Artistic Finance

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

173: Trade Shows to Job Offers with Amanda Gougelmann - Bonus Episode

An interview with Amanda Gougelmann, part of the Software Support Team for ACT Entertainment and freelance stagehand. 
 
Topics:
⭐️ Networking for advice
⭐️ Finding the market rate for a job
⭐️ Invest in yourself and your future
⭐️ Having multiple jobs to smooth over slow times
⭐️ Getting a job by starting a relationship at a trade show
⭐️ Donating and raising money for causes while still paying the bills
 
Video Version
https://youtu.be/oZ59YbvGNLI
 
Artistic Finance
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
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
 
Amanda Gougelmann
https://www.instagram.com/gougelmann.productions/
 
ACT Entertainment
https://actentertainment.com/
 
Ellen Lampert-Gréaux
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-lampert-gr%C3%A9aux-2abb351b/
 
Amanda Gougelmann is a part of the Software Support T eam at ACT Entertainment and is the owner of Gougelmann Productions. While Amanda is currently based out of San Diego, CA, she does make the 5 day commute to Burbank! Amanda graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Design and T echnology. After being introduced to the Entertainment Industry through concerts and theatre, Amanda has continued to pursue her interest in lightning throughout her time in college and post college with ACT and freelance work. Instagram: @gougelmann.productions
 
 
Instagram Handles
@gougelmann.productions
@nicolevsteimel
@ethansteimel
@live.design
@ldishow
 
Hosted by Ellen Lampert-Gréaux and Ethan Steimel

173: You Are Not Marketing To Your Friends with Ulrike Storch - Collaboration with StageLync

An interview with Ulrike Storch: a business coach for circus performers.
Topics:
⭐️ Whether or not to work for free
⭐️ Marketing and social media curating 
⭐️ A frank look at rates and negotiations
⭐️ Authenticity in professional communication
 
Video Version
https://youtu.be/EGFtaB6ii1c
 
Artistic Finance
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
Stagelync Episode
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAF-8SJHUCk&t=6s&ab_channel=StageLync
 
Ulrike Storch
https://linktr.ee/sellingcircus
https://www.ulrikestorch.com/
https://www.instagram.com/ulrikestorch/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ulrike-storch-53b0bb207/?originalSubdomain=uk
 
 
StageLync
https://stagelync.com/
https://stagelync.com/news/sl/podcast
 
Anna Robb
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-robb/
 
Instagram Handles
@ulrikestorch
@stagelync
@anna_lorreine_robb
@ethansteimel
@nicolevsteimel
 
Interview by Anna Robb
 
 

172: Afford Versus Stored with Alex Pendleton - Bonus Episode

Alex Pendleton, manager of Netgear’s ProAV Systems Engineering department sits down with Ellen and Ethan to talk personal finances. 
 
Topics:
⭐️ Paying yourself first
⭐️ Investing as much as possible
⭐️ Long term investing apart from news cycles
 
Video Version
https://youtu.be/KiZcsADzSqE
 
Artistic Finance
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
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
 
Alex Pendleton
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-pendleton-0029b422/
www.netgear.com
 
Can I afford it?
https://thefinancialdiet.com/step-step-guide-tell-can-truly-afford-something/
 
Ellen Lampert-Gréaux
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-lampert-gr%C3%A9aux-2abb351b/
 
Alex Pendleton is a Manager for ProAV Systems Engineering supporting the interoperability between NETGEAR hardware and various Pro AV products. Alex is a member of the Pro AV Engineering Services team providing training, network topology design, and support.  He’s been with NETGEAR for over 9 years.
 
Instagram Handles
@nicolevsteimel
@ethansteimel
@live.design
@ldishow
@netgear
 
Hosted by Ellen Lampert-Gréaux and Ethan Steimel

172: Women In Lighting with Sharon Stammers, Martin Lupton, and Amy D Lux

On today’s show we go across the pond to the UK. We meet the co-founders of Women in Lighting. It's a project by Light Collective run by our guests Sharon Stammers and Martin Lupton. Amy D Lux guest hosts this interview.
 
Topics:
⭐️ Balancing Money Goals & Lifestyle Goals
⭐️ Starting your own company and following your passions
⭐️ Building a global project that connects 78 countries, and counting
 
Video Version
https://youtu.be/9KcEKBeA3lw
 
Artistic Finance
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
Women In Lighting
https://womeninlighting.com/
 
Light Collective
https://lightcollective.net/
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13668807/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/light-collective-uk/
 
Sharon Stammers
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-stammers-7266abb/
 
Martin Lupton
https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-lupton/
 
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
 
Light Installations by Christopher Bauder
https://www.christopherbauder.com/
 
Forma Lighting
https://www.formalighting.com/
 
Ayrton
https://www.ayrton.eu/
 
Amy D Lux:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-d-lux-953a7318a/
https://utopiadreamscape.com/author/luvlogica/
 
Light Collective is not a standard lighting consultancy… in fact, we really struggle to categorize ourselves given that our body of light based work is so diverse.
 
Our creative portfolio of work houses more than architectural lighting design and has grown to encompass many innovative projects which include light art installations, marketing projects, competitions, curated exhibitions, lighting awards, branding, trade stands and shows, epic parties, pop up events, guerrilla lighting, community projects and light education.
 
Our clients have ranged from the small scale to the large: designing for a school in Glasgow to a shopping mall in Kuwait, lighting an exhibition at the Museum of London to inventing an app for Phillips… We are based in the UK but have worked all over the world; creating light in the snow in Finland or in the heat of Kenya…
 
All of our work has light at the heart of it and always looks to promote light, lighting design and lighting designers to as wide an audience as possible. Both of us have also previously been active in lighting associations that are dedicated to promoting lighting design globally. We continue this ethos independently in our work.
 
One of our other passions is documenting light. Everywhere we go, we like to film light. Light projects, light art, light events, light products and light people. You can find all our films on Light Collective TV.
 
We are only two people. Martin Lupton and Sharon Stammers. Martin has a PhD in Lighting and Sharon has an MSc. We have both worked in the lighting industry for over 20 years and started Light Collective in 2009.
Martin began in environmental engineering and then moved on to Directorial roles at both Pinniger and Partners and BDP and has worked on many high profile architectural projects prior to co-founding Light Collective. This includes the Cutty Sark, Liverpool One, Westfield, the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Kelvingrove Museum and many more.
 
Sharon started her career in stage lighting working in London before becoming an Associate Director at both Lighting Design Partnership and Lightmatters. Her previous projects include Heron Quays station, Al Azhar Park, Somerset House and the fountains within the Great Court, the Prince of Wales Theatre, the Coliseum Theatre and the Ashmolean Museum.
 
We are active fans of self commissioning and when we have an idea, we will do what we can to make it happen ourselves.
 
We are always open to any light based challenge you can give us.
 
Instagram Handles
@womeninlighting
@lightcollective
@sharonstammers
@lobolux
@ethansteimel
@nicolevsteimel
 
Interview by Amy D Lux

171: Union Strong & Console Agnostic with Erica D Hayes - Bonus Episode

Ellen and Ethan interview Los Angeles based lighting designer, programmer, and video director Erica D Hayes.
 
Topics:
⭐️ Following the money
⭐️ A high school internship leading to a career path
⭐️ Contracts are only as good as the people they’re made with
⭐️ Speed of payments as a contractor with Net 30, Net 45, and Net 60 
⭐️ Joining IATSE 728, The Union Dedicated to Motion Picture Set Lighting
 
Video Version
https://youtu.be/WBo6MsgPxoU
 
Artistic Finance
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
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
 
Erica D Hayes
https://www.ericadhayes.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericadhayes/
https://www.instagram.com/ericadhayes/
 
IATSE 728
https://www.iatse728.org/
 
Artistic Finance Resource List
https://www.patreon.com/posts/resource-list-114287278?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
 
KEM
https://www.musicbykem.com/
 
Ledisi
https://www.ledisi.com/
 
The Isley Brothers
https://officialisleybrothers.com/
 
The Pearl Theater
https://www.palms.com/entertainment/pearl-theater
 
Teri Garr
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teri_Garr
 
Ellen Lampert-Gréaux
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-lampert-gr%C3%A9aux-2abb351b/
 
Erica D. Hayes discovered her gift for lighting the same way she found her love for directing: through a love for music, and a penchant for building genuine relationships. The Detroit, Michigan native was on the road with R&B/soul singer KEM in 2007 as his video director, when she learned that one of his tour mates, future repeat Grammy nominee Ledisi, needed lighting for her own first headlining tour. She asked Ledisi for a shot. In the years since, Hayes has moved to Los Angeles, where she’s become a go-to lighting designer for both legacy acts like The Isley Brothers, Anita Baker, Fantasia, and Run DMC, and contemporary stars like SYD, Coi Leray, and H.E.R., who she toured with. She also designed R&B star Daniel Caesar’s Freudian Tour, and his performance on “The Late Night Show with James Corden.” Additionally, Erica has provided designs for rising stars Flo Millie, Lucky Daye, Amaarae, and FLO, further cementing her reputation as a versatile designer.
 
Once she established herself in the music industry, Hayes prepared to take her talents into television and film. After more than 15 years in the industry, she was initiated into the IATSE 728 union. She was pregnant with her second child, but she didn’t let that stop her: Hayes landed early opportunities as a lighting console programmer for HBO shows such as Made For Love and Westworld. Her work on those shows helped her earn additional gigs for the Nickelodeon sitcom That Girl Lay Lay, HBO’s hit Insecure, and ABC’s Call Me Kat, along with the feature film House Party produced by LeBron James’ Springhill Company.
 
These days, with both the music and film industries at her fingertips, Hayes can afford to be selective with her projects, but that doesn’t mean she’s slowed her pace. She has the phrase “work comes from work” tattooed on her wrist and continues to make moves steadily. Her dedicated approach has led her to work with a multigenerational swath of award-winning musicians, television shows, and feature films with many more ahead for the future.
 
Instagram Handles
@ericadhayes
@iatselocal728
@nicolevsteimel
@ethansteimel
@live.design
@ldishow
 
Hosted by Ellen Lampert-Gréaux and Ethan Steimel

171: Sober Shakespeare with Clara Kundin & Ella Fent

An interview with two of the union organizers who helped Drunk Shakespeare join the Actor’s Equity Association. Ella Fent from the Chicago production and Clara Kundin from the Phoenix company talk about the long day's journey into unionizing.
 
Topics:
⭐️ Reasons for unionizing
⭐️ Navigating the process of joining AEA
⭐️ The benefits  gained through union membership
⭐️ Advice for other theatre workers considering unionizing
 
Video Version
https://youtu.be/G5i2aXVQNPI
 
Artistic Finance
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
Drunk Shakespeare
https://www.drunkshakespeare.com/welcome
 
Drunk Shakespeare United
https://www.instagram.com/drunkshakesunited/
https://linktr.ee/drunkshakesunited
 
Clara Kundin
https://clarakundin.com/
https://www.instagram.com/clarakallday/?hl=en
 
Ella Fent
https://www.instagram.com/bi.banshee/?hl=en
 
LDI
https://www.ldishow.com/
Free pass with promo code ARTISTICFINANCE
 
Clara Kundin (she/her) is a theater-maker and educator. She holds an MFA in Theatre for Youth & Community with an emphasis in Directing from Arizona State University, a certificate in physical theater from the École Jacques Lecoq, and a BA in Theatre from St. Olaf College. She has performed nationally and internationally including Off-Broadway and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. Most recently, she performed in the original cast of the Phoenix branch of the Off-Broadway hit Drunk Shakespeare. She is now an Assistant Professor of Theatre at Eastern New Mexico University.
 
Ella Fent (she/her) is a union organizer and theater professional in Chicago. She is a volunteer organizer with the Emergency Workplace Organizing Committee (EWOC), and currently serves on Actors’ Equity Committee to Prevent Harassment and Hostile Work Environments. She has a special place in her heart for organizing workplaces around environmental issues, and recently spoke at the 2024 Labor Notes Conference on a panel called “Fight the Boss, Fix the Climate”. She has been a bartender at Drunk Shakespeare for 3 years, and has been part of Drunk Shakespeare United since day 1. 
 
Instagram Handles
@drunkshakesunited
@clarakallday
@bi.banshee
@actorsequity
@nicolevsteimel
@ethansteimel
 
Interview by Ethan Steimel

170: Balancing Light and Life with Kat Borderud - Bonus Episode

Lighting and visual production designer Kat Borderud sits down with Ellen and Ethan to talk about handling finances as a touring LD and programmer.
 
Topics:
⭐️ Needs versus wants
⭐️ The ebb and flow of rates
⭐️ Freelancers learning finances on the go
⭐️ Working prep in the rental shops that build tours
 
Video Version
https://youtu.be/qQ5AcRshTSE
 
Artistic Finance
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
Kat Borderud
https://www.katborderud.com/
@katmagik
 
The Art of Tailoring A Show
https://sched.co/1odhj
 
Financial Independence for Creatives
https://sched.co/1hUTn
 
Khruangbin
https://www.khruangbin.com/
 
LDI - use code ARTISTICFINANCE - for a free expo hall pass
https://www.ldishow.com/
 
Ellen Lampert-Gréaux
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-lampert-gr%C3%A9aux-2abb351b/
 
Kat Borderud is a Nurnberg, Germany-born multi-disciplinary light artist, production designer, lighting programmer, and lighting director from the USA. Her approach to working with musicians and bands of all sizes comes from both her own musical background and personal place of designing with people she loves dearly, executing a vision of how artists wish to be seen on stage. Kat’s background as a musician growing up fueled her career as lighting designer embodying the visual band member through percussive programming, as well as a designer who can work with artists on a personal level to fulfill their production desires.
 
Instagram Handles
@katmagik
@nicolevsteimel
@ethansteimel
@live.design
@ldishow
 
Hosted by Ellen Lampert-Gréaux and Ethan Steimel

170: Holy Dismissal - Producing Faith & Identity Onstage with Matthew LaBanca

Performer and musician Matthew LaBanca discussing his upcoming solo show Communion, in which he tells the story of getting fired from his music teaching job by the Catholic Church when he was reported for being gay.
 
Topics:
⭐️ Finding a lead producer using the internet
⭐️ Producing a non-profit off-Broadway mini contract
⭐️ Theatre careers are about relationships, so have integrity because it’s a magnetic trait
⭐️ It’s a solitary career, so let people into your process sooner than later to have company and momentum as you take projects to fruition
 
Pitch Deck
https://www.patreon.com/posts/170-holy-faith-115323912?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
 
Video Version
https://youtu.be/AmztiOgdy-k
 
Artistic Finance
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
Matthew LaBanca
www.MatthewLaBanca.com
 
Communion
www.CommunionThePlay.com
@communionsoloshow
 
The Cell Theatre
https://www.thecelltheatre.org/
 
New York Times Article
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/27/nyregion/catholic-school-teacher-fired-same-sex-marriage.html
 
Backstage Jobs (now Off Stage):
https://staging.offstagejobs.com/jobs.php
 
1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture
https://www.1946themovie.com/
Kira Simring - director
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kira-simring-0134025/
 
Alissa Orlando - producer
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alissa-orlando-0118531b/
 
Matthew LaBanca – actor, writer, teacher, musician
Matthew made his Broadway debut with the Mel Brooks musical Young Frankenstein, where he covered the title role and stepped in during previews, garnering great acclaim. He has since appeared on Broadway in White Christmas, as well as the 2019 Tony Award winning play A Christmas Carol. Matthew’s self-penned solo show Good Enough played Off-Broadway at the United Solo Festival, winning the festival's Best Musical Award in 2014.
For years, Matthew worked as a musician and music teacher within the Diocese of Brooklyn and was controversially terminated after he wed his husband in 2021. This led to a media firestorm and, ultimately, the creation of his newest solo show Communion, which makes it’s world premiere Off Broadway November, 2024 for a limited run. Matthew’s story is also portrayed in the new documentary film May All Be Wed, which made its debut on the festival circuit this autumn. 
National Tours: Crazy for You (Bobby), Anything Goes, Joseph...Dreamcoat (cast album). Regional: Mary Poppins (Bert), Singin’ in the Rain (Don Lockwood), A Chorus Line (Zach), Tuesdays with Morrie (Mitch), Love, Valour, Compassion (Perry), and The Rocky Horror Show (Frank-N-Furter, *BroadwayWorld.com Nominee for Best Actor). Matthew has performed at Paper Mill Playhouse, TUTS Houston, Kansas City Starlight, Asolo Rep, San Jose Rep, Cleveland Playhouse, Connecticut Repertory Theatre, the Metropolitan Opera, and Carnegie Hall. His TV credits include Comedy Central's Broad City, Live from Lincoln Center, and the upcoming season of Severance on Apple+. In addition to performing, Matthew is a proud NYC elementary music teacher at PS151 in Woodside, Queens.
 
Instagram Handles
@matthewlabanca 
@communionsoloshow
@kirasimring
@thecelltheatre
@nicolevsteimel
@ethansteimel
 
Interview by Ethan Steimel