Ghostlight

Money doesn’t have to be the enemy of creativity. This week on Ghostlight , Benjamin Reed sits down with actor, entrepreneur, and Not Starving Artists founder Brooke Benson for a conversation about the relationship between art, money, and the stories we tell ourselves about both. Brooke shares how financial anxiety led her to rethink traditional budgeting, why so many artists struggle with money m...

Episode 225: Ben Grimes: Serving Is a Core Value Actor. Army veteran. Founder. Artistic Director. Ben Grimes has spent much of his life moving between worlds: from a performing arts high school in Arkansas, to the hustle and bustle of New York City, to military service in Iraq, and now to leading one of Kentucky’s most impactful theater organizations. In this conversation, Benjamin and Ben explore...

What does it mean to spend a lifetime making theatre? Actor, director, educator, and fourth-generation theatre artist Jenny Bennett joins Ghostlight host Benjamin Reed to explore the power of presence, communication, and community. From growing up backstage in Michigan to building a theatre company in Taiwan, Jenny reflects on the experiences that shaped her artistic vision and her belief that mea...

In this episode, Benjamin sits down with actor and storyteller Ron Román-Meléndez to explore why stories matter, who they are for, and what happens if institutions lose sight of their purpose. Drawing from more than a decade working at some of the country's leading classical theaters, Ron reflects on storytelling, artistic excellence, community, accessibility, and the tension between art and econo...

In this episode, singer-songwriter Sam Moss reflects on creativity, community, and the slow work of making meaningful art. Together, Sam and Benjamin explore the difference between performing and connecting, why some songs take years to finish, the challenge of balancing artistry with a livelihood, and what happens when we give our attention fully to a craft. The conversation also dives into touri...

In this episode, Caleb Clark shares his journey through professional acting, creative burnout, fatherhood, and building a coaching business for actors in Atlanta. Together, Caleb and Benjamin explore the realities of sustaining a creative life, the emotional toll of rejection, the illusion of “making it,” and why theater continues to matter in an increasingly disconnected world. Caleb reflects on:...

The conversation explored the challenges and opportunities in the performing arts industry, focusing on the impact of technology, authenticity, and the future of live performances. David Deaton shared insights on his music and film scoring career, the challenges of connecting with audiences, and the sustainability of live performances. The discussion also explores the role of self-promotion, the i...

In this special episode of Ghostlight, Benjamin Reed sits down with playwright and Endstation Theatre Company Executive Director Patrick Earl to discuss Good Birth , Endstation’s upcoming world premiere production exploring the origins of Virginia’s eugenics movement and the infamous Supreme Court case Buck v. Bell . What begins as a planning conversation around livestreaming the production quickl...

In this episode of Ghost Light, Benjamin Reed sits down with playwright, director, educator, and performer Ginna Hoben for a candid conversation about the realities of building a life in the arts. Together they explore artistic identity, the mechanics of effective storytelling, and the tension between creative fulfillment and financial sustainability. Ginna shares how playwriting unexpectedly beca...

Jeremy West, the founder of Silver Line Theater Exchange, discusses the founding of the theater, his evolving roles as an educator, artist, and entrepreneur, the challenges of sustainability and revenue generation, the future of American theater, and the nonprofit challenges and waste in the industry. The conversation covers the topics of leveraging shared resources, community involvement and reso...

The conversation explores the transition from being a touring musician to becoming a business owner, the challenges faced by touring musicians, and the impact of the pandemic on the music industry. The conversation delves into the financial struggles faced by artists and business owners in the arts industry, highlighting the challenges of balancing financial sustainability with artistic passion. I...

The conversation delves into the financial challenges faced by performers, as well as the importance of financial literacy and planning. It also explores the emotional and psychological aspects of financial stability in the performing arts, and the impact of personal experiences on financial decision-making. Additionally, it discusses the intersection of creativity and financial management, as wel...

Takeaways Navigating the delicate balance of being a creative and paying the bills The tension and challenges of working contract to contract, social media, and content creation. Sustainability in the performing arts industry Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Stageable and Ghost Light 06:20 Sacrifices and Trade-offs in the Industry 17:56 The Changing Landscape of Marketing and Branding 26:32 Challeng...

The conversation delves into the world of theatrical performance, artistic expression, and the challenges and opportunities in American theater. It explores the importance of regional theaters engaging with local audiences, financial transparency in theater companies, the role of resident company systems in regional theaters, and the concept of democratizing the performing arts. The conversation e...

The conversation explores the act of community in theater, the use of shared light for community engagement, the creation of a theatrical experience, the synergy between artistic and administrative roles, and the shifting landscape of theater post-pandemic. The conversation covers the challenges faced by theater makers, the impact of AI on the creative world, the role of collaboration in theater,...

Clayton Smith discusses his diverse career path, from teaching high school to working in marketing for arts organizations, and the challenges of marketing in the performing arts industry. He also shares insights on community building and fundraising in the nonprofit arts sector. The conversation delves into the tension between artistic integrity and commercial success, the importance of community...

The conversation with Constance Swain delves into her entrepreneurial expansion and career transition, exploring her journey into real estate and the challenges she faced. It also touches on the evolution of her identity and the balance between her roles in real estate and theater. The discussion emphasizes the importance of embracing new titles and roles, the approach to creativity and process, a...

The conversation covers the challenges and triumphs of leading a community theater, the importance of fundraising, the impact of structural changes, the workload and time management, and the future goals and challenges of the theater company. The conversation delves into the role of an artist as an administrator, the definition of art and artists, the concept of art as worship, the influence of ex...

This conversation with Stephanie H Earl covers her multifaceted role in academia, theater, and parenting. It delves into the challenges of balancing work and family, the importance of non-negotiables, and the shared lessons between leadership and parenting. Additionally, it explores the impact of union regulations on resource allocation and decision-making in the theater industry. The conversation...

Emily Wold shares her journey from stage work to voiceover acting, the challenges she faced, and the mindset shift that led to her success as an entrepreneur. She discusses the practical steps involved in building her home studio and the impact of imposter syndrome on creative entrepeneurs. Emily shares her insights on the power of routine, creativity, and high-level listening in both artistry and...

Summary In this episode of Ghost Light, host Benjamin Reed engages with the Honey Dewdrops, Kagey and Laura, as they discuss their journey as musicians, their roots in Virginia, and the evolution of their music and storytelling. They share insights into their songwriting process, the impact of their relocation to Staunton, and how the music industry has changed over the years. The conversation als...

This conversation celebrates the power of storytelling and live theater, from classical stage work at the American Shakespeare Center to the adventure of touring with Harry Potter . Along the way, it explores what success really looks like in today’s theater world and how artists can build careers that are both meaningful and sustainable. At its heart, the episode is a reminder of why theater matt...

In this conversation with Jim Warren , artistic director and longtime builder of theatre companies, we explore what it means to build a theatre organization that can grow, adapt, and endure. From the early inspiration behind founding a company to the practical realities of expansion and long-term sustainability, Jim shares hard-won insights from decades of leadership in the field. The discussion h...

This conversation examines the growing difficulty of sustaining a long-term career in the performing arts. We reflect on the transition from full-time artist to part-time professor as both a practical adaptation and an emotional experience. Together, we interrogate the audition-based labor model, the effects of market saturation, and an industry that increasingly struggles to support the people it...

Jesse Lilis discusses the journey of Starling Shakespeare, a nonprofit theater company, and its vision for the future. The conversation delves into the challenges of operating as a nonprofit, the company's revenue model, and the potential for digital content creation in the performing arts industry. The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities of digital content creation for theaters...