ETC Philanthropy Program Gifts Lighting Equipment to Educational Programs

	ETC has granted Light the Way equipment packages to Tech25, Antelope Valley College, University of Louisiana Lafayette, Moapa Valley High School, and Stage Door Theatre.

Through charitable gifting, ETC has long supported the performing arts, the education of upcoming generations of technical and design professionals, and the betterment of communities and non-profit entities. In 2024, the company introduced Light the Way, an equipment grant program donating sizable lighting packages to US-based organizations dedicated to training future technical and design professionals. Five organizations have been selected for the second annual Light the Way program.

ETC has granted Light the Way equipment packages to Tech25, Antelope Valley College, University of Louisiana Lafayette, Moapa Valley High School, and Stage Door Theatre. Recipients selected gear from a menu of package options, identifying equipment that best suited their needs, ranging from Ion Xe consoles, Source Four LED Series 3, ColorSource V fixtures, Lonestar moving lights, and more. City Theatrical donated the Multiverse Transmitters included with each console package.

Equipment grants to the 2025 recipients are valued at $450,000. Each organization will also benefit from on-site training by a member of ETC's education team.

"Supporting the next generation of live design and technical professionals is very important to ETC," says program administrator Susan Foster. "With the Light the Way equipment grants, we hope to spark a lifelong passion for the performing arts for learners engaging with these worthy organizations."

Tech25 aims to bridge the equity and access gaps in Pittsburgh's creative industries workforce. The organization provides tuition-free and low-cost vocational training for broadcast and event production technology, focusing on reaching women, BIPOC individuals, and underserved learners. More than 600 learners engage with Tech25 each year through after-school programs, summer work, paid apprenticeships, and more.

"The Light the Way equipment grant will be absolutely essential in helping me teach this technology to the next generation of lighting technicians," says Zarien Santiago, lead lighting educator of Tech25.

Located in Lancaster, California, Antelope Valley College has offered an Associate of Arts Transfer in theatre arts for nearly a decade. Building on that success, the college recently introduced a new Technical Theatre Certificate Program. As the only certificate program of its kind within a 2,000-square-mile service area, it helps fill regional workforce needs while equipping students with the skills and experience to pursue creative careers.

"The anticipation from students, faculty, and staff has been nothing short of excitement and curiosity," says Carla Corona, Antelope Valley College faculty member. "Having the opportunity to receive a generous Light the Way Grant refreshes our black box theatre into the 21st century, helping our students learn and develop skills on the most up-to-date equipment."

University of Louisiana Lafayette recently launched a new School of Dance and Theatre, reflecting the school's commitment to increased student enrollment and expanded course offerings in the performing arts. The formation of the School also marks a strategic investment in the creative economy of South Louisiana, strengthening community partnerships and the creative workforce.

Marty Aikens, assistant professor and head of design and technology at the University of Louisiana Lafayette, says, "At the state university level, funding is a hard thing to come by. Waiting in line for all the deserving departments and programs is difficult and stresses our program. This is trouble in the pursuit of an art where quality is dependent on time. The ETC grant has helped us move forward."

Offering technical theatre classes as a part of its curriculum, Moapa Valley High School is invested in facilitating live performance in the school's community in Southern Nevada. Throughout the school year, the facility houses school-sponsored performances as well as community events and programs. For most these performances, all technical aspects are set up and facilitated by students participating in MVHS's technical theatre program.

"The new ETC lighting equipment has enhanced the way I teach lighting, and it will continue to enhance every performance for our school and community in Moapa Valley," says Dr. Kenna Higgins, director of the school's theatre department.

Stage Door Theatre engages community members in Atlanta through theatre performances, education, and outreach. Their programming has grown to include the Stage Door Performing Arts Academy, in-school residencies, and partnerships with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Corners Outreach, and Dunwoody Elementary School. Stage Door's training offerings provide young people with hands-on experience in technical theatre and design through immersive camps, apprenticeships, and direct mentorship with professional artists.

"Thanks to the generosity of ETC's Light the Way program, Stage Door Theatre was able to increase the quality of our productions practically overnight. The impact [it has] made is immeasurable," says Justin Ball, Stage Door Theatre's producing artistic director.

For more information about ETC's philanthropy programs, please visit the link below.