Artistic Finance

183: How To File Taxes As A Freelance Artist

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

182: Freelancer Finances | Essential Resources for Theatre Workers

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
 

181: Career Finances in Entertainment - LIVE @ LDI

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 
 

180: No One Talks About Finances In The Entertainment Industry with Josh Hutchings - Lighting Designer - LIVE at LDI

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

179: Financial Independence for Creatives - LIVE at LDI

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

178: The Art of Tailoring A Show - LIVE at LDI with Erica D Hayes and Zach Berget

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

177: Living & Thriving Wage for Theatre Directors with Oliver Butler - Theatre Director

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
 

176: Pay Negotiation for Agents & Designers

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
 

175: Creative Careers Are Business Too with Travis McHale - Lighting Designer (updated)

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

174: Business in Design with Don Holder - Lighting Designer

A conversation with lighting designer Don Holder.  
 
Topics:
⭐️ Advice for young designers
⭐️ Managing finances as a freelancer
⭐️ Advantages of filing taxes as a C Corp
 
Video Version
https://youtu.be/YXHdU1JVmRE
 
Artistic Finance
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
Don Holder
https://www.donaldholderlighting.com/welcome/portfolio/index.html
https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/donald-holder-25700
 
The Lion King
https://lionking.com/
 
Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider-Man:_Turn_Off_the_Dark
 
Eastern Standard - Don's first Broadway design
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Standard
 
Imero Fiorentino
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imero_Fiorentino
 
Bill Klages - TV Lighting Designer
https://www.livedesignonline.com/news/memoriam-bill-klages
 
Randy Nordstrom
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0635210/
 
Frank Brault
https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankbrault
 
George Tsypin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Tsypin
 
Jennifer Tipton
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Tipton
 
LDI - Free registration with promo code ARTISTICFINANCE
https://www.ldishow.com/
 
LDI AF Recording - The Art of Tailoring A Show
https://sched.co/1odhj
 
LDI AF Recording - Financial Independence for Creatives
https://sched.co/1hUTn
 
Sylie Scowcroft
https://www.financialgrove.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sylvie-scowcroft-55670361/
 
Madelline Song In Two Languages at Once
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GoEuuMEkng
 
Donald Holder has worked extensively in Theatre, Opera, Dance, Architectural and Television lighting in the US and abroad for over 30 years.  He has designed 60 Broadway productions and has been nominated for fourteen Tony awards, winning the Tony for Best Lighting Design for 'The Lion King' in 1998, and for the 2008 revival of 'South Pacific'.  Recent Broadway productions include: 'The Pirates of Penzance' (Spring 2025), 'Tootsie', 'Kiss Me Kate', 'McNeal', 'Anastasia', 'My Fair Lady', 'Oslo', 'Straight White Men', 'She Loves Me',  'Fiddler On The Roof', 'The King and I', 'On The Twentieth Century'  and many others.  Projects at the NY Metropolitan Opera include: 'Champion', 'Rigoletto', 'Porgy and Bess', 'Samson et Delilah', 'Otello', 'The Magic Flute' and the premiere of 'Two Boys'.  He has worked at most of the nation's leading resident theatres, and has designed over 100 Off-Broadway productions.  His television/film work includes the theatrical lighting for 'Spirited' (Apple Studios), seasons one and two of 'Smash' (NBC-Dreamworks), 'Oceans 8' (Warner Brothers Pictures), 'Gossip Girl' (HBO Max), and 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' (Amazon).
Recent International projects include the 2024 London West End revival of 'Kiss Me Kate' (Barbican), and 'The Great Qin' (Xian, China).
 
Mr. Holder's architectural lighting projects include the refurbishment (conversion to all LED light) at St Agnes Cathedral, Rockville Centre, NY, Bond 45 and Patio at the Edison Hotel, Dance Theatre Workshop- West 19th St. NYC, Sony Plaza's Public Spaces and the Sony Wonder Technology Lab, AT and T's Interactive Communications Gallery in Bedminster, NJ, The America's Smithsonian Exhibition (touring 12 cities across the United States), and several restaurants in midtown Manhattan, including the Redeye Grill and The Brooklyn Diner .
 
Holder was Head of the lighting design program at CalArts from 2006-2010, then led the lighting program at Rutgers University- Mason Gross School of the Arts 2016-2025, before transferring as Head of Lighting Design at The Yale School of Drama starting 2025. He is a graduate of the University of Maine and the Yale School of Drama, and the recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Arts Degree from Muhlenberg College.
 
Instagram Handles
@donaldholder12
@nicolevsteimel
@ethansteimel
 
Interview by Ethan Steimel