Artistic Finance

A conversation about the business side of being a projection designer with Zak Borovay, who on Broadway has designed Elf, Xanadu, and Rock of Ages. He has also done work for Disney and Universal theme parks, lots of cruise lines, and the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular.   Topics: ⭐️ Protections of a union ⭐️ Keeping your investments ⭐️ History of projection designers joining USA 829 ⭐️ Freelancing versus being employed at a production company ⭐️ Recommending projects to the people you’re working with (because when you don’t, it is very noticeable)   Video Version https://youtu.be/tFfdw6gcd00   Zak Borovay https://borovaydesign.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/borovayz/ https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/zak-borovay-391728   Wendal Harrington http://www.wendallharrington.com/   Driscoll Otto https://www.driscollotto.com/   Light Talk https://lighttalk.libsyn.com/   Rock of Ages https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/rock-of-ages-482291     Zachary Borovay is an award-winning creative director and media /projection designer whose leadership shapes some of the most ambitious live and immersive entertainment experiences in the world. Known for uniting creative vision, storytelling, and emerging technology, he leads multidisciplinary teams to deliver media-driven experiences that captivate audiences across Broadway, global touring productions, themed entertainment, museums, and large-scale architectural environments. His creative direction and media leadership span landmark projects including the international phenomenon Rock of Ages, alongside Evita, Elf, Xanadu, Ann, Lombardi, A Catered Affair, and Waiting for Godot & No Man’s Land starring Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen. Beyond the theater, he has driven large-scale spectacles such as the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular, Voyage de la Vie in Singapore, and Peepshow in Las Vegas, as well as major experiential work for Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, as well as many major cruise lines including Disney Cruise Lines, Norwegian, Holland America and Royal Caribbean. He has even designed media for broadcast and arena concert tours. A recognized authority in entertainment technology and creative production, Zachary serves as Live Design/LDI’s Content Advisor and played a key role in establishing projection design as a formal discipline within United Scenic Artists Local 829. As a strategic advisor to leading media and technology companies—including Disguise, Dataton, Green Hippo, Barco, Christie, Panasonic, and Apple—he helps shape the tools that define the future of live entertainment, while mentoring the next generation of designers through courses lectures at institutions such as Yale School of Drama, Emerson, CalArts and NYU.   Instagram Handles @front_projection @ethansteimel @nicolevsteimel  

Choreographer Staś Kmieć explains how he’s handled the business side of his theatre and dance career.   Topics: ⭐️ Tax filing ⭐️ Healthcare ⭐️ Fiddler On The Roof ⭐️ Not spending money when on tour   Video Version: https://youtu.be/CUtkLbPZnQ4   Staś Kmieć https://www.linkedin.com/in/sta%C5%9B-kmie%C4%87-462b8519/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sta%C5%9B_Kmie%C4%87   Guernica by Pablo Picasso https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guernica_(Picasso)   Sammy Dallas Bayes https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/sammy-dallas-bayes-1044   Heathers https://heathersthemusical.com/   VITA - Free Tax Filing https://www.sagaftra.org/ny/vita   Accountants for Creatives https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YG1sgP4LqJa6Rk5CBdnvlQ2ByEvzFNKSS6uI61QkMlY/edit?tab=t.0   Fiddler on the Roof - In Yiddish https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fidler_Afn_Dakh   Me and My Girl https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Me_and_My_Girl   The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Best_Little_Whorehouse_in_Texas   SDC - Stage Directors & Choreographers https://sdcweb.org/   AEA - Actors Equity https://actorsequity.org/aboutequity   SAG-AFTRA - Screen Actors Guild / American Federation of Television and Radio Artists https://www.sagaftra.org/   AGMA - American Guild of Musical Artists https://www.musicalartists.org/   Light Talk - Jeff Nellis https://lighttalk.libsyn.com/light-talk-episode-459-be-tenacious-and-nice-our-conversation-with-jeff-nellis Staś Kmieć (Direction/Choreography) has directed/choreographed multiple productions of Fiddler on the Roof throughout the world, including the new production in Yiddish that was a surprise hit on the New York theater scene (2019 Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, and New York Drama Critics’ Circle Citation for “Best Musical Revival”). He honors the style, intent and tradition of Jerome Robbins, and mentor Sammy Dallas Bayes and has now has taken the mantle as the "Keeper of the Fiddler flame" from the Robbins Foundation. Other works include: the LA premiere of My Antonia (music by Stephen Schwartz), Finding Madame Curie (Theater Row-NYC), Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Ireland premiere), Me and My Girl tour, The Elephant Man, Don Giovanni, L’elisir d’amore, Die Fledermaus, Nutcracker, Films – The Comedian, Trust the Man. Artistic Director: Ballet Western-Reserve, Lubliniacy Polish Folk Ensemble, Sarabande Repertory Ensemble. As a performer, Staś appeared on Broadway with Lee Theodore’s American Dancemachine, and in Don Quixote with Rudolf Nureyev; and toured nationally in Fiddler on the Roof starring Theodore Bikel totaling 1,682 performances. He danced with Boston Ballet, Metropolitan Opera Ballet, and Stars of American Ballet, toured worldwide with Nureyev, and has appeared in acting and dancing roles on film and TV.  Awards include: New York Musical Festival’s “Excellence in Choreography” –The Mapmaker’s Opera (now titled The Stranger from Seville), Poland’s highest cultural honor – the Oskar Kolberg Award. He is a member of: Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, Actors Equity, Screen Actors Guild-AFTRA, American Guild of Musical Artists.   Instagram Handles @ethansteimel @nicolevsteimel

Broadway lighting programmer Brad Gray discusses financial literacy and the importance of making that choice to prioritize your finances so that you aren’t forced to hustle until your dying day.   Topics: ⭐️  Rich Dad, Poor Dad ⭐️  Programmer day rates ⭐️  Rental real estate investing ⭐️  ROTH IRAs and Retirement Accounts ⭐️  Starting them early and NOT dipping into them when purchasing a new home unless you really have to   Video Version https://youtu.be/4uJpUwkBDY0   Brad Gray  https://www.bradgray.lighting/   Rich Dad, Poor Dad https://bookshop.org/a/86693/9781612681139 (my affiliate link!)   Bigger Pockets https://www.biggerpockets.com/podcasts/real-estate   FHA Loan https://www.hud.gov/helping-americans/loans   PMI https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-private-mortgage-insurance-en-122/   Isabella Byrd https://www.isabellabyrd.design/   Justin Townsend https://www.justintownsenddesign.com/   Aland Henderson https://www.linkedin.com/in/aland-henderson-914b669/   Trudy Durant https://tcdurant.com/home.aspx   Accountants https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YG1sgP4LqJa6Rk5CBdnvlQ2ByEvzFNKSS6uI61QkMlY/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.pb5zrm8roqpz   Brad grew up in Oklahoma, where his passion for theater began at a young age. By 7, he was performing in local musicals and plays. At 10, he was operating the sound console for his local church, and by 14, he was assisting with the electrical overhaul of the Bartlesville Community Center (BCC), a 1,700-seat proscenium theater. This project opened the door to more opportunities at the BCC, including national tour load-ins, show runs, and load-outs. It was there that Brad first explored lighting programming, honing his skills on numerous plays, musicals, concerts, ballets, and symphonies performed on the BCC stage. ​ Brad pursued his passion for theater at the University of Oklahoma, studying under the late Steven Draheim and earning a degree in Lighting Design. During his later years at OU, he interned at the prestigious Williamstown Theatre Festival (WTF) in Williamstown, MA, where he gained the skills and connections necessary to launch a career in programming in New York City. Brad continued to work at WTF for three more years, serving as the Master Electrician of the Nikos Stage and later as Production Electrician. Beyond shaping his career, Williamstown also introduced Brad to his wife, Mariah. ​ With over 20 years of experience as a lighting programmer, lighting director, and consultant, Brad has built an impressive career in theater, working on over 15 Broadway shows, including The Lion King, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Death Becomes Her and others, collaborating with industry leaders like Justin Townsend, Don Holder, and Kevin Adams. Brad is also a passionate educator, having guest lectured at NYU, Rutgers, Brooklyn College, Juilliard, the University of Oklahoma, Texas State University, and many other academic institutions, ranging from high school to collegiate education. His expertise and creative vision have taken him to stages and venues around the world, solidifying his reputation as a trusted professional in the industry. ​​ More recently, Brad has been consulting on installation projects and sales, helping schools and universities, museums, houses of worship, concert halls, and other venues bridge the gap between the overwhelming variety of equipment available and the trusted tools used by industry leaders.  ​ Today, Brad resides in Randolph, NJ, with Mariah, their son Benjamin, and their golden retriever, Charlie. When he’s not working on Broadway or traveling internationally, Brad enjoys disc golf, hunting, tackling personal projects, investing in real estate, and diving into books on personal finance.   Instagram Handles @bradgraylighting @ethansteimel @nicolevsteimel  

Tax expert Susan Lee discusses tax implications and best practices for freelancers.   Topics: ⭐️  Cashflow ⭐️  Having a will ⭐️  Being your own bookkeeper ⭐️  A financial health checklist and a financial disaster kit   Video Version https://youtu.be/uJQLmbiwCA0   Freelance Taxation https://www.freelancetaxation.com/   Pieter Bruegel The Elder https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pieter_Bruegel_the_Elder   The Beekeepers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pieter_Bruegel_the_Elder#/media/File:Pieter_Brueghel_the_Elder_-_The_Beekeepers_and_the_Birdnester,_c1568_-_Kupferstichkabinett_Berlin.jpg   Kunsthistorisches Museum - Vienna https://www.khm.at/en   The Albertina Museum - Vienna https://www.albertina.at/en/   Bird by Bird https://bookshop.org/p/books/bird-by-bird-some-instructions-on-writing-and-life-anne-lamott/7937cf657650025e?ean=9780385480017&next=t&aid=86693&listref=artistic-finance-books   Altadena https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eaton_Fire   Abortion Bans by State https://www.guttmacher.org/state-policy/explore/state-policies-abortion-bans#:~:text=shortly%20after%20birth.-,Highlights,bans%20based%20on%20gestational%20duration.   Maternal Mortality https://thegepi.org/maternal-mortality-abortion-bans/   Susan Lee has prepared taxes for freelancers and artists in New York City for over twenty years. She is a Certified Financial Planner Professional™ who created FreelancerTaxation.com with the intention to give freelancers and artists basic information that will allow them to take advantage of their self-employed status and to meet the challenges inherent in freelancing.   Susan has written these articles for, as well as spoken to, freelancers and artist organizations including Columbia University, Bronx Museum of the Arts, Graphic Artists Guild, New York Foundation for the Arts, National Writers Union, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, Music Cares, The Drawing Center, and others.

(Audio problems? I made a mistake uploading, so delete the episode and then try to play it again.) Costume designer Elsa Hiltner talks about the lack of pay equity in theatrical design and what she is doing about it.   Topics: ⭐️ Living wage ⭐️ The Pay Equity Standards ⭐️ The Theatrical Designer Pay Resource ⭐️ Annual income for Chicago-based non-union costume designers   Video Version: https://youtu.be/8DZsxRe0w_g     https://www.elsahiltner.com/   Elsa Hiltner is an organizer and activist for pay and labor equity in the arts. She has worked for over 15 years as a freelance artist and arts non-profit administrator, including as director of development for Collaboraction Theatre Company and her current role as director of programs at a legal service organization that supports artists in Illinois. These experiences as an arts worker deeply inform her work as an arts advocate. Her essays on labor and pay equity have inspired systemic change in the theatre industry, and the tools she has created including the Pay Equity Standards and the Theatrical Designer Pay Resource have been used nation-wide by individuals and organizations to promote pay transparency and pay equity. She is a co-founder of On Our Team, and in 2021, she was honored to receive the Michael Merritt Arts Advocacy Award.    Photo of Elsa by zakkiyyah najeebah dumas-o'neal   Instagram Handles @elsahiltner @ethansteimel @nicolevsteimel

Part two of the conversation with Broadway lighting designer Jane Cox.   Topics: ⭐️ Keeping overhead low ⭐️ Paying theatre designers hourly  ⭐️ Penny Remsen - Jane’s lighting mentor ⭐️ Paying for assistants / drafting out of the design fee ⭐️ Two recent design fees - one for an opera, one for an off Broadway musical   Video Version https://youtu.be/1qBXKh3-QfM   Artistic Finance https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance   False Steps - Off-Broadway Play https://www.falsestepscomedy.com/   Jane Cox https://janecoxlight.squarespace.com/ https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/jane-cox-115195   Sam Pinkleton https://sampinkleton.com/   Stacey Derosier  https://www.staceyderosier.com/   Accountants for Theatre Artists https://www.artisticfinance.com/resources.html   Planned Parenthood https://www.plannedparenthood.org/donor-services   The Watershed https://thewatershed.org/donate/   Roundabout Workforce Development Program https://www.roundabouttheatre.org/education/career-training/theatrical-workforce-development-program   1/52 Project https://www.oneeveryfiftytwo.org/   Tech 25 in Pittsburgh (Jordan Gilliam) https://www.tech25.org/ Website temporarily down as of July 2025   Brighter Boston (Aja Jackson) https://www.brighterboston.org/   Design Action https://www.design-action.com/   LA Opera https://laopera.org/   Teeth The Musical https://teeththemusical.com/   Playwrights Horizons https://www.playwrightshorizons.org/   Elsa Hiltner's Designer Pay Resource https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1myTM4B4VGfv21iJovNLYiIopUtsDClzSGLsFOsAZHi4/edit?gid=0#gid=0   Penny Remsen https://www.umass.edu/theater/about/directory/penny-remsen https://www.linkedin.com/in/penny-remsen-1b53b8a/   Ben Stanton https://benstanton.com/   Justin Townsend https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/justin-townsend-117237   Brian MacDevitt https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/brian-macdevitt-25766   NYU Graduate Design School https://tisch.nyu.edu/design   University of Massachussets Amherts https://www.umass.edu/theater/   Jane Cox is a theater maker, an educator and a lighting designer working in theater, opera, dance and music. Jane won a Tony, a Drama Desk and the Henry Hewes award in 2024 for her lighting for Appropriate, and has three Tony nominations for Macbeth (‘22), Jitney (‘17) and Machinal (‘14). Her creative career has been built on relationships; some of the extraordinary theatrical artists who have shaped her creative life include Ruben Santiago-Hudson, John Doyle, Elise Thoron, Shariffa Ali, Caitríona MacLaughlin, Sam Pinkleton, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Stacey Derosier and Sam Gold. Jane is also inspired by her brilliant students and young alumni   Recent designs include a co-design for Michael R Jackson and Anna K Jacob’s Teeth with Stacey Derosier; Donnacha Dennehy’s Land of Winter at the Irish Arts Center; The Weir at the Abbey Theater in Dublin (her home town); Felon: An American Washi Tale; and The Marriage of Figaro, Cosi and Don Giovanni at San Francisco Opera. Upcoming projects include Marina Carr’s new trilogy at the Abbey in Dublin and the Rocky Horror Show on Broadway.   Other highlights have been co-organizing and hosting the 2023 symposium and creative convening The Future of Race in Design at the Park Avenue Armory with Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Mimi Lien and Mikaal Sulaiman; organizing a series of events with returning citizens in conjunction with performances of Felon: An American Washi Tale by Reginald Dwayne Betts; working with the engineer Naomi Leonard, composer Dan Trueman and co-designer Tess James on Rhythm Bots, a project investigating collective motion and rhythmic connection with robots; and receiving a Distinguished Achievement Award from USITT in 2025.   Jane has been a member of the Monica Bill Barnes dance company for more than twenty years and has been working with fellow lighting designer Tess James in many capacities for fifteen. She is a Professor of the Practice and Director of the Program in Theater and Music Theater at Princeton University, where she is also the co-director for the Fund for Irish Studies and a member of CreativeX. She is married to brilliant conceptual artist Evan Alexander and they have a fantastic teenage daughter who so far shows no interest in going into theatre.   Instagram Handles @janecoxlight @ethansteimel @nicolevsteimel

Lighting designer Jane Cox discusses life as a freelance theatre designer who has also taken on some full time academic work.   Topics: ⭐️ Parenting while working in the arts ⭐️ Paying student loans with a credit card ⭐️ Prioritizing the needs of the community above the market rate  ⭐️ The financial system working against theatre design as a career ⭐️ Jane’s tax rate as a freelancer nearing 50%, and having it lower once she started working a full time W2 job.   Video Version https://youtu.be/jA1IOCWmHFs   Artistic Finance https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance   Jane Cox https://janecoxlight.squarespace.com/ https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/jane-cox-115195   Appropriate https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appropriate_(play)   Linda Essig https://www.artisticfinance.com/147.html   Penny Remsen https://www.umass.edu/theater/about/directory/penny-remsen https://www.linkedin.com/in/penny-remsen-1b53b8a/   Irish Session https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_traditional_music_session   Cory Pattak's Podcast https://in1podcast.com/   Light Talk Podcast https://lighttalk.libsyn.com/   NYU Graduate Design School https://tisch.nyu.edu/design   University of Massachussets Amherts https://www.umass.edu/theater/   Clifton Taylor https://cliftontaylor.com/   Jennifer Tipton https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Tipton   False Steps - Off-Broadway Play https://www.falsestepscomedy.com/   Jane Cox is a theater maker, an educator and a lighting designer working in theater, opera, dance and music. Jane won a Tony, a Drama Desk and the Henry Hewes award in 2024 for her lighting for Appropriate, and has three Tony nominations for Macbeth (‘22), Jitney (‘17) and Machinal (‘14). Her creative career has been built on relationships; some of the extraordinary theatrical artists who have shaped her creative life include Ruben Santiago-Hudson, John Doyle, Elise Thoron, Shariffa Ali, Caitríona MacLaughlin, Sam Pinkleton, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Stacey Derosier and Sam Gold. Jane is also inspired by her brilliant students and young alumni   Recent designs include a co-design for Michael R Jackson and Anna K Jacob’s Teeth with Stacey Derosier; Donnacha Dennehy’s Land of Winter at the Irish Arts Center; The Weir at the Abbey Theater in Dublin (her home town); Felon: An American Washi Tale; and The Marriage of Figaro, Cosi and Don Giovanni at San Francisco Opera. Upcoming projects include Marina Carr’s new trilogy at the Abbey in Dublin and the Rocky Horror Show on Broadway.   Other highlights have been co-organizing and hosting the 2023 symposium and creative convening The Future of Race in Design at the Park Avenue Armory with Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Mimi Lien and Mikaal Sulaiman; organizing a series of events with returning citizens in conjunction with performances of Felon: An American Washi Tale by Reginald Dwayne Betts; working with the engineer Naomi Leonard, composer Dan Trueman and co-designer Tess James on Rhythm Bots, a project investigating collective motion and rhythmic connection with robots; and receiving a Distinguished Achievement Award from USITT in 2025.   Jane has been a member of the Monica Bill Barnes dance company for more than twenty years and has been working with fellow lighting designer Tess James in many capacities for fifteen. She is a Professor of the Practice and Director of the Program in Theater and Music Theater at Princeton University, where she is also the co-director for the Fund for Irish Studies and a member of CreativeX. She is married to brilliant conceptual artist Evan Alexander and they have a fantastic teenage daughter who so far shows no interest in going into theatre.   Instagram Handles @janecoxlight @ethansteimel @nicolevsteimel

An update on the $6,000 of investments we made in May of 2021.   Four lighting designers and a bond investment CEO review how our investments compare to the S&P 500.   Video Version https://youtu.be/_hiXSC5HY6A   Artistic Finance https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance   False Steps: A Ballroom Comedy https://www.falsestepscomedy.com/   ETFs: IVV - iShares Core S&P 500   Stocks: VST - Vistra Corp LAC - Lithium Americas TAP - Molson Coors Beverage (owners of Blue Moon) SKLZ- Skillz   Cryptocurrency: Bitcoin   Wine: Vinovest   Real Estate - REITS: REG - Regency Centers Corp -Previously UBA SRG - Seritage Growth Properties VICI - Experiential Real Estate - Previously MGM Properties STAG - STAG Industrial   Art: Bret Slater - Artist https://www.bretslater.com/  https://www.patreon.com/posts/64295618   VTSAX - Total USA Stock Market Index Fund https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/VTSAX/   Coinbase - COIN https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/COIN/   Masterworks https://www.masterworks.com/   Bridget Riley https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridget_Riley   Kroger - KR https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/KR/   Nvidia - NVDA https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/NVDA/   Daktronics - DAKT https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/DAKT/   Maithreyi Gopalakrishnan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maithreyi-gopalakrishnan/ https://www.liquidificorp.com/   Ebony Madry: https://www.instagram.com/ebmadry/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebony-madry-6a9651139/   Amy D Lux: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-d-lux-953a7318a/ https://utopiadreamscape.com/author/luvlogica/   Gary Archer https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-archer-31482933/ https://www.instagram.com/lightdesign2020/   Ethan Steimel https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethansteimel/ https://www.instagram.com/artisticfinance/?hl=en   Instagram Handles @ebmadry @liquidifi @officialamydlux @lightdesign2020 @ethansteimel @artisticfinance  

Set designer Vincent Gunn talks about the benefits of tracking the hours that you work.   Topics: ⭐️ Valuing your time  ⭐️ Investing the money in your retirement account ⭐️ Writing things down and getting them out of your head ⭐️ Designers thinking about work even when they’re not at work   Video Version https://youtu.be/g1BZrnh3l7A   Artistic Finance https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance   Vincent Gunn https://www.vincentgunn.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincent-gunn-3a45aab2/ https://www.instagram.com/vincentgunndesign/?hl=en   Hours Tracker https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1P-ujmcgDcdZYxW78hqBa3HgiBdlI0gGK0LGG2RoNZqw/edit?usp=sharing   NEA Budget Cut Tracker https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cHCTXssMWuMweRLUjGQKtsck_rg7v4tMg7cpfzDQil8/htmlview?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaeulUJ--0GngJ37kmfk-9enz2w9TczbBkJ8hs4U-ZuBgeaGYyF4TCzLnnQi4Q_aem_6SEys-aWiD8H-wxOGseuWw%23gid%3D0   Liability Insurance for Lighting Folx https://www.artisticfinance.com/136.html   Liability Insurance for Performers https://www.artisticfinance.com/141.html   Vincent (he/him) is a New Jersey based Scenic Designer. He has designed shows for various theatre companies in the New York area and beyond including York Theatre Company, Centenary Stage Company, Vanguard Theater Company, St. Bart's Players, Stella Adler Studio of Acting, Post Theatre Company, the Metropolitan Playhouse, the New London Barn Playhouse, and various educational venues. He has assisted designers on productions at venues such as The New York Philharmonic, LABrynth Theater Company, Irish Repertory Theatre, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Roundabout Black Box, BAM Fisher, La Mama ETC and INTAR. Vincent has a B.A. in Theatre Design and Production from Fordham University. vincentgunn.com @vincentgunndesign   Instagram Handles @ethansteimel @nicolevsteimel @vincentgunndesign  

TheatrIcal lighting designer Jason Lynch talks about freelancing in Chicago.    Topics: ⭐️ LLCs ⭐️ Estate Sales ⭐️ Keeping our humanity ⭐️ Investing in the S&P 500 ⭐️ Some of Jason’s recent design fees ⭐️ Moving to a big theatre city, that’s not New York   Video Version https://youtu.be/y5PApxbBG_I   Artistic Finance https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance   Jason Lynch https://www.jasondlynch.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasondlynch/ https://www.instagram.com/jasonlynch.design/   Vehicle Expenses Tracker https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kDb48wLKWWnkGigyu52tYYGWRHDV2h-Ai7AizNCrtb8/edit?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZh7dkkg9Htl1oE4M46Emo-Cw8yEahk7n90sRBCDy5R32W5D1xbTHSjvYI_aem_adKVVnGYaIN_xPS6bS21wQ&gid=1052323773#gid=1052323773   IRS.gov https://www.irs.gov/   Lynn Nottage - "Why I'll Never Make It" Interview https://broadwaypodcastnetwork.com/podcasts/why-i-ll-never-make-it/lynn-nottage-writes-through-some-of-life-s-hardest-moments/366   SPY https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/SPY/   Arrived - Real Estate Investing https://arrived.com/   Lofty - Real Estate Investing https://www.lofty.ai/   OSF - Oregon Shakespeare Festival https://www.osfashland.org/   Indiana Rep https://www.irtlive.com/   Estate Sales https://www.estatesales.net/   JASON LYNCH is a Chicago-based lighting designer for theatre, dance, opera, and other live performance art. Regional: Alley Theatre, Alliance Theatre, Baltimore Center Stage, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, City Theatre Company, Dallas Theater Center, Denver Center Theatre Company, George Street Playhouse, Geva Theatre Center, Goodman Theatre, Goodspeed Musicals, Huntington Theatre Company, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Northlight Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, The Old Globe, Trinity Repertory Company, among others.  Lynch was also the recipient of the 2022 Equity Jeff Award for his work on Choir Boy at Steppenwolf Theatre and the 2019 Michael Maggio Emerging Designer Award, which recognizes emerging theatrical designers within the Chicago area. Jason is represented by United Scenic Artists, Local USA-829 of the IATSE and The Gersh Agency. jasondlynch.com, @jasonlynch.design   Instagram handles: @jasonlynch.design @ethansteimel @nicolevsteimel  

Projection designer Sven Ortel talks about career finances.   Topics: ⭐️ Being persistent  ⭐️ Insisting you get credit for your work ⭐️ Organizing your taxes and writing it down ⭐️ Separating the production budget from the design budget   Video Version https://youtu.be/YDxUvU-in4U   Artistic Finance https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance   Sven Ortel https://www.svenortel.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/svenortel/ https://www.instagram.com/svenortel/   Is the credit "Projection Design" or "Video Design?" https://www.projctn.com/about-projection-design   Projection Design Costs https://www.projctn.com/projection-design-costs   Trudy C Durant https://tcdurant.com/home.aspx   Notion https://www.notion.com/   Caite Hevner Episode https://www.artisticfinance.com/93.html   Since 2000, Sven Ortel has been exploring and advancing the use of imagery and projection in the live arts. His primary interest is how digital and emerging technologies can create engaging narrative experiences. He is particularly drawn to complex scenic and production design challenges that place live audiences at the center of the experience, and he enjoys collaborating with other experts and creatives.   Originally from Cologne, Germany, Sven earned his BA in Lighting Design in London, where he designed media for Simon McBurney’s seminal production of *Measure for Measure* at the National Theatre in 2004. He then created many projection designs for opera, dance, musicals, and plays across Europe and eventually in the US. In 2012, he was nominated for a Tony Award for his work on Disney’s *Newsies*. In 2014, he received a Drama League nomination for his designs in Julie Taymor’s *A Midsummer Night's Dream* at the Polonsky Shakespeare Center in Brooklyn.   Notable recent projects include NHKS4220 at New York’s Artechouse, *Thoughts of a Colored Man* (Broadway, Drama Desk nomination), *Parade* (Broadway, Outer Critics Circle nomination and winner of Best Revival of a Musical), and *Once Upon a One More Time* (Broadway), as well as the multimedia installation *Lamentations at Liesbeck*, which premiered at Mesa’s Mix Center.   Sven always seeks innovative ways to tell stories through media and create cohesive visual environments that fully engage live audiences.   He has worked at public research universities for the past ten years, focusing on educating the next generation of designers, artists, and thought leaders. His work in academia focuses on adapting effective creative processes prevalent in the performing arts, particularly projection design, to address the design challenges found in other live experiences, especially in emerging forms of rich media like immersive and XR productions. This research is central to his role as a professor of practice in immersive and entertainment design at Arizona State University and as a faculty member at Mesa's innovative multidisciplinary Mix Center.   Outside of his professional work, Sven is a passionate landscaper dedicated to restoring and stewarding the land. He also loves camping, running, hiking, and mountain biking—more info at svenortel.com or linked-in.   Instagram Handles @svenortel @ethansteimel @nicolevsteimel

Discussing designer pay and transparency with Broadway, Off-Broadway, and West End lighting designer Isabella Byrd.    Topics: ⭐️ Dealing with the IRS ⭐️ Union pension, healthcare, and the union ledger ⭐️ Commercial theatre fees (aka Broadway) versus off-Broadway fees (aka non-profit theatre) ⭐️ CDs, as in Certificates of Deposit   Video Version https://youtu.be/HJ1wBWuLwKQ   Artistic Finance https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance   Isabella Byrd https://www.isabellabyrd.design/ https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/isabella-byrd-527907   Drift https://studiodrift.com/work/drifter/   The Shed https://www.theshed.org/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwvr--BhB5EiwAd5YbXqw-o1AZJ4K0bhxLrH613ZH2yPapTv6-Lw54hGG-7dZ_7bVzULR3pBoC8hkQAvD_BwE   Death Sex And Money - Podcast https://slate.com/podcasts/death-sex-money   Zenith American - USA 829 Benefits Hub https://www.zenith-american.com/   USA 829 https://www.usa829.org/Membership-Info/Benefit-Funds   CD Rates - Bask Bank https://www.baskbank.com/products/certificates-of-deposit   Entertainment Community Fund https://entertainmentcommunity.org/services-and-programs/financial-wellness-0   In 1: The Podcast - hosted by Cory Pattak https://in1podcast.com/   Instagram Handles @isabelllaa @ethansteimel @nicolevsteimel

Today is the 5th anniversary of Artistic Finance. A quick thank you to mark the occasion and announcing a non-AEA casting notice for NYC!

Broadway lighting designer Beverly Emmons discusses commercial theatre practices for designers.   Topics: ⭐️ Adding riders onto your contract ⭐️ Theatre Law which aims to protect investors’ money ⭐️ W2 and 1099 and how that impacts copyright for designers ⭐️ The history of the theatre design union - United Scenic Artists ⭐️ Those union contracts, what they protect, and how they’re helpful for expediting theatre negotiations because so many things are spelled out already, so there isn’t need for a lot of negotiation.   Video Version https://youtu.be/t8rVQO00IjE   Extended Interview https://www.patreon.com/posts/124372571   Artistic Finance https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance   Beverly Emmons https://performingartslegacy.org/emmonsbeverly/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverly-emmons-57339135/ https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/beverly-emmons-25645   The Lighting Archive https://thelightingarchive.org/   Don Holder Interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXHdU1JVmRE&t=34s   Ken Billington Interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuojA4i6y5c   Jules Fisher https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/jules-fisher-7001   Kermit Blumgarden - producer https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/kermit-bloomgarden-14214   Ted Mann - producer https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/theodore-mann-15532   Broadway Grosses https://www.broadwayleague.com/research/grosses-broadway-nyc/   Atlantic Theatre joins IATSE https://deadline.com/2025/03/atlantic-theater-iatse-1236348882/   Theatre Lighting in the Age of Gas https://archive.org/details/theatrelightingi0000rees/page/n9/mode/2up   Broadway Theatre Manager - Peter Bogyo https://bookshop.org/a/86693/9781621536246 https://bookshop.org/a/86693/9781621536253 (affiliate link)   USA 829 https://www.usa829.org/   Instagram Handles @bemmonsld12gmail @ethansteimel @nicolevsteimel

Alvin Hough Jr, who’s currently the associate music director of The Lion King on Broadway, talks about career finances and a few things about musical theatre musicians.   Topics: ⭐️ Dollar pizza ⭐️ Being a saver, not a spender ⭐️ Living off per diem while touring ⭐️ Rehearsal call versus a performance call ⭐️ Rates of pay for different numbers of instruments ⭐️ The differences between the piano and the keyboard ⭐️ Working a double, in musician speak, and what that means for your pay scale. ⭐️ The importance of family and Alvin investing early on, on the advice from an aunt   Video Version https://youtu.be/J9Gjb5o_h7E   Artistic Finance https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance   Alvin Hough Jr www.alvinhoughjr.com https://www.instagram.com/alvinhoughpiano/ https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/alvin-hough-493607#broadway   Believe NYC https://believe-nyc.com/   Arts for Autism https://www.artsforautism.net/   Randy Cohen - Keyboard Programmer https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/randy-cohen-454486   NYMF https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Musical_Theatre_Festival   The Lion King on Broadway https://lionking.com/   Avioms - In Ear Mixing https://www.aviom.com/AviomProducts/   ALVIN HOUGH, JR. Alvin is a pianist, conductor and arranger in New York City. He is currently the Associate Music Director of Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway and was the Associate Music Supervisor of Merrily We Roll Along, featuring Daniel Radcliffe, which closed this past July aEer winning the Tony for Best Revival. Alvin is the Music Supervisor of the current 2nd NaHonal Tour of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, and he has also worked on numerous films and TV series, from “Schmigadoon 2” and “Spirited” to “Annie Live!” and the South Park 25th anniversary commercials. Classically trained by a private teacher from the age of 5, Alvin has had the privilege of performing at the Kennedy Center, the Capitol and the White House while growing up in Washington, DC. One of the more important things Alvin likes to share is that there is no special formula to end up on Broadway. As proof, even though he's currently not using them, Alvin has a Bachelor’s from Harvard College in Earth and Planetary Sciences and a Master’s in Meteorology from the Georgia InsHtute of Technology. He sends love to his wife, Rebecca, and their two young children, Samuel (7) and Camille (6). www.alvinhoughjr.com   Instagram Handles @alvinhoughpiano @ethansteimel @nicolevsteimel

Technical director Tab Birt discusses his journey through live entertainment, financial lessons learned along the way, and his dream of trading the stage for a glass artist’s studio in Norway.   Topics ⭐️ Glass blowing ⭐️ Not selling yourself short ⭐️ Getting on a stagehands union call list ⭐️ Burning out, being cynical, and the joy of theatre ⭐️ The secret investment vehicle called a ROTH IRA   Video Version https://youtu.be/Kh9TP0Gls0s   Artistic Finance https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance   Tab Birt https://www.tbirtdesign.com/ https://www.instagram.com/tbirtdesign/   Saints Peter & Paul - Homeless Shelter https://www.stspeterandpaulstl.org/homeless-shelter   Third Degree Glass Factory https://www.thirddegreeglassfactory.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoonESXmz4AvOFvGWqiziSPkJy_kBTC66ol4q9J4rvcuYxhm7cfN   Here’s What I Don’t Get https://hereswhatidontget.com/podcast   Bullsh*t Jobs - David Graeber https://bookshop.org/a/86693/9781501143335   Debt: The First 5,000 Years - David Graeber https://bookshop.org/a/86693/9781612194196   David Graeber Lecture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kikzjTfos0s   ROTH IRA https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/rothira.asp   Design Action - Minimum Rate Calculator https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KpsHWVKvc0FYfDftayTh1Dh2befS-oPM6_rwQ6waoVk/edit?gid=691329339#gid=691329339   The Lighting Archive https://thelightingarchive.org/     Tab Birt hails from the Land of Praying Hands, Tulsa Oklahoma. He received his BFA in Lighting and Sound Design from the University of Oklahoma, and currently resides in in St Louis as the Technical Director for Edison Theatre. He’s worked in live entertainment for 17 years around the country, and when not in production you can find him in the hot shop pursuing his interest in glass, or at home sipping a fine whiskey, grilling steaks, or smoking a rich cigar. He dreams of one day retiring from theatre and becoming a glass artist in Norway.   Instagram Handles @tbirtdesign @thirddegreeglass @ethansteimel @nicolevsteimel  

Today’s show is an “ordinary and necessary” episode in which we learn about prepping and filing taxes for freelancer 1099 income.   Topics: ⭐️ Documentation matters! ⭐️ Personal expenses versus business expenses ⭐️ Tracking your expenses as you go ⭐️ Missing expenses are the number one way to pay more in taxes.   Video Version https://youtu.be/EJBHsud0Iis   Artistic Finance https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance   Aja M Jackson https://www.ajajacksonlighting.com/ https://www.instagram.com/ajamjackson/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/aja-m-jackson   Farrell Parker https://www.artisttaxprep.com/ https://www.instagram.com/artisttaxprep/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/farrell-parker-7a0aa3119/   Jared R Rogers, CPA https://www.wilsonrogers.net/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredrrogerscpa/ https://www.instagram.com/wilsonrogersco/?hl=en   Artist Tax Prep Freelancer Spreadsheet https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kDb48wLKWWnkGigyu52tYYGWRHDV2h-Ai7AizNCrtb8/edit?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZh7dkkg9Htl1oE4M46Emo-Cw8yEahk7n90sRBCDy5R32W5D1xbTHSjvYI_aem_adKVVnGYaIN_xPS6bS21wQ&gid=343072668#gid=343072668   IRS Website https://www.irs.gov/   Social Security Website https://www.ssa.gov/   Accountants for Creatives https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YG1sgP4LqJa6Rk5CBdnvlQ2ByEvzFNKSS6uI61QkMlY/edit?usp=sharing     AJA M JACKSON is an interdisciplinary Lighting Designer with a focus on the stage. Some credits include Off-Broadway: A Commercial Jingle for Regina Comet, and Rock and Roll Man. Broadway: Fat Ham (associate). Regional (selected): Hear Word (American Repertory Theatre / The Public Theater Under the Radar Festival).  Lost In Yonkers, The Art of Burning, Pride and Prejudice, Simona’s Search (Hartford Stage). The Art of Burning, The Band's Visit (Huntington Theatre Company); Associate: Goddess (Berkeley Rep). Assistant: Real Women Have Curves and Queen Of Versailles.  Dance: Hubbard Street Dance, Modern Connections; Resident Lighting Designer for movement company, HoldTight. Awards: OEAA Outstanding Lighting Design - Kinky Boots (2022). Teaching: Boston University, National Theatre Institute. Proud member of USA 829. www.ajajacksonlighting.com | IG: @ajamjackson Farrell Parker is a DC-based performing artist and owner of Artist Tax Prep - an income tax preparation firm (by artists, for artists) founded in 2018, now serving hundreds of clients nationwide. A proud New Jersey native, Farrell holds a BS in Business Administration from Boston University, a graduate certificate in Digital Media from American University, and an MFA in Classical Acting from the Shakespeare Theatre Company Academy at George Washington University. As a performer, she has been seen at the Kennedy Center, Arena Stage, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Co, Olney Theatre, the Huntington Theatre, and on stage with The Second City - among others. Over the course of her career, Farrell has originated roles in 12 world premiere productions and produced a plethora of live comedy and musical events. Her voice and likeness can be heard and seen in a bunch of commercials and she is a 2025 DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Fellowship grantee.      Jared R. Rogers is an Illinois-licensed Certified Public Accountant and CEO of the Chicago-based financial services firm Wilson Rogers & Company. Prior to his current role, he spent 13 years in the finance function of several major companies including Hyatt Hotels, PepsiCo, Robert Bosch and KPMG LLP. In addition to the above, Jared is also the published author of three books:  The Real Estate Brokers Little Black Tax Book (CreateSpace Independent Publishing 2020) How to Slash Your Taxes Legally & Ethically (CreateSpace Independent Publishing 2018) Pathways to Wealth - A Common Sense Guide to Personal Money Management & Lifestyle Techniques (Authorhouse 2003) In his role at Wilson Rogers & Company, Jared is responsible for advising clients on matters including income taxes, tax debt resolution and personal financial planning. Through his business dealings over the years, he has reviewed thousands of personal and business income tax returns to ensure not only their accuracy, but that the taxpayer is paying the minimal amount of tax that they are legally obligated to. Philanthropically, Jared has served as Financial Secretary and Treasurer for the IDeaL Education Foundation. He also has previously volunteered as a tax preparer for the IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA), which offers free tax help to low-to moderate-income people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Over the years, Jared has blogged about numerous tax matters, many of which can be found at www.wilsonrogers.net.   Instagram Handles @ajamjackson @artisttaxprep @wilsonrogersco @unitedscenicartists @ethansteimel @nicolevsteimel

A guide of financial resources, and where to find them, for freelancers working in theatre or other facets of the entertainment industry.   ⭐️ Unions ⭐️ Job boards ⭐️ Scholarships ⭐️ Financial Planning ⭐️ Taxes / Accountants ⭐️ Financial Communities ⭐️ Educational Worksheets & Supplements ⭐️ Community Resources - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion ⭐️ Episodes of Artistic Finance - separated out by career focuses   Video Version: https://youtu.be/lOlmkn7Obi4   Artistic Finance Website - click on "resources +" https://www.artisticfinance.com/   Dads - Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7clwrlPI64U  

A panel of live event lighting and media professionals having a Q&A about career finances.   ⭐️ Theatre Lighting Designer Christina Watanabe ⭐️ TV Lighting Designer Mike Grabowski ⭐️  Media Designer Zak Borovay ⭐️ TV Gaffer Seán Linehan   Topics: ⭐️ Taxes ⭐️ Agents ⭐️ Contracts ⭐️ USA 829 / LORT Contracts   Youtube Version https://youtu.be/ojmSqEkGqi8   Artistic Finance https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance   LDI https://www.ldishow.com/   Christina Watanabe https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-watanabe/ http://www.starryeyedlighting.com/   Mike Grabowski https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikegrabowski/ https://www.mtgdesigns.net/   Sean Linehan https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanlights/   Zak Borovay https://www.linkedin.com/in/borovayz/ https://borovaydesign.com/   USA 829 Design Membership Candidate - LORT Program https://www.usa829.org/Portals/0/Document%20Library/LORT/2024%20Docs/Final%20Docs/USA%20829%20DMC%20Program%20for%20LORT%20Theatres%208-21-2024.pdf?ver=9uPaXqxM9aNe1IYejocFfg%3d%3d   USA 829 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Page https://www.usa829.org/Contracts/Collective-Bargaining-Agreements-CBAs-Public-View/Theatre-Opera-Dance   Accountants for Creatives https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YG1sgP4LqJa6Rk5CBdnvlQ2ByEvzFNKSS6uI61QkMlY/edit?usp=sharing   IRS Website https://www.irs.gov/   Social Security Website https://www.ssa.gov/   Frank Zappa Autobiography - (affiliate link) https://bookshop.org/a/86693/9780671705725   Luna Lux https://lunalux.us/   The Lighting Design Group https://ldg.com/   Instagram Handles @ldg_lightingdesigngroup  @starryeyedlighting  @ldg.entertainment  @front_projection  @wandering_lush @ethansteimel @mtgdesigns  @lunaluxllc @ldishow   

An interview with television lighting designer Josh Hutchings about how intimate and taboo it is to discuss finances.   Topics: ⭐️ Compound interest ⭐️ Not having a financial plan ⭐️ Investing early and consistently ⭐️ It’s an industry based on relationships ⭐️ How intimate and taboo discussing finances is ⭐️ Making a financial life plan with the help of professionals   Video Version https://youtu.be/6hFYG8HHQ0Y   Artistic Finance https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance   Illumination Advocates https://www.illuminationadvocates.com/ https://www.instagram.com/illumination_advocates/   Joshua Hutchings https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-hutchings-55439a38/   LDI https://www.ldishow.com/   Oscar Dominguez - Lighting Designer https://dfld.com/the-team/oscar-dominguez/   IATSE 600 https://www.icg600.com/   IATSE 728 https://www.iatse728.org/   IATSE 33 https://www.ia33.org/   Radford Studios Stagehand Death https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/marvel-crew-member-dies-wonder-man-1235899835/   Midnight Mission https://www.midnightmission.org/   Travis McHale & Compound Interested https://www.youtube.xn--5ca/watch?v=7psS_ebQEyc   Compound Interest with Paddy Hirsch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmhmR_tn-Qo   Bill Klages Remembered on Light Talk https://lighttalk.libsyn.com/light-talk-episode-380-ocean-views-our-tribute-to-bill-klages   Instagram Handles @illumination_advocates @nicolevsteimel @ethansteimel @live.design @ldishow   Interview by Ethan Steimel