Artistic Finance

169: Navigating Rates, Retirement, and Networking with Emily Malone - Bonus Episode

Ellen and Ethan talk with Emily Malone, head of live events at Disguise, known for hardware and software for events and installations, like the Sphere in Las Vegas. 
 
Topics:
⭐️ Determining rates
⭐️ Saving for overhead
⭐️ Saving for retirement 
⭐️ Benefits of networking
 
We also discuss the Vegas Sphere, Adele’s Munich Show, and Philadelphia Cream Cheese
 
Video Version
https://youtu.be/p2ZI0DUH0O4
 
Artistic Finance
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
LDI
https://www.ldishow.com/
 
Emily Malone
https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyjmalone/
 
Disguise
https://www.disguise.one/en
 
Free Agent
https://www.freeagent.com/us/
 
Ellen Lampert-Gréaux
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-lampert-gr%C3%A9aux-2abb351b/
 
Emily Malone is the Head of Live Events at Disguise, where she champions the company’s role at the forefront of the live events industry. Trained at RADA in Technical Theatre and Stage Management, she began working with video at the National Theatre before embarking on a 10 year freelance career as a media server programmer on productions such as Back To The Future: The Musical and War Horse. At Disguise, Emily has remained close to her hands-on production roots, having also held roles in the support and software engineering teams.
 
Instagram Handles
@nicolevsteimel
@ethansteimel
@live.design
@ldishow
 
Hosted by Ellen Lampert-Gréaux and Ethan Steimel
 

169: Illuminating Public Art with Ben Davis

Amy D Lux interviews Ben Davis, founder of Illuminate, a San Francisco non-profit that rallies large groups of people together to create impossible works of public art. 
 
Topics:
⭐️ The Bay Bridge Lights
⭐️ Raising a million dollars a month
⭐️ Conversely, turning down millions of dollars of funding
⭐️ The economy of generosity vs. economy of reciprocity 
 
Quicklinks - Artistic Finance:
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
Video Version:
https://youtu.be/327Aw0bEuAs?si=CDtY99XwNtVgB0rg
 
Illuminate
https://illuminate.org/
 
Ben Davis
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-davis-sf/
 
Musco Lighting
https://www.musco.com/baybridge/
 
Leo Villareal - Bay Bridge Lights
https://villareal.net/the-bay-lights-2013-the-bay-bridge-sf-ca
 
George Zisiadis - Grace Light
https://www.georgezisiadis.com/
 
Gabriel Gold - Grace Light Composer
https://www.gabrielgoldmusic.com/
 
Mark Deem - Misfit Toys
https://goldenmileproject.org/project/remember-when/
 
Reuben Rude - Whale
https://goldenmileproject.org/project/street-whale/
 
Dana King - Rooted (In) Justice
https://goldenmileproject.org/project/rooted-in-justice/
 
Charlie Gadekan
https://goldenmileproject.org/project/tune-in/
 
Doggie Diner Heads
https://goldenmileproject.org/project/doggie-diner-heads/
 
Cristo and Jeanne-Claude
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christo_and_Jeanne-Claude
 
Amy D Lux:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-d-lux-953a7318a/
https://utopiadreamscape.com/author/luvlogica/
 
Instagram Handles
@illuminatethearts
@lobolux
@ethansteimel
@nicolevsteimel
 
Interview by Amy D Lux

168: Full Time Church Lighting, Freelance Gigs, and Parenting with Amanda Carradine - Bonus Episode

Ellen and Ethan chat with Amanda Carradine, the lighting director for Eastside Christian Church in California. 
 
Topics:
⭐️ Being a church LD
⭐️ Saving for inevitable slow seasons
⭐️ Determining rates for freelance gigs
⭐️ Finding stability in a production career
 
Video Version
https://youtu.be/p2ZI0DUH0O4
 
Artistic Finance
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
LDI
https://www.ldishow.com/
 
Amanda Carradine
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacarradine/
 
FILO
https://filo.org/filo2025/
 
Eastside Christian Church
https://eastside.com/anaheim/
 
Ellen Lampert-Gréaux
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-lampert-gr%C3%A9aux-2abb351b/
 
Amanda Carradine is passionate about working in live entertainment and specializes in lighting. She has professional experience in a large variety of venues: theaters, theme parks, cruise ships, houses of worship, broadcast studios, conference/corporate events, and performance arenas. She is currently working full-time as the Lighting Director for Eastside Christian Church, a large multisite church based out of Anaheim, CA, and also contracts for Trinity Broadcasting Network. When she's not working she loves having adventures with her two kids.
 
Instagram Handles
@manda.plus.two
@nicolevsteimel
@ethansteimel
@live.design
@ldishow
 
Hosted by Ellen Lampert-Gréaux and Ethan Steimel

168: Windy City Lighting with Heather Gilbert

An interview with lighting designer Heather Gilbert about financial habits throughout her decades-long career in Chicago and recently on Broadway.
 
Topics:
⭐️ Picking up the tab
⭐️ Asking for higher design fees
⭐️ Freelancer designers filing their own taxes
⭐️ Broadway design fees for plays versus musicals
⭐️ And an apology to Assistant Stage Managers from Lighting Designers
 
Video Version
https://youtu.be/o5gZkkBQ5V8
 
Full Interview
https://www.patreon.com/posts/168-windy-city-113688908?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
 
"Entering The Industry" Slideshow & 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
 
Artistic Finance
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
Heather Gilbert
https://www.hgilbertdesign.com/
https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/heather-gilbert-522765
 
Pay Quarterly Taxes
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/oc-paytaxeswithyourmobiledevice.pdf
 
Per Diem Rates
https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates
 
Entertainment Community Fund
https://entertainmentcommunity.org/free-tax-preparation-services
 
Acorns
https://www.acorns.com/
 
Parade
https://paradebroadway.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parade_(musical)
 
David Cromer
https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/david-cromer-478813
 
Laura Ingalls Wilder
https://bookshop.org/a/86693/9781250182487
 
Carole King Biography
https://bookshop.org/a/86693/9781455512621
 
The Outsiders
https://outsidersmusical.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Outsiders_(musical)
 
Bug
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bug_(play)
 
Carrie Coon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrie_Coon
 
Tracy Letts
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracy_Letts
 
Scott Pask
https://www.instagram.com/scottpaskstudio/
 
Casa Pask
https://www.instagram.com/casapask/
 
Wilson Chin
https://www.instagram.com/wilsonchindesign/?hl=en
 
Cory Pattak
https://www.instagram.com/corypattak/?hl=en
 
Adam Koch
https://www.instagram.com/instadamkoch/
 
HEATHER GILBERT (Lighting Designer) is a Chicago based lighting designer. Broadway: Parade (Tony Nomination, Drama Desk Nomination), The Sound Inside  (Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, Tony Award Nomination), Cult of Love (Second Stage). Off Broadway Dead Outlaw for Audible at Minetta Lane (Drama Desk Nomination). Chicago: Steppenwolf, Goodman, Writers Theatre, Northlight, Victory Gardens, Court Theatre, Steep Theatre, and many, many storefronts. Regional: The Muny, Center Theatre Group, Studio Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Alley Theatre, American Repertory Theater, Magic Theatre, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Pasadena Playhouse, Berkeley Repertory Theatre and Olney Theatre Center. She is the Head of Lighting Design at Columbia College Chicago and received her MFA at The Theatre School at DePaul University.
 
Instagram Handles
@htglights@unitedscenicartists
@ethansteimel
@nicolevsteimel
 
Bookshop.org links are our affiliate links.
 
Interview by Ethan Steimel
 

167: Dancing Financially As A Lighting Designer with Roma Flowers - Bonus Episode

Ellen Lampert-Gréaux and Ethan talk with Roma Flowers, a lighting designer for dance and theatre based in Texas.
 
Topics:
⭐️ Opening a 401k when young
⭐️ Legacy and generational wealth
⭐️ Keeping overhead low in the lean times
⭐️ Partnering with someone better than you at finances
⭐️ Reporting income on taxes to pay into social security
 
Video Version
https://youtu.be/mLgNZFIOOe0
 
Artistic Finance
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
LDI
https://www.ldishow.com/
 
Ellen Lampert-Gréaux
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-lampert-gr%C3%A9aux-2abb351b/
 
Roma Flowers
https://raflowers.wixsite.com/lightingdesign
https://www.linkedin.com/in/roma-flowers-682b8087/
 
Taxes
https://www.artisticfinance.com/96.html
 
Solo 401k
https://www.investopedia.com/best-solo-401k-companies-5089155#:~:text=Fidelity%20is%20our%20best%20overall,wide%20range%20of%20investment%20choices.
 
Sleep No More
https://mckittrickhotel.com/events/sleep-no-more/
 
Then She Fell
https://thenshefell.com/
 
Meow Wolf
https://meowwolf.com/
 
Instagram Handles
@ethansteimel
@nicolevsteimel
@ldishow
@live.design
 
Hosted by Ellen Lampert-Gréaux and Ethan Steimel

167: Theatre Producing with Rashad Chambers - Broadway Producer

We learn about theatre producing with Broadway producer Rashad Chambers. 
 
Topics:
⭐️ Priority loans
⭐️ Skills for producing
⭐️ Advice for early career producers
⭐️ Reasons why shows make it to Broadway
⭐️ Why investors choose to invest with Rashad
 
Video version
https://youtu.be/Ht_-UgeOJZk
 
Artistic Finance
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
"How We Became Co Producers On Broadway"
https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-we-became-co-70214738
 
Rashad V Chambers:
https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/rashad-v-chambers-520008
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rashad-chambers-4630585/
Instagram @rashadvchambers
 
Esquire Entertainment
https://www.esquireentertainment.com/
 
The Industry Standard Group
https://theindustrystandardgroup.com/
 
CTI - Commercial Theater Institute
https://commercialtheaterinstitute.com/
 
Mad Hatter: The Musical
https://www.madhatterthemusical.com/
 
From Option To Opening
hhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/603953.From_Option_to_Opening
 
Matthew LaBanca
http://matthewlabanca.com/
 
Waiting For Godot
https://playbill.com/article/keanu-reeves-and-alex-winter-set-excellent-broadway-adventure-with-jamie-lloyd-helmed-waiting-for-godot
 
Sunset Boulevard
https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/sunset-boulevard-539163
Instagram 
@rashadvchambers
@ethansteimel
@nicolevsteimel
 
Interview by Ethan Steimel

166: The Spotlight Operator's Financial Handbook with June Abernathy - Bonus Episode

June Abernathy, a touring spotlight supervisor based in Florida, talks about financial lessons from her career.
 
Topics:
⭐️ Saving 10%
⭐️ Paying yourself first
⭐️ Gambling in the stock market
⭐️ Tax considerations while touring
 
Recently June has been touring with The Lion King and SIX. She is also author of “The Spotlight Operator’s Handbook” and “The Tried and True Book of 101 Spotlight Excuses”.
 
Video Version
https://youtu.be/ci7BOsXJns0
 
Artistic Finance
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
LDI
https://www.ldishow.com/
 
Ellen Lampert-Gréaux
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-lampert-gr%C3%A9aux-2abb351b/
 
June Abernathy
https://www.spotopbooks.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/june-abernathy-82989984
 
The Spotlight Operator's Handbook
https://bookshop.org/a/86693/9781733006408
 
The Wealthy Barber
https://bookshop.org/a/86693/9780761513117
 
The Millionaire Next Door
https://bookshop.org/a/86693/9781589795471
 
The Automatic Millionaire
https://bookshop.org/a/86693/9780451499080
 
Rich Dad, Poor Dad
https://bookshop.org/a/86693/9781612681139
 
Suzy Orman
https://www.oprah.com/money/suze-ormans-10-tips-for-a-fresh-financial-start/all
 
Dave Ramsey
https://www.artisticfinance.com/84.html
 
Quicken
https://www.quicken.com/
 
Big Little Books
https://web.archive.org/web/20161002215936/http://www.biglittlebooks.com/
 
Living Without A Credit Card
https://advice.metrocu.org/credit-and-debt/credit/article/living-a-credit-free-life
 
June Abernathy has been touring the country with a variety of Broadway Musicals as FOH Electrician and Spotlight Supervisor since 1998, most recently with the National Tours of Disney’s The Lion King and SIX the Musical. A graduate of Florida State University, she has worked in the theater in many capacities, including as a Local and Touring IATSE Stagehand, AEA Stage Manager, Speaker, and Author. She is the author of “The Spotlight Operator’s Handbook” and “The Tried and True Book of 101 Spotlight Excuses”.
 
Instagram Handles
@nicolevsteimel
@ethansteimel
@live.design
@ldishow
 
The bookshop.org links above are our affiliate links.
 
Hosted by Ellen Lampert-Gréaux and Ethan Steimel

166: Almost Ready To Invest with Aja M Jackson - Lighting Designer

Lighting designer Aja M Jackson talks about finances as a freelancer and the importance of radical transparency when it comes to designer fees.
 
Topics: 
⭐️ Financial habits
⭐️ Living modestly 
⭐️ High yield savings accounts
⭐️ Building an financial cushion before investing
⭐️ Open sharing of finance details with colleagues
 
Video Version
https://youtu.be/33hlqOD1hWc
 
Full Interview
https://www.patreon.com/posts/166-almost-ready-113039463?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
 
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
 
Beyonce - Renaissance Tour
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_World_Tour
 
Tobias Rylander
https://tobiasrylander.com/
https://www.instagram.com/tobiasrylander/?hl=en
 
Brighter Boston
https://www.brighterboston.org/
 
Johnny Carson School of Theatre & Film
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
https://arts.unl.edu/theatre-and-film
 
Gypsy Housing
https://www.facebook.com/groups/3827629097251324/
 
Bradley King
https://bradleykingld.com/
 
Hadestown
https://hadestown.com/
 
Fabian Yeager
https://www.yeagerdesign.com/
 
Rachel Chavkin - New Yorker Article
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/06/03/behind-the-scenes-of-a-short-lived-broadway-musical
 
Craig Stelzenmuhler
https://craigstelzenmuller.com/
 
Nick Solymon
https://solyomdesign.com/
 
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
 
Instagram Handles
@ajamjackson
@unitedscenicartists
@ethansteimel
@nicolevsteimel
 
Shout outs to all the Nebraska theatre makers
Laura Shoemaker & Steve G
 
Interview by Ethan Steimel

165: Audio In Pittsburgh and 529 Savings Plans with Jordan Gilliam - Bonus Episode

An interview with Jordan Gilliam, an audio engineer, DJ, and director of education at Tech25 in Pittsburgh.
 
Topics:
⭐️ 529 College Savings Plans
⭐️ Heeding financial advice from people you trust
⭐️ Saving for retirement early (yes, even at age 19)
⭐️ Not letting tunnel vision of your ideal career keep you from learning new skills or trying new jobs and experiences
⭐️ Teaching what you know to those around you, because time is always limited so teach what you can when you can for the greater good
 
Video Version
https://youtu.be/QPMB1EXKYIU
 
Artistic Finance
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
LDI
https://www.ldishow.com/
 
Ellen Lampert-Gréaux
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-lampert-gr%C3%A9aux-2abb351b/
 
Jordan Gilliam
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanlgilliam/
https://www.instagram.com/youngobama/?hl=en
 
Tech25
https://www.tech25.org/
https://www.instagram.com/tech25pgh/?hl=en
 
529 College Savings Plan
https://www.savingforcollege.com/article/529-plan-new-rules-changes
https://www.savingforcollege.com/article/yes-your-529-plan-will-affect-financial-aid#:~:text=Assets%20in%20a%20529%20plan,not%20reported%20on%20the%20FAFSA.
https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc313
 
Secured Credit Cards
https://www.equifax.com/personal/education/credit-cards/articles/-/learn/what-is-a-secured-credit-card-do-they-build-credit/
 
Full Sail University
https://www.artisticfinance.com/35.html
 
RCF - Audio Company
https://www.rcf.it/en
 
Ableton
https://www.ableton.com/en/
 
Why I'll Never Make It with Dominic Thrasher
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/dir-hsr3w-20ca8bf8?utm_campaign=w_share_ep&utm_medium=dlink&utm_source=w_share
 
Jim Jones' Studio
https://vampirelifeent.com/
https://vampirelifeent.com/quarantine-studios
 
Emmai Alaquiva
https://www.emmaialaquiva.com/
 
Carolyn Slothour
https://www.carolynslothour.com/
 
Ben Peters
https://www.ldishow.com/ldishowcom/ldi-show-2024-speakers
 
Decolonizing Wealth
https://www.artisticfinance.com/151.html
https://bookshop.org/p/books/decolonizing-wealth-second-edition-indigenous-wisdom-to-heal-divides-and-restore-balance-edgar-villanueva/10784512?aid=86693&ean=9781523091416&listref=artistic-finance-books&
(that's our affiliate link)
 
Jordan Gilliam started his career in 2008 at Chung King Studios and subsequently Quad Studios in New York City. He went on to tour as a DJ and traveling recording and mixing engineer for some of the biggest Hip-Hop artists allowing him to share stages and space with artists ranging from Kendrick Lamar to The Chicks to Paul McCarntney. During his travels he also learned videography and started building curriculum for educational institutes in Pittsburgh, PA. In typical audio fashion he found himself learning live sound as a house engineer and helped open a multi-level entertainment complex, landing him on a regional tour circuit with some of Pittsburgh's top bands. The culmination of these experiences are the fabric for Tech25, a non-profit educational institution which provides workforce development programming, teen camps and K-8 in-school programming throughout Pittsburgh Public and regional Charter Schools. From apprenticeships to partnerships with local universities, unions and production companies, Tech25 is paving the way for new pathways for entering the industry and creating a replicable model for cities across the United States
 
Instagram Handles
@tech25pgh
@youngobama
@ethansteimel
@nicolevsteimel
@ldishow
@live.design
 
Hosted by Ellen Lampert-Gréaux and Ethan Steimel

165: Focusing Lights On Broadway Producing with Richard Winkler

Broadway producer Richard Winkler talks about how he transitioned from lighting design to producing. In 2024, Richard is producing 15 shows between Broadway and The West End.
 
Topics:
⭐️ Good theatre
⭐️ A Chorus Line
⭐️ Commissioning a new musical
⭐️ Switching careers from lighting designer to producer
 
Video Version
https://youtu.be/HXgcMEw0bP4
 
Full Interview
https://www.patreon.com/posts/164-focusing-on-110904789?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
 
Richard Winkler
https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-winkler-452a9111/
https://www.instagram.com/winklerbroadway/
https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/richard-winkler-25957
 
3 Summers of Lincoln
https://lajollaplayhouse.org/show/3-summers-of-lincoln/
 
Red Hanger Productions
http://www.redhangerproductions.com/
 
Junkyard Dogs Productions
https://www.jydprod.com/about
 
Doris Kearns Goodwin
https://doriskearnsgoodwin.com/about-doris/
 
Joe DiPietro discussing Diana: The Musical
https://youtu.be/9X6rWzUYb_w?si=dDq0cwrhigvk3J-h&t=1296
Story starts at 21:36
 
Joe DiPietro
https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/joe-dipietro-383115
 
Toni Leslie James - Costume Designer
https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/toni-leslie-james-24978#Awards
 
Amanda Zieve - Lighting Designer
https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/amanda-zieve-471082
 
Howell Binkley - Lighting Designer
https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/howell-binkley-25554
 
Ken Billington - Lighting Designer
https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/ken-billington-24677
 
David Rockwell - Set Designer
https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/david-rockwell-82068
 
Sue Frost - Producer
https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/sue-frost-71850
 
Longacre Theater
https://www.ibdb.com/theatre/longacre-theatre-1240
 
Broadway Theater
https://www.ibdb.com/theatre/broadway-theatre-1496
 
Tharon Musser
https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/tharon-musser-25815
 
Long Day’s Journey Into Night
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Day%27s_Journey_into_Night
 
Jean Rosenthal
https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/jean-rosenthal-25879
 
Groucho: A Life In Revue
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groucho:_A_Life_in_Revue
 
Instagram Handles
@winklerbroadway
@ethansteimel
@nicolevsteimel
 
Interview by Ethan Steimel