Kadynce Morton is studying Theatre Design, Production, and Management with an emphasis in Lighting Design at Boston University. At LDI, she hopes to take advantage of any internship and networking opportunities. After graduation, her goal is to work as the lighting designer for a touring Broadway production and she is hoping to have a skill set that will allow her to work her way up as a lighting technician or board operator.

Morton has been influenced by many designers but thinks that Natasha Katz's lighting deepens the story and brings out the emotions in any production. She would love the opportunity to talk to her about her work and her experience of being a female lighting designer. She says,  "Much of my motivation in this field comes from a desire to prove the gender stereotypes of the industry wrong, and I think what [Katz] could teach me about her experiences could be foundational in the rest of my career."

Morton talked to Live Design about watching designers “bend the rules” in their design work.

Live Design: What brought you to this scholarship?

Kadynce Morton: I came across the Pat McKay Diversity in Design scholarship by chance, but I was moved to apply after reading the description and feeling a deep connection to the scholarship’s intentions. I remember reading that “The goal of the scholarships is to increase gender and racial diversity [across] all areas of live entertainment”, and I knew that was a mission I wanted to be a part of. As a young female artist in a historically male-dominated industry, I have dedicated my career to overcoming gender stereotypes and advocating for others who are facing similar challenges in their respective fields. 

LD: What drew you to design?

KM: I’ve always had a passion for theater, but even after giving performance my best shot, I didn’t feel like the stage was the right place for me. Lighting design gave me an outlet to use my overflowing love for theater arts without having to face my stage fright. It allowed me to share my passion and fully display the breadth of meaning and emotion theater brought into my life. 

LD: What are some of your career goals?

KM: As a young designer in this industry, I am hoping to soon begin establishing myself as a rising artist in the lighting design world, working my way up to larger projects later in my career. The dream is a lighting design position on a new touring dance, cirque, or musical theater production. 

LD: How can the industry better serve underrepresented communities?

KM: I believe the technical theater/behind-the-scenes entertainment industry can better support its diverse artists by showcasing ALL of their stories and inviting the next generation of aspiring creatives to see someone like them doing what they want to do; to find a role model. 

LD: Who or what are your influences in terms of people or events?

KM: My design style has been influenced by many designers across the industry. I was first inspired by the likes of Justin Townsend, Nick Whitehouse, and Natasha Katz because they pushed the envelope of what lighting design was and could be. Seeing them “bend the rules” encouraged me to challenge my understanding of lighting design and led to some of the best learning experiences and my favorite creations of my career. 

LD: What challenges have you faced?

KM: The biggest obstacle I have run into in my early career has been a subtle sexism from the people I’ve worked with. My journey in this industry began in a male-dominated environment, and the men I was working with made a point to voice their disapproval and skepticism of my abilities as a lighting designer; a female lighting designer. 

LD: Do you have a bucket list item?

KM: In addition to attending LDI, my bucket list is overflowing with destinations and international experiences that I hope to one day have.

About the Pat MacKay Diversity In Design Scholarships

The scholarships are named for Pat MacKay, former publisher of Theatre Crafts International (TCI) and Lighting Dimensions and founder of the LDI trade show. She is a USITT Fellow and has mentored multiple generations of industry professionals. The Diversity In Design Scholarships were introduced in 2019 to support the diverse and unique voices in the field of entertainment design and are presented to undergraduate students.

The Diversity In Design Scholarships are sponsored by Lightswitch, in their effort to support the next generation.

Article Sourced from Live Design