An undergraduate technical theater student from Southern Utah University has won a 2016 Young Designers & Technicians (YD&T) Award from The United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT).
Andie Szekely, a senior BFA student from Las Vegas, won this year’s USITT Lighting Design Award. Of the 10 recipients, Szekely is one of two undergraduate students to receive an award and is the only student from Utah to be recognized.
“It feels really validating that someone outside of my group of mentors has noticed the passion in my work,” Szekely said.
One of those mentors, assistant theater professor Brian Swanson, nominated Szekely for the award. Swanson said Szekely exudes talent for lighting and design.
“She feels a connection through her lighting and is able to tell a story with it,” he said. “She has a very natural ability to create environments and set the mood on stage through her lighting design.”
During her time at SUU, Szekely has served as the lighting designer for a number of productions including “The Fantastics,” “Dancing at Lughnasa,” and “Hamlet” as well as multiple pieces in the student and faculty dance concerts. Szekely also served as the master electrician for the theater department’s production of “You Can’t Take It With You.”
Szekely said her opportunities at SUU have allowed her to grow and discover her passion in this field.
“Our technical theatre program is relatively small, so if you want to be involved, you almost always can be especially if you show initiative,” she said. “Never being denied any of those opportunities to get my hands on a show has really helped me progress in my career.”
Before she graduates in April, Szekely will design lights for “Rent,” her final main stage production at SUU.
The YD&T Awards bring support and recognition to young designers and technicians through funding from industry sponsors. The winners receive free registration to the four-day USITT Annual Conference & Stage Expo (March 16–19), plus cash prizes. Undergraduate recipients receive a one-year premium membership to Stage Jobs Pro, a jobs site for backstage crew and front-of-house professionals. The awards presentation will take place on March 17 in Salt Lake City.
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