Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association

This year’s recipients:

Felix Joshi

Felix Joshi (they/he) is an aspiring sound designer and composer from Houston, Texas. Felix is a second-year student pursuing a BFA in Drama; Sound Design Emphasis from the University of Oklahoma’s Helmerich School of Drama. They aspire to design for experimental theatre and to compose music for contemporary dance and modern ballet. As a queer South Asian American student, Felix hopes to challenge cultural stigmas and represent their communities in artistic fields. Felix is honored to receive this award.

Sumaedha Konduri

Sumaedha is a senior Stamps Scholar at Tulane University in New Orleans, pursuing a BS in Cell & Molecular Biology and a BFA in Theatre Lighting Design. She strives to explore the intersection between storytelling, medical sciences, and social justice, through her work as a lighting designer and theatre researcher. Raised outside of Boston, she was introduced to technical theatre in middle school, before developing her interest in lighting and stage management while in high school, and eventually deciding to pursue technical theatre in college. Sumaedha draws her creative inspiration from her interdisciplinary academic research interests, her experience across several visual and performing art styles, and her intersectional South Asian heritage. Beyond theatre, she writes creatively and is an experienced Bharatanatyam dancer. In the future, she looks forward to exploring how the medium of lighting design is used across artistic and architectural disciplines for everything from storytelling to creating accessible real-world design. Sumaedha hopes to continue creating theatre and art centering creatives of color and underrepresented communities and hopes to help increase visibility for South Asian technical theatre creators.

Noah Monje

Noah Monje is 22 years old, born and raised in San Diego, California. He loved theatre from  young age after being taken to a touring production of The Wizard of Oz. After finding out that acting was not for him, he enrolled in theatre tech classes, and the after school drama/tech program in high school. Joining lighting on a whim, the Department Mentor, Jessica Vaness taught him how to be a quick thinking stagehand, electrician, and lighting console operator, while encouraging him to begin designing the school’s MainStage productions and student written One Acts. Graduating in 2021, Noah used the skills he learned in high school to help him land a job at The Poway Center for the Performing Arts (PCPA), and receive calls from IATSE Local 122. For both, he works as an electrician, and lighting console operator, but at the PCPA, he becomes an in-house lighting designer for the high schools, dance companies, and other clientele that rent the space. He also freelances as a lighting designer to schools and youth theatre companies across San Diego. Noah is excited to be attending Northeastern University- NYC in the fall. He wishes you to stay groovy.

Gisselle J. Morales

Gisselle J. Morales is a rising senior in the CUNY Hunter College Theatre undergraduate program. With a strong interest in sound design and technology, she has designed many student productions, developing the skills to pursue a career as a professional sound technician in live entertainment in the future. She hopes to strengthen her design and system knowledge through this opportunity and future connections.

Alisa Saisakorn

Alisa Saisakorn is a lighting designer and electrician originally from Washington State. Currently pursuing a BFA in lighting design at Boston University, she is enthusiastic about utilizing and supporting lighting design to tell stories of Asian American, immigrant, and BIPOC communities. In her spare time, she enjoys crocheting, traveling, and taking photos of colorful sunsets. Looking ahead, she is eager to continue her educational and professional journey in lighting design and production, both in Boston and beyond.

Ariana Warren

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 the Musical. 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.

Honorable mentions go to sound design students Mia Crocker, Lily Weigand, and Allie Rincand.

The Diversity In Design Scholarships are part of LDI’s Foster the Future Program, which comprises the Pat MacKay Diversity in Design Scholarship, the LDI + DSE Production Assistant Program, and the Young Career Professionals Program, which includes access to both show expo halls, an LDInnovation Conference badge, and special events for those ages 18-25. Find more info on Foster The Future here and register for LDI 2026 here.