own—like applications, financial aid, and finding opportunities in my field. It can be overwhelming at times, but it’s also taught me how to be independent and resourceful. There have been moments where I doubted if I belonged in certain spaces, especially in technical or creative environments where I don’t always see people with similar backgrounds. But those experiences have pushed me to work even harder and prove to myself that I do belong. It’s made me more determined to build a path not just for myself, but for others who come after me.
LD: Do you have a bucket list item?
AN: One of my biggest dreams is to design sound for a Broadway show or a large-scale production. I’d also love to travel and work on a theatre project in another country to experience how different cultures approach storytelling. Another goal on my list is to create or be part of a mentorship program for students in sound design, especially those from similar backgrounds as mine. And above all, I hope to work on projects that have a meaningful impact and represent the voices of people from my community.
LD: What are you hoping to take away from your experience at LDI 2025?
AN: I’m hoping to make connections with other professionals and students in the industry, learn more about new audio technology, and get inspired by seeing all the innovation in live entertainment. Networking and gaining technical skills are my main goals, but I’m also excited to just be surrounded by people who love this work as much as I do.