Artistic Finance
Artistic Finance provides theatre makers with honest, no-pretension insights into managing money in the entertainment industry. Hosted by lighting designer Ethan Steimel, this podcast delves into the personal finance challenges and business realities of show business, offering candid advice and practical tools tailored to creatives working behind the scenes. https://www.artisticfinance.com/
Episodes

Wednesday Mar 12, 2025
Wednesday Mar 12, 2025
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

Tuesday Mar 04, 2025
Tuesday Mar 04, 2025
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

Wednesday Feb 26, 2025
Wednesday Feb 26, 2025
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

Wednesday Feb 12, 2025
Wednesday Feb 12, 2025
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

Friday Jan 31, 2025
Friday Jan 31, 2025
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

Monday Jan 20, 2025
Monday Jan 20, 2025
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

Monday Jan 13, 2025
Monday Jan 13, 2025
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

Sunday Dec 29, 2024
Sunday Dec 29, 2024
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

Monday Dec 23, 2024
Monday Dec 23, 2024
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 recently covered 500 miles on the Appalachian Trail and adventured near the Arctic circle in Hornstrandir Nature Reserve known as "The Iceland of Iceland."
Instagram Handles
@oliverbutler
@sdc_union
@nicolevsteimel
@ethansteimel
Interview by Ethan Steimel

Monday Dec 16, 2024
Monday Dec 16, 2024
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
Artistic Finance
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
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@jacklaveyCPK Artists@jasonlynch.designSkyler Gray@thegershagency@jpandesign@lucytp7@michaelmooreagency@cookiewigger
@russrosensweig@summitentertainmentgroup@unitedscenicartists@ethansteimel@nicolevsteimel