EPISODE 203:
FREELANCE LIGHTING DANCE, THEATRE, & OPERA IN LOUISVILLE WITH JESSE ALFORD
Host: Ethan Steimel
Release Date: 6/29/2026
Release Date: 6/29/2026
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The business part of a freelance career in Louisville with theatrical lighting designer Jesse AlFord.
Topics: ⭐️ Lighting and teching a circus ⭐️ Panic cancelling recurring donations ⭐️ Home ownership positives and negatives ⭐️ Buying your own gear to make your work easier ⭐️ Not needing a down payment to purchase a home |
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Links and Resources
Video Version
https://youtu.be/LxeimTTYTEY
Jesse AlFord
https://www.litbyjesse.com/
https://www.instagram.com/litbyjesse/
https://www.instagram.com/customercircus/
Royal Court Theatre
https://royalcourttheatre.com/stories/announcing-a-reset-to-pay-terms-for-freelance-creatives/
https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/231242/full-print
Circus Flora
https://circusflora.org/
Actors Theatre of Louisville
https://www.actorstheatre.org/
Ben Gonzales
https://www.viterbo.edu/profile-list/benjamin-gonzales
Christina Ferriter
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christineferriter/
Theatre Work - Interview
https://www.artisticfinance.com/161.html
Theatre Work - Book
https://www.productionlaborbook.com/
Designer Pay Resource
https://www.elsahiltner.com/theatrical-designer-pay-resource
First Time Homebuyer Loan
https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/fha-loans
USA 829
https://www.usa829.org/
Liability Insurance
https://www.artisticfinance.com/136.html
Carly Does Books
https://www.carlydoesbooks.com/
A former circus performer and coach turned Lighting Designer, Jesse is from Southern California, but has settled in Louisville, Kentucky after a brief stint in San Francisco, and graduating from Washington State University. He is the Lighting Director and Resident Lighting Designer at Louisville Ballet, and has enjoyed an award-winning freelance career spanning more than a decade, working with organizations including Kentucky Shakespeare, Cincinnati Ballet, Kentucky Opera, The Va Va Vixens, Circus Flora, The Big Apple Circus, Westchester Circus Arts, The Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis, Stage One Family Theater, Louisville Orchestra, Pandora Productions, Time Slip Theater, Theatre [502], and many more across the country. He has designed more than 250 productions for over 35 organizations. Working in circus, dance, theatre and more, he specializes in the moments and productions that happen in between those disciplines.
Instagram Handles
@litbyjesse
@customercircus
@ethansteimel
@nicolevsteimel
https://youtu.be/LxeimTTYTEY
Jesse AlFord
https://www.litbyjesse.com/
https://www.instagram.com/litbyjesse/
https://www.instagram.com/customercircus/
Royal Court Theatre
https://royalcourttheatre.com/stories/announcing-a-reset-to-pay-terms-for-freelance-creatives/
https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/231242/full-print
Circus Flora
https://circusflora.org/
Actors Theatre of Louisville
https://www.actorstheatre.org/
Ben Gonzales
https://www.viterbo.edu/profile-list/benjamin-gonzales
Christina Ferriter
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christineferriter/
Theatre Work - Interview
https://www.artisticfinance.com/161.html
Theatre Work - Book
https://www.productionlaborbook.com/
Designer Pay Resource
https://www.elsahiltner.com/theatrical-designer-pay-resource
First Time Homebuyer Loan
https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/fha-loans
USA 829
https://www.usa829.org/
Liability Insurance
https://www.artisticfinance.com/136.html
Carly Does Books
https://www.carlydoesbooks.com/
A former circus performer and coach turned Lighting Designer, Jesse is from Southern California, but has settled in Louisville, Kentucky after a brief stint in San Francisco, and graduating from Washington State University. He is the Lighting Director and Resident Lighting Designer at Louisville Ballet, and has enjoyed an award-winning freelance career spanning more than a decade, working with organizations including Kentucky Shakespeare, Cincinnati Ballet, Kentucky Opera, The Va Va Vixens, Circus Flora, The Big Apple Circus, Westchester Circus Arts, The Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis, Stage One Family Theater, Louisville Orchestra, Pandora Productions, Time Slip Theater, Theatre [502], and many more across the country. He has designed more than 250 productions for over 35 organizations. Working in circus, dance, theatre and more, he specializes in the moments and productions that happen in between those disciplines.
Instagram Handles
@litbyjesse
@customercircus
@ethansteimel
@nicolevsteimel
