SB Indy Awards 2026 Alumna Celebrated for Set Design

The Santa Barbara Independent recognized Westmont's production of “Antigonick” by giving a coveted Indy Award for Set Design to recent graduate Ily Litonjua ’26. 

“Westmont’s production existed outside of traditional time and space, and the set design truly captured this liminality, featuring a cabinet of curiosities strung from the rafters,” said presenter Maggie Yates. 

“This was a very fun, unexpected surprise, because I really only got into set design because I needed to fulfill an art GE at Westmont when I got there. The rest is history,” Litonjua said. She thanked the Independent, Westmont’s theater community, including Mitchell Thomas. “Mitchell gave me the opportunity to take on set design, even though I really didn't know what I was doing,” she said. 

Litonjuna, who earned a bachelor’s degree in political science, was named the department’s Outstanding Senior of 2025-26. “Ily is one of the best students we’ve had in the past decade,” her professors wrote. “She is exceptionally brilliant, hardworking and thoughtful. But the best thing about Ily is that she cares for people. She approaches conversations with a posture of humility, inviting others into the conversation. She considers carefully what they say, and wants the best for them.”

Along with her work in the theater department, she served as a Spanish tutor and organized In-Step, Westmont's student hip-hop dance troupe.