ETC Philanthropy Program Gifts Lighting Packages to Four Organizations Making a Difference in the Theatre Industry

ETC has long been committed to providing charitable support to the performing arts; the education of upcoming generations of technical and design professionals; and the betterment of communities and non-profit entities. In 2024, the company introduced the Light the Way Program, a new equipment grant program donating sizable lighting packages to US-based organizations dedicated to training future generations of technical and design professionals in the performing arts. ETC is proud to share the four organizations who were selected to receive the inaugural equipment grants from the Light the Way program.

ETC has granted Light the Way equipment packages to Theatre MSU (Mississippi State University), Pillsbury House + Theatre, University City High School, and Valley High School. To better match the equipment grant to each facility’s needs, recipients selected their gear from a menu of package options offered by ETC. Each organization has received an Ion Xe console as well as a package of ColorSource Spot V fixtures. Additionally, Theatre MSU, Pillsbury House + Theatre, and Valley High School selected ColorSource Fresnel V fixtures to complete their grants, while University City High School selected ColorSource CYC fixtures. City Theatrical graciously donated the Multiverse® Transmitters that are a part of each console package.

In total, the equipment packages granted to the organizations are valued at $378,970. In addition to the lighting equipment, each organization participates in on-site training on how to use the gear from a member of ETC’s education team.

“The goal of the Light the Way Program is to support the next generation of lighting design and technology professionals by putting modern gear in the hands of organizations dedicated to training,” says ETC’s program administrator, Susan Foster. “It is our hope that access to state-of-the-art technology ignites a lifelong passion for the performing arts in the learners participating in these programs.”

Theatre MSU is the production organization of the Theatre concentration in the Department of Communication at Mississippi State University. The organization stages four Mainstage productions each year, creating a wide variety of performance and production opportunities for undergraduate students. Theatre MSU is notable in Mississippi as one of the only programs with a sustained commitment to Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA), having staged works for local youth since 1984. MSU students frequently transform their work in TYA into careers in theatre education, including recent graduates who have created their own company.

“Right away, this new equipment made a massive impact on the quality of lighting design for our productions. In addition to this, the students have been engaging with this new gear deeply, with some already set to start designing for their first time next year,” says Jesse Wade, Assistant Clinical Professor/Technical Director at Theatre MSU.

Located in Minneapolis, Pillsbury House + Theatre is a professional arts/human service hybrid, providing a center for creativity and community. In 2025, Pillsbury plans to launch a workforce development and training program to provide pathways for underrepresented young people to build careers in the theatre tech/media arts professions. Additionally, the theatre’s innovative and award-winning community engagement programs include Breaking Ice and the Chicago Avenue Project. Breaking Ice is a multi-racial, socio-political improvisational theatre program that develops performances and workshops focused on issues such as racism, homophobia, sexism, and domestic violence. The Chicago Avenue Project is a theatre-mentoring program that brings youth together with adult, professional artists to create original theatre.

After receiving their equipment and training, Claudia Errickson, Technical Director of Pillsbury House + Theatre says, “This equipment is an absolute game changer for the artistic and educational future of Pillsbury House + Theatre. Not only the equipment but the support, insight, and training provided by ETC has elevated the artistry, technical mastery, and educational horizons of our community.”

University City High School advances the 90-year legacy of its performance space with the upgrade from the Light the Way equipment grant. Serving students in University City, Missouri, the UCHS Theatre program stands as a beacon of creativity and talent, boasting a rich history dating back to 1926. With the new equipment, students will have greater opportunity to learn modern theatre practices. Additionally, the entire University City community will benefit from the updated system, as the school’s theatre program frequently collaborates with local organizations to host performances and events for the community at large.

Kendrick Hooks, UCHS Theatre Program Instructor, says, “The Light the Way Equipment Grant has transformed the way we teach and create in the UCHS Theatre Program, giving our students access to professional-grade tools that inspire creativity and build technical expertise. Additionally, the University City community greatly benefits from the new technology in the space, which will drastically improve the quality of community and district events as a whole. We are deeply grateful for this opportunity and the lasting impact it has made on our program.”

Valley High School is a Title I school located in South Sacramento. After seven years of staging zero live productions, the school has spent the past three years rebuilding a robust and thriving theatre program. The new console and lighting fixtures from Light the Way will enable the students to create even more outstanding art and further engage the community in the performing arts.