ETC Introduces 2026 Fred Foster Student Mentees

ETC has announced the students that will participate in the 2026 Fred Foster Student Mentorship program. Through the program's online networking events, students will connect with industry mentors to help kick off their careers. 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.

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.

Learn more about each of the 2026 Fred Foster Student Mentees below:

Bailey Piontkowski is originally from Fort Worth, Texas, and is entering her final year of undergraduate studies at the University of Evansville, where she is earning a degree in theatre design and technology with an emphasis in lighting design. She has held a variety of production roles at UE as a designer, programmer, and head electrician. Last summer, she worked as an electrician and follow spot operator for Williamstown Theatre Festival.

Brittany A. Chato is a third-year MFA lighting design candidate at Carnegie Mellon University. She has worked as a lighting design fellow with Chautauqua Theater Company and Cincinnati Opera. This fall, she will design a production of The Turn of the Screw. Recent design credits include The House of Bernarda Alba, The Grown-Ups, and Comte Ory. Visit Chato's website at chatolighting.com .

Elliott Stradling is currently studying theatre technology at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he is in his second year. Concurrently with his studies, Stradling works as a lighting designer, programmer, and technician for theatre, opera, and dance in London. He has recently designed for productions of Cosi Fan Tutte and Frost Bite and has programmed productions of The Rite By Heart as well as Trial and Error. Visit Stradling's website at elliottstradling.com.

Ethan Hoffman is a recent alumnus of the University of Michigan, where he earned a BFA in theatre design and production with a concentration in lighting design. He has designed and contributed to a range of theatrical productions, including musicals, dance, and drama. His work includes both lead design and assistant roles, working closely with directors, designers, and production teams to create thoughtful visual environments on stage. Visit Hoffman's website at ethanhoffman.com.

Gus Papagiannis is a lighting designer, programmer, and technician originally from Greece. He is a recent graduate of technical theatre and stage management at The Lir Academy, Trinity College Dublin. He is currently the senior technician at the Pavilion Theatre in Dublin, working as lead LX designer/programmer and house technician for theatre, dance, music, and live events. Papagiannis also freelances internationally as a lighting designer and programmer. He was shortlisted for Lighting of the Year at the 2025 Production Futures Breakthrough Talent Awards and selected for USITT Training Ground with Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas. Visit Papagiannis' website at guspapagiannis.com.

Julie Adams graduated from Florida State University in 2023 with a B.A. in theatre, focusing on production and design. They are now a rising third year MFA candidate in lighting design at Carnegie Mellon University. They have previously designed for Canterbury Summer Theatre, Daytona Beach Festival of Magic, Florida State University, HAVEN CHICAGO, Weathervane Theatre, Arts Judaica, Powerhouse Theater, and Carnegie Mellon University. Visit Julie's website at jadamslighting.com.

Kyle Ryan is completing his graduate studies in lighting design at California Institute of the Arts. Previously, he earned a technical theatre degree from California State University of Long Beach. He has worked as the assistant lighting designer at Knott's Berry Farm and is interested in pursuing a career in themed entertainment, immersive environments, and architecture. Visit Ryan's website at kyleryandesigns.wixsite.com/kyleryandesigns.

Max Payton is on track to earn his bachelor of arts degree from Rollins College in 2027. With a passion for programming in theatre and dance, he has spent much of his undergraduate career working as a designer and technician on a wide range of productions. Recent credits include the ENOUGH dance concert, POTUS, and A Christmas Carol.

Stephanie Ma'alona is an MFA candidate in Design and Technology at San Diego State University. She earned an undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University in Theatre Arts Studies. She was first introduced to theatre lighting in community college and has pursued a career in it ever since, gaining design experience through productions such as Our Lady of The San Diego Convention Center, Merrily We Roll Along, La Lllorona on the Blue Line, and more.

Victoria Rickards is currently pursuing her master of fine arts in theatre with a concentration in scenic and lighting design at the University of South Carolina. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from the College of Charleston. In addition to her accomplishments in lighting, Rickards' paintings have been exhibited and presented by institutions including Art Basel Miami Beach, the Columbia Museum of Art, the Nickelodeon Theatre, the Richland Library, and the South Carolina Arts Foundation. Visit Rickards' website at victoriarickards.com.