ETC announces 2015 LDI Student Sponsorship recipients

Every year ETC invites students with an interest in lighting design and stage technology from around the world to apply for the company's annual LDI Sponsorship as a part of its commitment to nurturing young people looking to launch professional careers in the industry. Sponsorship recipients - five from North America and two international students -- are awarded an all-expense-paid trip to the 2015 LDI tradeshow in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 23rd  through 25th, in addition to receiving exclusive ETC swag, backstage access to ETC's booth and newest products, as well as a special networking reception with the industry's leading professionals. Each student is also paired with a lighting designer mentor who will offer them guidance and support for one full year in order to help them get their fledgling careers of the ground. 

ETC is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2015 LDI Student Sponsorship:

Tiana Alderson
Currently working on her master's degree in lighting design at the University of Florida, Tiana recently completed her bachelor of arts from Biola University in 2010. She has extensive experience in lighting design and has designed shows like William Shakespeare's TheComedy of Errors , Noises Off , TheDiary of Anne Frank , Metamorphosis , In the Next Room , To Kill a Mockingbird , The Odd Couple , and many more. Tiana is also a two-time recipient of the Special Achievement in Design and Technical Production Award from Fullerton College.

Kolby Clarke
Studying theatre and speech education at Brigham Young University, Kolby graduated magna cum laude in 2013. He is currently pursuing a master of fine arts in stage design from Southern Methodist University and is expected to graduate in May of 2017. Kolby has designed lights for many shows including Burial at Thebes , The Tempest , Over the River and Through the Woods , Bielzy and Gottfried , and has co-designed for The Mikado . He has worked with venues such as the Utah Symphony, the African American Repertory Theater, Kitchen Dog Theater, and the Dallas Actor's Lab.

Lynsey Manley
Lynsey received a bachelor of arts degree from Southeastern Louisiana University in general studies with a concentration in theater in December of 2013. She is currently working on a master of fine arts in theater and lighting design from the University of Houston and is expected to graduate in 2017. Lynsey has worn many hats in her theatrical career including technical director, master electrician, stage manager, video programmer, carpenter, and, of course, lighting designer. Production credits include The Miser , Insecta , The Liar , Playboy of the Western World , Our Town , Blood Wedding , The Bacchae , Seven Deadly Sins , 'Night Mother , and many more.

Keenan Molner
Keenan is currently a graduate student studying electrical engineering at Stanford University after completing his undergraduate degrees in electrical engineering and theater. His interests lie in the intersection of technology and design. Keenan would like to pursue a career developing tools and technologies for other theater designers and artists to use. He has designed shows at Stanford, Zip Zap Circus School, and for various theater companies around the San Francisco Bay Area. He has also previously done engineering work in the television and film industry for Sumolight GmbH.

Lee Pei-Hsuan
Originally from Taipei, Taiwan, Le Pei-Hsuan received her bachelor's degree from Fu Jen Catholic University in 2010 and is currently studying to receive her master of fine arts from Taipei National University of the Arts. In addition to lighting design, Lee has experience in stage management and art direction for film. She has designed lights for venues such Comedian Workshop, the National Theater of Taipei, the National Grand Theater of China, Cuadro Flamenco Dance, and the Solo Taiwan Theatre Company. Her specific show credits include Other People's Money , The Importance of Being Earnest , Like Father, Like Son , Lonely Island, and L'Elisir d'Amore .

Markus Fadum
Currently earning his a bachelor of arts in lighting design from Rose Bruford College in London, England, Markus has already had significant experience designing for a variety of performance types including theatrical productions, live concerts, art installations, and dance performances in Manchester and London, England, and Norway. Most notably he was chosen as the lighting designer for Arcola Theatre's Creative Engagement 2015 Season as well as A Tryptech in the Cities for the Hoxton Gallery. His other favorite projects include Tree of Codes , a dance piece in collaboration with Rob Halliday and Olafur Eliasson, and The Beauty Above , a lighting installation which drew attention to light pollution around the world. Markus is expected to graduate in 2016.

Megan Winter
After graduating in 2007 with a bachelor of science in theater arts with a German language minor from North Dakota State University with an emphasis in theater technology and lighting design, Megan began her master of fine arts in theatrical lighting technology and design in 2013 at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Megan has been focusing on all roles pertinent to the realization of a lighting design: that of an electrician, a master electrician, a programmer, an assistant lighting designer, and finally as a designer. She will graduate in spring of 2016. Professional electrician and programmer credits include Dreigroschenoper at the Cologne Theatre and  Cipollino at the Cologne Opera. Megan was master electrician for the Great River Shakespeare Festival's 2015 Season: Much Ado About Nothing , Romeo and Juliet , and The Glass Menagerie . Professional designer credits include Weiße Rose at the Cologne Chamber Opera, Ship of Fools at the Interact Theatre Company.