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/

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. 

Instagram Handles

@matthewlabanca 

@communionsoloshow

@kirasimring

@thecelltheatre

@nicolevsteimel

@ethansteimel

Interview by Ethan Steimel

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

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

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

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

@ethansteimel

@nicolevsteimel

Bookshop.org links are our affiliate links.

Interview by Ethan Steimel

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

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

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

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/

Instagram Handles

@ajamjackson

@unitedscenicartists

@ethansteimel

@nicolevsteimel

Shout outs to all the Nebraska theatre makers

Laura Shoemaker & Steve G

Interview by Ethan Steimel

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