Congratulations to lighting design student Ariana Warren, who is one of six outstanding theatre design student recipients of the 2026 Pat Mackay Diversity in Design Scholarship. 

This scholarship is awarded annually since 2019 in partnership with Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association USITT . The scholarships are worth up to $5,000 for each student and are funded and sponsored by LDI and Live Design, through LDI’s Foster the Future program, to support talent from underrepresented backgrounds in the field of entertainment design. This year’s outstanding student scholars are studying lighting and sound design. 

Ariana Warren is a lighting designer pursuing a BFA in Theatre Design and Technology with a minor in Cinematic Arts. She is on track to graduate a year early with honors, and is entering her final year at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She has been involved in multiple productions around the Las Vegas area and in Cedar City, Utah. Favorites include Little Shop of Horrors and Little Women. She has been in love with lighting for nearly a decade and is excited to pursue a career in the arts. She enjoys traveling and would love to design for theatre, film, and concerts around the world. As a Black woman, she is heavily inspired by other Black and African artists. Ariana hopes that as she continues her career, she will have the opportunity to tell vibrant stories about Black or African American people, their communities, and the struggles they face. She wants to inspire others like her to pursue their dreams and create more art for people to see. Ariana is grateful for the support of her family, friends, and mentors, as well as Pat MacKay, LDI, and USITT for investing in underrepresented students' futures.