Amy Melia, a Lighting Director & Programmer, says she recognizes and appreciates all the opportunities that have come her way. “There are people who have vouched for me and opened doors I never thought to even knock on,” she says. “I will not give up when faced with a negative response for any reason, be it my age or my gender. Those who came before didn’t and if I do, then we can never change the game for those who will come after us.”

Her advice to others is simply to skip the idea of having a “Plan B.” “If you have a Plan B, do that, because this Plan A is demanding. If this is your Plan A, do it. I’m literally having the best time in my life and if you want to do it, take the time to learn, take the training, read the manuals, then nothing can stand in your way.”