Artistic Finance

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...

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!

Lighting designer Beverly Emmons discusses a range of topics around commercial theatre practices. 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 TBD 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 TBD 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: 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,...

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

A discussion of various financial independence topics for people working in the creative industry. Topics: ⭐️ Improving Financial IQ ⭐️ The “starving artist” narrative ⭐️ Empowering confidence in personal financial decisions A live episode recorded at LDI in collaboration with Amy D Lux / Lobolux Design's Financial Independence Club. Video Version https://youtu.be/Nqo4Z7UREKE Artistic Finance https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance Kinetic Lighting https://kineticlighting.com/ LDI https://www.ldishow.com/ How to Set Up an HSA https://www.healthcare.gov/high-deductible-health-plan/setting-up-hsa/ What Is An IRA? https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/what-is-an-ira Rocket Money https://www.rocketmoney.com/ Rich Dad, Poor Dad https://bookshop.org/p/books/rich-dad-poor-dad-what-the-rich-teach-their-kids-about-money-that-the-poor-and-middle-class-do-not-robert-t-kiyosaki/17533307?aid=86693&ean=9781612681139&listref=artistic-finance-books (my affiliate link) IATSE 728 https://www.iatse728.org/ Gusto https://gusto.com/ Intuit https://www.intuit.com/ Matt Mills https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-mills-0556026/ https://www.lightingprogrammer.com/about https://www.instagram.com/mattmills407/ Matt Guminski https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-guminski-bba32816/ https://www.mglightingdesign.com/portfolio https://www.instagram.com/mattygld/ Erica D Hayes https://www.ericadhayes.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericadhayes/ https://www.instagram.com/ericadhayes/ Amy D Lux: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-d-lux-953a7318a/ https://utopiadreamscape.com/author/luvlogica/ Instagram Handles @ericadhayes @mattmills407 @mattygld @lobolux @nicolevsteimel @ethansteimel @live.design @ldishow Hosted by Ethan Steimel

Learn about the process of designing and producing live shows for music artists with our Los Angeles based guests: lighting designer and programmer, Erica D Hayes and COO and Show Director at Wasted Potential, Zach Berget. Topics: ⭐️Balancing the creative vision of an artist with the logistical realities of large-scale budgets. ⭐️ The workflow behind developing these narratives and visual elements. Video Version TBDhttps://youtu.be/H2sMFfOzyB4 Artistic Finance https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance Wasted Potential https://www.wastedpotential.net/ Human Persons https://humanperson.com/ Kinetic Lighting https://kineticlighting.com/ Grand MA Lighting Consoles https://www.malighting.com/ Hog Lighting Consoles https://www.etcconnect.com/Products/Consoles/Hog-4-Consoles/ Avolite Lighting Consoles http://www.avolites.us/ ACT Entertainment https://actentertainment.com/ LDI https://www.ldishow.com/ Erica D Hayes https://www.ericadhayes.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericadhayes/ https://www.instagram.com/ericadhayes/ Zach Berget https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-berget-201836164/ https://www.instagram.com/zachconcepts/ Ebony Madry https://www.instagram.com/ebmadry/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebony-madry-6a9651139/ Instagram Handles @ericadhayes @zachconcepts @wastedpotential @nicolevsteimel @ethansteimel @live.design @ldishow Hosted by Ethan Steimel

Theatre director Oliver Butler discusses the state of pay for theatre directors. Topics: ⭐️ Director Fees at Non-Profit Theatres in NYC ⭐️ Giving credit to the non profits that pay above the SDC minimum. ⭐️ Actionable steps to address the issue both for individuals and institutions. ⭐️ Discussing theatre pay honestly and in public so we don’t uphold the myth that it’s livable. Video Version https://youtu.be/8uT8SPDBXnk Artistic Finance https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance Oliver Butler Instagram Videos https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cw0mLWmvy4L/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxJR1gjPRHz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxpibFWO0Pe/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Oliver Butler https://www.instagram.com/oliverbutler/ A Knock of the Roof: https://www.nytw.org/show/a-knock-on-the-roof/ https://royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/a-knock-on-the-roof/ WEER by Natalie Palamides https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WEER_(play) GuideStar https://www.guidestar.org/ The Public Theatre https://publictheater.org/ Oscar Eustis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oskar_Eustis Manhattan Theatre Club https://www.manhattantheatreclub.com/ SoHo Rep https://www.sohorep.org/ https://sohorep.org/staff-board/ Playwrights Horizons https://www.playwrightshorizons.org/ New York Theatre Workshop https://www.nytw.org/ Non Profit Theatre Budgets - 33% of Income From Ticket Sales https://thenonprofittimes.com/npt_articles/nonprofit-theatres-rebounding-but-expenses-skyrocketing/ Theatre Communications Group (TCG) Budget Reports https://tcg.org/Web/Our-Work/Research/Theatre-Facts.aspx Oliver Butler (he/him) is a theatre director who grew up in New England and is now based in The Rockaways in Queens. He directed the critically-acclaimed Broadway premiere of Heidi Schreck’s What the Constitution Means to Me (Best Play Tony Award Nomination, Obie Award Winner, Lucille Lortel Award Nomination, Drama League Award Nomination, Outer Critics Circle Award Nomination; and Drama Desk Award Nomination; Finalist for the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Drama), a film version of which is now streaming on Amazon Prime. He is directing the off-Broadway premiere of A Knock on the Roof by Khawla Ibraheem at New York Theatre workshop, which just returned from a sold-out premiere at The Edinburgh Fringe where they won 5 major awards including a Fringe First from The Scotsman. He directed the off-Broadway premiere of A Bright New Boise by Sam Hunter at Signature Theatre Company. Other recent credits include: the World Premiere of Tornado Tastes Like Aluminum Sting by Harmon Dot Aut, the World Premiere of Hester Street in Washington D.C., the NYC premiere of Will Eno’s GNIT at Theatre for a New Audience, the world premiere of Will Eno’s The Plot at Yale Repertory Theatre; the world premiere of Jordan Harrison’s The Amateurs at The Vineyard; the West Coast Premiere of Will Eno's Thom Pain (based on nothing) starring Rainn Wilson at The Geffen Playhouse; and the triumphant return of Thom Pain (based on nothing) to New York starring Michael C. Hall at the Signature Theatre Company. Additional career highlights include: Itamar Moses’s The Whistleblower at Denver Center, Christopher Shinn's An Opening in Time at Hartford Stage, Daniel Goldfarb's Legacy at Williamstown Theatre Festival, the world premiere of Timeshare by Lally Katz at The Malthouse in Melbourne, and the world premiere of Will Eno’s The Open House (OBIE Award for Direction; Lortel Award, Best Play) at the Signature Theatre Company. He is a co-founder and co-artistic director of The Debate Society with whom he has directed 10 premieres in 15 years including The Light Years (Playwrights Horizons), Jacuzzi (Ars Nova), and Blood Play (Bushwick Starr). He is a Sundance Institute Fellow and a Bill Foeller Fellow (Williamstown). He's a long-distance hiker who...

Theatre designers and their agents come together for an in-depth discussion on navigating agent-designer relationships, contract negotiations, and strategies for fair compensation in the theatre industry. Topics: ⭐️ Preparing for contract negotiations ⭐️ Challenges and solutions when negotiating ⭐️ Meeting and building relationships with agents ⭐️ Advice for early, mid-career, and high-profile designers Youtube Version https://youtu.be/y8rnJ1BPO8E Patreon Version - with PDF Class Supplement https://www.patreon.com/posts/176-pay-for-118020495 Daniela Hart - Sound Designer https://www.uptownworksnyc.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniela-hart-ab066234 Jack Lavey - CPK Artists https://www.jacklavey.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-lavey Jason Lynch - Lighting Designer https://www.jasondlynch.com/ Skyler Gray - Gersh Agency https://www.linkedin.com/in/skyler-gray-30a9a545 Johanna Pan - Scenic & Costume Designer https://johannapan.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanna-pan-42385533 Lucy Powis - Michael Moore Agency https://www.lucypowis.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-powis Cookie Jordan - Hair & Wig Designer https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/cookie-jordan-485223 Russ Rosensweig - Summit Entertainment Group https://www.summitentertainmentgroup.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-rosensweig-8886b63 Instagram Handles @danielavhart @jacklavey CPK Artists @jasonlynch.design Skyler Gray @thegershagency @jpandesign @lucytp7 @michaelmooreagency @cookiewigger @russrosensweig @summitentertainmentgroup @unitedscenicartists @ethansteimel @nicolevsteimel

Lighting designer Travis McHale talks business and finance as a theatre designer. Topics: ⭐️ Self filing taxes ⭐️ Negotiating rates ⭐️ Reasons to be investing ⭐️ Paying off mortgages early ⭐️ The magic of compound interest ⭐️ Stress and negativity of credit card debt Patreon Resource Version https://www.patreon.com/posts/175-creative-are-117433546?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Video Version https://youtu.be/7psS_ebQEyc Artistic Finance https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance Travis McHale https://www.travismchale.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/travismchale/ https://www.instagram.com/captainmchale/?hl=en Excel 1040 https://sites.google.com/view/incometaxspreadsheet/home GSA Per Diem https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates Craig Stelzenmuller https://craigstelzenmuller.com/ David Lander https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/david-lander-482552 Hunter Foster https://www.hunterfosterofficial.com/ Linda Essig Book on Entrepreneurship in the Arts https://bookshop.org/a/86693/9781789385717 (that's my affiliate link) TIAA https://www.tiaa.org/public/tcm/myretirement/investment-performance Fidelity https://www.fidelity.com/ Travis McHale is a New York based lighting designer. Recent NYC: Is There Still Sex In The City (Daryl Roth), Get Happy: A Judy Garland Centennial Celebration starring Jessica Vosk (Carnegie), #DateMe: An OK Cupid Experiment (Westside), Mister Miss America (Rattlestick). Travis works extensively in regional theatre, has been associate designer on 11 Broadway shows, and 7 seasons designing runway shows for NY Fashion Week (IMCD). He also designs for Norwegian, Carnival, Regent, and Oceania cruise lines. Design faculty: SUNY New Paltz. Member: United Scenic Artists Local USA 829. Instagram Handles @captainmchale @nicolevsteimel @ethansteimel Interview by Ethan Steimel