196: Financial Education as a Theatrical LX Programmer with Brad Gray

Broadway lighting programmer Brad Gray discusses financial literacy and the importance of making that choice to prioritize your finances so that you aren’t forced to hustle until your dying day.

Topics:

⭐️ Rich Dad, Poor Dad

⭐️ Programmer day rates

⭐️ Rental real estate investing

⭐️ ROTH IRAs and Retirement Accounts

⭐️ Starting them early and NOT dipping into them when purchasing a new home unless you really have to

Video Version

https://youtu.be/4uJpUwkBDY0

Brad Gray

https://www.bradgray.lighting/

Rich Dad, Poor Dad

https://bookshop.org/a/86693/9781612681139

(my affiliate link!)

Bigger Pockets

https://www.biggerpockets.com/podcasts/real-estate

FHA Loan

https://www.hud.gov/helping-americans/loans

PMI

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-private-mortgage-insurance-en-122/

Isabella Byrd

https://www.isabellabyrd.design/

Justin Townsend

https://www.justintownsenddesign.com/

Aland Henderson

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aland-henderson-914b669/

Trudy Durant

https://tcdurant.com/home.aspx

Accountants

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YG1sgP4LqJa6Rk5CBdnvlQ2ByEvzFNKSS6uI61QkMlY/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.pb5zrm8roqpz

Brad grew up in Oklahoma, where his passion for theater began at a young age. By 7, he was performing in local musicals and plays. At 10, he was operating the sound console for his local church, and by 14, he was assisting with the electrical overhaul of the Bartlesville Community Center (BCC), a 1,700-seat proscenium theater. This project opened the door to more opportunities at the BCC, including national tour load-ins, show runs, and load-outs. It was there that Brad first explored lighting programming, honing his skills on numerous plays, musicals, concerts, ballets, and symphonies performed on the BCC stage.

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Brad pursued his passion for theater at the University of Oklahoma, studying under the late Steven Draheim and earning a degree in Lighting Design. During his later years at OU, he interned at the prestigious Williamstown Theatre Festival (WTF) in Williamstown, MA, where he gained the skills and connections necessary to launch a career in programming in New York City. Brad continued to work at WTF for three more years, serving as the Master Electrician of the Nikos Stage and later as Production Electrician. Beyond shaping his career, Williamstown also introduced Brad to his wife, Mariah.

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With over 20 years of experience as a lighting programmer, lighting director, and consultant, Brad has built an impressive career in theater, working on over 15 Broadway shows, including The Lion King, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Death Becomes Her and others, collaborating with industry leaders like Justin Townsend, Don Holder, and Kevin Adams. Brad is also a passionate educator, having guest lectured at NYU, Rutgers, Brooklyn College, Juilliard, the University of Oklahoma, Texas State University, and many other academic institutions, ranging from high school to collegiate education. His expertise and creative vision have taken him to stages and venues around the world, solidifying his reputation as a trusted professional in the industry.

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More recently, Brad has been consulting on installation projects and sales, helping schools and universities, museums, houses of worship, concert halls, and other venues bridge the gap between the overwhelming variety of equipment available and the trusted tools used by industry leaders.

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Today, Brad resides in Randolph, NJ, with Mariah, their son Benjamin, and their golden retriever, Charlie. When he’s not working on Broadway or traveling internationally, Brad enjoys disc golf, hunting, tackling personal projects, investing in real estate, and diving into books on personal finance.

Instagram Handles

@bradgraylighting

@ethansteimel

@nicolevsteimel