Ghostlight

Stageable
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Performing Arts
  • Updated Weekly

What does it actually take to build a sustainable life in the arts? Ghostlight is a podcast about the intersection of creativity, business, identity, and survival. Hosted by entrepreneur and theater artist Benjamin Reed, each episode features candid conversations with performers, playwrights, directors, producers, and builders navigating the realities of creative work. Together, they explore the mechanics behind artistic careers: money, leverage, burnout, storytelling, ambition, audience building, self-worth, and the challenge of creating meaningful work without destroying yourself in the process. Because making art is one thing. Building a life around it is another.

  1. Sep 15

    228. Aaron Simms: Engagement Over Reach

    Arts organizations everywhere are asking the same questions: How do we build sustainable institutions? How do we serve our communities? And what needs to change if the arts are going to thrive in the decades ahead? In this episode of Ghostlight, Benjamin Reed sits down with Aaron Simms, Executive Director of Shakespeare on the Sound and founder of Inwood Art Works, to explore the future of arts leadership. The conversation covers the economics of nonprofit theater, why cash flow matters more than most people realize, the shift toward hyperlocal communities, the role of technology and AI, and how arts organizations can build deeper relationships instead of simply chasing bigger audiences. Whether you work in the arts or simply care about the role creativity plays in society, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at where we've been and where we might be headed next. Guest Links Website: https://www.shakespeareonthesound.org/ Inwood Art Works: https://www.inwoodartworks.nyc/ Connect with Ghostlight Website: https://www.stageable.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/stageableofficial

  2. Aug 11 ·  Bonus

    PILOT. Table Work: Brutus/Cassius (part 1)

    We’re testing the idea of “table work” as its own kind of show. Featuring different actors, varying scenes, and bringing in directors and dramaturgs into the the conversation. Let us know if this interests you in the comments or what would make it better. Starting with a preliminary read-through, then unpacking the text, exploring the historical and political context, and digging into the relationship between Brutus and Cassius. Along the way, the conversation moves between craft and meaning, exploring verse, performance choices, rehearsal process, and the tension between love, honor, and leadership inside the play. If you’ve ever wondered what really happens before a performance takes shape, or whether that process is worth watching on its own, this is us finding out. Takeaways The concept of 'Table Work' as a standalone showThe importance of historical and cultural context in understanding character motivations and political commentary Exploring character relationships is crucial for understanding the dynamics of a play.The themes of love, honor, and leadership play a significant role in the interactions between characters.Verse analysis and performance choices can provide valuable insights into character portrayal and storytelling. Character exploration through tableworkThe importance of investing time in tablework Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Concept00:42 The Idea of Table Work01:56 The Practical Realities of Process02:23 Technical Aspects of Scene Preparation03:06 Technical Challenges and Interruptions12:36 Exploring the Scene26:45 Historical and Cultural Context36:13 Character Analysis and Political Commentary41:01 Exploring Character Relationships42:25 The Relationship Between Brutus and Cassius45:37 Love, Honor, and Leadership01:07:10 Verse Analysis and Performance Choices01:16:04 Exploring the Characters01:18:01 The Power of Language01:19:26 The Art of Rehearsal01:25:16 The Process of Tablework01:28:42 The Value of Process01:36:22 Investing in Tablework01:39:48 The Impact of Tablework

  3. Aug 4

    227. Michael Thatcher: A Tenacious Journey to Broadway

    The conversation covers Michaels journey to Broadway, life changes and parenthood, and sustaining a long-running show. Michael Thatcher shares insights into his training, character versatility, financial struggles, and the impact of parenthood on his career. He also discusses the challenges of sustaining a long-running show and adapting to unexpected situations. Takeaways The journey to Broadway involves training, character versatility, and career building.A Broadway career comes with financial struggles and the need for stability and sustainability.Life changes, such as parenthood, lead to a shift in outlook and the challenge of balancing work and family.Sustaining a long-running show involves challenges of repetition and adapting to unexpected situations. Chapters 00:00 The Journey to Broadway05:37 Lessons from Grad School11:06 Transition to New York and Broadway Debut19:16 Pandemic Experience and Wicked Audition27:11 Wicked and Transition to Broadway00:01 Introduction and Early Beginnings28:43 The Journey to Broadway32:04 The Ups and Downs of a Broadway Career35:19 Life Changes and Parenthood44:53 Sustaining a Long-Running Show

  4. Jul 7

    226. Brooke Benson: Money Coach for Creatives

    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 mindset, and how creating financial stability can actually unlock greater creative freedom. Together, Benjamin and Brooke explore entrepreneurship, multiple streams of income, the realities facing today’s artists, and what it might take to build a healthier, more sustainable arts ecosystem. Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, freelancer, or simply someone who has ever felt overwhelmed by money, this episode offers practical insights alongside a hopeful vision for the future. In this episode: • The origin of Not Starving Artists • Why budgeting often fails creative minds • The connection between financial stability and artistic risk-taking • Entrepreneurship as a creative practice • Multiple streams of income without losing your artistic identity • Why mindset matters as much as math • The future of nonprofit theatre and sustainable artistic careers • Practical financial habits every creative should know Chapters 00:00 – Meet Brooke Benson 00:30 – The Birth of Not Starving Artists 03:40 – When Saving Money Isn’t Enough 06:25 – The Mindset Behind Financial Freedom 12:35 – Building a Business While Building an Acting Career 20:20 – Why Creativity Makes Better Entrepreneurs 25:10 – Changing the Stories We Tell About Money 31:10 – Does Financial Stability Make Better Artists? 34:00 – The Money Flow Method 41:30 – Simple Financial Habits That Compound 45:15 – The Future of the Starving Artist 57:15 – Brooke’s Advice to Every Young Artist 58:50 – Where to Find Brooke About Brooke Benson Brooke Benson is an Equity actor, money coach, and founder of Not Starving Artists. Through one-on-one coaching, online courses, and her podcast, she helps artists and creative professionals build financial confidence without sacrificing the lives they’re trying to create. Connect with Brooke: Website: https://notstarvingartists.com Instagram: @notstarvingartists Podcast: The Not Starving Artist Podcast Ghostlight is a podcast about how art helps us relate to ourselves, each other, and the world. Hosted by Benjamin Reed.

  5. Jun 30

    225. Ben Grimes: Serving is a Core Value

    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 how theater became a tool for self-discovery, why service remains one of Ben’s core values, and what the military taught him about leadership, purpose, and community. They discuss the surprising connection between Shakespeare and trauma recovery, the scars we carry through life, and the role storytelling can play in healing. The conversation also examines the future of American theater: resident companies, community engagement, artist compensation, nonprofit sustainability, and Ben’s vision for Market House Theatre as a cultural anchor for western Kentucky. At its heart, this episode asks a simple question: What happens when we gather in a room together and truly pay attention? Topics DiscussedGrowing up as a military brat and finding identity through theaterWhy acting became a path to self-discoveryThe challenges of pursuing a career in New York CityMilitary service, leadership, and life after the ArmyShakespeare, PTSD, and the healing power of storytellingTrauma, empathy, and the scars we carryThe rise and fall of resident acting companiesCommunity theater vs. professional theaterHow nonprofit theaters actually workEndowments, sustainability, and arts fundingBuilding Market House Theatre’s futureWhy theater remains a powerful tool for community buildingAbout Ben GrimesBen Grimes is the Artistic Director of Market House Theatre in Paducah, Kentucky. An actor, Army veteran, arts administrator, and founder of Riverside Actors Theatre, his work centers on storytelling, service, and the transformative power of the arts. Chapters00:00 Finding Identity Through Theater Ben’s childhood, ADHD, and discovering drama. 06:32 When Acting Wasn’t Enough New York City, artistic ambition, and joining the Army. 15:45 Service as a Core Value How military service reshaped Ben’s perspective. 19:05 Can Shakespeare Heal Trauma? PTSD, storytelling, and the science behind theater’s impact. 29:01 Building a Theater for Healing The Breach, Riverside Actors Theatre, and therapeutic arts. 37:28 What Is Professional Theater Anymore? Resident companies, community theater, and artist compensation. 46:46 The Future of Market House Theatre Ben’s vision for western Kentucky. 56:31 Theater as a Gym for Empathy Why communities still need shared artistic experiences.

  6. Jun 22

    224. Jenny Bennett: Hope is a Discipline

    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 meaningful communication begins with listening. Together, Bennett and Reed discuss actor training, directing, language acquisition through theatre, the economics of the arts, why live performance still matters, and the unique ability of storytelling to bring people together across cultures and differences. Along the way, Jenny shares lessons from a life in the theatre, why the best collaborators aren’t always the most talented people in the room, and why she believes that hope is not a feeling, but a discipline. Topics: Theatre, directing, acting, Taiwan, communication, community, arts funding, Shakespeare, collaboration, storytelling, attention, hope.

  7. Jun 12

    223. Ron Román-Meléndez: Why Stories Matter

    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 economics. Together, they examine the role of theater in a world filled with distractions, the difference between spectacle and substance, and why audiences continue to seek meaningful shared experiences. The conversation also explores the future of the arts, the value of live performance, the challenges facing cultural institutions, and the responsibility artists have to the communities they serve. At its heart, this episode asks a simple question: What are stories for? And what do we lose when we stop paying attention to one another? Chapters00:00 Introduction & Why Stories Matter 04:00 Attention, Advertising, and Modern Storytelling 07:20 Why We Tell Stories in the First Place 10:30 Community, Universality, and Shakespeare 16:30 What Makes Great Storytelling? 22:00 Trusting the Text and Trusting the Audience 27:00 Vulnerability, Performance, and Presence 37:00 AI, Imagination, and the Future of Art 43:00 The $250 Question: Why Leave the House for Theater? 51:00 Excellence, Craft, and the Pursuit of Better Work 58:00 Transparency, Institutions, and Funding the Arts 01:07:00 Technology, Access, and Expanding Audiences 01:13:00 Community, Civilization, and Why Stories Endure

  8. Jun 7

    222. Sam Moss

    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 touring, house concerts, audience building, the changing nature of live performance, and why smaller, more intimate spaces may hold the key to deeper artistic experiences. At its heart, this episode is about patience, presence, and the value of creating things that cannot be rushed. Chapters 00:00 The Origin Story of Sam Moss16:04 The Joy of Music and Performance33:12 Expectations and Performance46:43 Balancing Art and Entrepreneurship01:03:59 The Art of Slowing Down

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

What does it actually take to build a sustainable life in the arts? Ghostlight is a podcast about the intersection of creativity, business, identity, and survival. Hosted by entrepreneur and theater artist Benjamin Reed, each episode features candid conversations with performers, playwrights, directors, producers, and builders navigating the realities of creative work. Together, they explore the mechanics behind artistic careers: money, leverage, burnout, storytelling, ambition, audience building, self-worth, and the challenge of creating meaningful work without destroying yourself in the process. Because making art is one thing. Building a life around it is another.

Information

  • Creator
    Stageable
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Stageable
  • Show Website
    Ghostlight