ETC Introduces 2026 Fred Foster Student Mentees
Date Posted: 6/4/2026
ETC is thrilled to announce the talented students that will participate in the 2026 Fred
Foster Student Mentorship Program. Through the program’s online networking events, students will connect with industry mentors to help kick off their careers. ETC’s late Founder and CEO Fred Foster started the program in 1999, recognizing the critical
role mentorship plays in any lighting professional’s career.
In addition to attending a series of virtual events to meet many lighting practitioners, each student will be matched with one or more mentors who provide informal career guidance in the following months.
Congratulations to the 2026 Fred Foster Student Mentees. Learn more about each of them below.
Bailey Piontkowski
Bailey is originally from Fort Worth, Texas, and is entering her final year of undergraduate studies at the University of Evansville, where she is earning a degree in Theatre Design and Technology with an emphasis in lighting design. She has held
a variety of production roles at UE as a designer, programmer, and head electrician. Last summer, she worked as an electrician and follow spot operator for Williamstown Theatre Festival.
Brittany A. Chato
Brittany A. Chato is a third-year MFA Lighting Design candidate at Carnegie Mellon University. She has worked as a Lighting Design Fellow with Chautauqua Theater Company and Cincinnati Opera. This fall, she will design a production of The Turn
of the Screw. Recent design credits include The House of Bernarda Alba, The Grown-Ups, and Comte Ory. Visit Brittany’s website at chatolighting.com
Elliott Stradling
Elliott is currently studying Theatre Technology at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he is in his second year. Concurrently with his studies, Elliott works as a lighting designer, programmer and technician for theatre, opera, and dance
in London. He has recently designed for productions of Così Fan Tutte and Frost Bite and has programmed productions of The Rite By Heart as well as Trial and Error. Visit Elliott’s website at elliottstradling.com
Ethan Hoffman
Ethan is a recent alumnus of the University of Michigan, where he earned a BFA in Theatre Design & Production with a concentration in lighting design. He has designed and contributed to a range of theatrical productions, including musicals, dance,
and drama. His work includes both lead design and assistant roles, working closely with directors, designers, and production teams to create thoughtful visual environments on stage. Visit Ethan’s website at ethanhoffman.com
Gus Papagiannis
Gus is a lighting designer, programmer, and technician originally from Greece. He is a recent graduate of Technical Theatre and Stage Management at The Lir Academy, Trinity College Dublin. He is currently the Senior Technician at the Pavilion
Theatre in Dublin, working as lead LX designer/programmer and house technician for theatre, dance, music, and live events. Gus also freelances internationally as a lighting designer and programmer. He was shortlisted for Lighting of the Year
at the 2025 Production Futures Breakthrough Talent Awards and selected for USITT Training Ground with Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas. Visit Gus’s website at guspapagiannis.com
Julie Adams
Julie graduated from Florida State University in 2023 with a B.A. in Theatre, focusing on production and design. They are now a rising third year MFA candidate in Lighting Design at Carnegie Mellon University. They have previously designed for
Canterbury Summer Theatre, Daytona Beach Festival of Magic, Florida State University, HAVEN CHICAGO, Weathervane Theatre, Arts Judaica, Powerhouse Theater, and Carnegie Mellon University. Visit Julie’s website at jadamslighting.com
Kyle Ryan
Kyle is completing his graduate studies in Lighting Design at California Institute of the Arts. Previously, he earned a Technical Theatre degree from California State University of Long Beach. He has worked as the Assistant Lighting Designer at
Knott's Berry Farm and is interested in pursuing a career in themed entertainment, immersive environments, and architecture. Visit Kyle’s website at kyleryandesigns.wixsite.com/kyleryandesigns
Max Payton
Max is on track to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree from Rollins College in 2027. With a passion for programming in theatre and dance, he has spent much of his undergraduate career working as a designer and technician on a wide range of productions.
Recent credits include the ENOUGH dance concert, POTUS, and A Christmas Carol.
Stephanie Ma’alona
Stephanie is an MFA candidate in Design and Technology at San Diego State University. She earned an undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University in Theatre Arts Studies. She was first introduced to theatre lighting in community college and
has pursued a career in it ever since, gaining design experience through productions such as Our Lady of The San Diego Convention Center, Merrily We Roll Along, La Lllorona on the Blue Line, and more.
Victoria Rickards
Victoria is currently pursuing her Master of Fine Arts in Theatre with a concentration in Scenic and Lighting Design at the University of South Carolina. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from the College of Charleston. In addition to her
accomplishments in lighting, Victoria’s paintings have been exhibited and presented by institutions including Art Basel Miami Beach, the Columbia Museum of Art, the Nickelodeon Theatre, the Richland Library, and the South Carolina Arts Foundation.
Visit Victoria’s website at victoriarickards.com