ETC announces the talented students that will be a part of the 2024 Fred Foster Student Mentorship Program in North America. Through the program’s online networking events, students will meet a range of industry mentors. 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 2024 North American Fred Foster Student Mentees. Learn more about each of them below.
Aidan McLeod
Aidan recently graduated from The Theatre School at DePaul University, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Lighting Design with a Minor in Recording. Growing up in Middleton, Wisconsin, Aidan fostered his passion for theatre starting in high school, right around the corner from ETC’s Headquarters. He is motivated by collaborative processes that explore unparalleled design approaches to stories old and new. Aidan has lit productions including Who’s Your Baghdaddy? Or How I Started the Iraq War for Music Theatre of Madison, A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Theatre School, and As You Like It at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London. Additionally, he enjoys drafting and lighting programming, and will be continuing his career in New York City this summer. Visit Aidan’s website at https://aidanmcleoddesign.com/
Austin Burns
Austin is on track to earn his Bachelor of Science in Theatre, with a minor in IT, from Utah Tech University this December. He honed his skills in technical theatre and musical dance theatre while attending Tuacahn High School for the Performing Arts, graduating at the top of his class. Austin then began his professional journey at Tuacahn Center for the Arts, working on the electrics crew. Now, Austin works as a Performing Arts Technician at Utah Tech University, working on a diverse array of projects, including theatre productions, live music events, dance performances, acrobatics & circus arts, orchestras, and more. Austin is greatly supported by his wife, Sydney, and his family. Connect with Austin at https://www.burnstheatrical.com/
Dallas J. (DJ) Cook
DJ is working towards a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Much of DJ’s lighting design work has been focused in the area of dance, working on UNC Charlotte Department of Dance’s Verve, Roll With It…, Under the Umbrellas, and Under Construction. For theatre, DJ received a 2024 KCACTF Region IV nomination for lighting design for his work on Welcome to Our Village, Please Invade Carefully. DJ also works with IATSE 322 as a local stagehand and at UNC Charlotte as a Lead Lighting Lab Worker for Performing Arts Services and as an Audio/Visual Technician for the Student Activity Center and Venue Management.
Donna Yancey
Donna is a recent graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Theatre and Dance. Last summer, she completed an Assistant Lighting Design Internship at Summer Stock Austin (ImpactArts), programming for both shows. Donna also works as a Studio & Production Technician at the University of Texas Department of Theatre & Dance. She recently wrapped up work as the Lighting Programmer and Assistant Lighting Designer for Queen of Spades. Additional lighting design credits include You Can’t Drag Us Down, Pretend It’s Pretend, and Falling into Structured Meaninglessness. Donna enjoys working on dance, live theatre, and musical theatre productions and is eager to continue working in the field upon graduation.
Ilia Kemble
Entering her third year of graduate school, Ilia is on track to earn an MFA in Entertainment Design from Southern Methodist University. She previously earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from California State University, Fullerton. Ilia currently works as a Freelance Lighting Designer and has previously worked as a Lighting Installation Technician, Moving Lights Technician, Multi-Console Programmer, and more. Recent design credits include No Child, Winter’s Tale, Utility, and Blood at the Root. Among her many recognitions, Ilia earned the SMU Meadows School of the Arts Taubman Award for Excellence in Design in 2023. Check out Ilia’s work at https://iliakemble.com/
Jackson Funke
Based in Los Angeles, CA, Jackson is in his final year at California Institute of the Arts, working towards an MFA in Lighting Design. Jackson began working in lighting at the age of 13 through community theatre programs in his hometown of Minneapolis, MN. Since then, he has worked as a lighting professional for over a decade. His work has premiered with companies such as ATE9 Dance Company, Heidi Duckler Dance, Playdō Community, Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, Connecticut Repertory Theatre, Playhouse on Park, and more. Visit Jackson’s website at https://www.jacksonfunke.com/
Julian Cordova
Julian is currently studying at University of North Carolina School of the Arts to earn his undergraduate degree in Lighting Design & Technology. Julian’s career in lighting began in high school, designing for school productions and implementing new lighting technology. Now, Julian is determined to pursue a career as a theatrical lighting designer. His design work has been featured on The Rover, Photana: Team Polychrome, As You Like It, Emerging Choreographers, Billy Elliot, and more.
Madeline Elaine Miller
Madeline is currently pursuing a BFA in Lighting Design with an additional major in Environmental and Sustainability Studies at Carnegie Mellon University. In addition to designing, Madeline has experience as a Lighting Manager, Playwright, Programmer, Electrician, and more. Their recent design credits include Intimates, Macbeth, Love’s Labor’s Lost, Myths and Hymns, Micromegas, and Charity Case. Madeline is especially interested in work that engages with pressing social issues, and the intersection of light and media. They believe sustainability is an integral part of the theatre industry’s future. Connect with Madeline at https://madelineelainelx.com/
Melody Vilitchai
Melody is currently working towards an undergraduate degree at the University of California San Diego. After taking a theatre and dance class in her first year at college, she pursued a career in the industry, taking on volunteer lighting jobs and shadowing designers as often as she can. In particular, she has been observing at the La Jolla Playhouse. She has also honed her programming and spotlight operation skills through several opportunities at the university. Recent lighting design credits include Ups and Downs, & It’s Not Getting Better, and New Directions at the University of California San Diego.
Xuewei (Eva) Hu
Xuewei (Eva) Hu just received her MFA in Lighting Design at Carnegie Mellon University. Inspired by the boundless possibilities of light, she enjoys weaving the poetic nature of light into authentic narratives. Selected works include South Side Stories Revisited (City Theatre), One Day Down (SheNYC Theater Festival), and A Doll’s House (CMU Drama). Xuewei has toured as a stage manager and touring manager for DoodlePOP China Tour. She holds a B.A. in Theater and Performance Studies from UC Berkeley (2019). Visit some of her work at https://www.xueweihu.com/
