T.J. Sagen
Director of Sales at Cast & Crew
Entertainment has always been about people. At least, that’s how T.J. Sagen feels.
Over the course of a career spanning nearly two decades, T.J. has experienced the industry from many different perspectives. He’s managed artists, built entertainment experiences, supported live events, and now, he’s helping clients navigate the business side of production.
His journey began shortly after college, when an internship with an artist opened the door to a career in live entertainment. That opportunity eventually grew into a 15-year role managing a successful rock band, where T.J. handled the day-to-day responsibilities of helping artists build and sustain their careers.
From there, he expanded his perspective on entertainment through a role with the Milwaukee Bucks organization, working on the entertainment side of the front office and helping develop the vision for a new arena experience.
"The goal was really to help change the culture of the city," T.J. says.
When the pandemic disrupted the entertainment industry, it also created an opportunity for T.J. to reflect on the next chapter of his career. He later joined Rams Head Live!, where he helped reopen the venue after the shutdowns and led operations as General Manager.
After years spent on the artist and live entertainment side, T.J. was ready for a new challenge.
"I wanted to continue and grow," he says. "One thing I hadn't been on was the finance side."
That opportunity came through Cast & Crew. Having previously used Cast & Crew’s services while managing artists, T.J. already understood the company from a client perspective. When the opportunity to join the organization came along, it offered the chance to bring his entertainment experience into a new area while also finding greater balance in his career.
Years later, T.J. continues to see new opportunities to learn and grow.
Since joining Cast & Crew, his role has evolved alongside the company’s own transformation. As new products and workforce management solutions have continued to develop, T.J. has seen firsthand how technology can simplify processes, create better experiences, and give clients more time to focus on what matters most.
"The evolution here has been quite steep from day one," he says.
That evolution is especially important in an industry that never stands still. From changing business models to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, entertainment continues to move quickly. For T.J., staying ahead means continuing to learn, adapt, and find new ways to support clients.
That same mindset is reflected in Cast & Crew’s culture.
For T.J., one of the most meaningful parts of his experience has been the relationships he has built with his teammates. While the company works hard, he says the environment feels different because of the genuine connections people build with one another.
"There are a lot of places where you go into work, and it feels like work," he says. "Here at Cast & Crew, it's work, and we work hard, but we also have great relationships among our team."
Those relationships have encouraged T.J. to continue growing, not only as an employee, but as a teammate and colleague.
One example he points to is Cast & Crew’s annual sales summit. Bringing teams together from across the country creates an opportunity to strengthen relationships while also aligning around the company’s future direction. "It sets the tone for where we want to go, where we want to be in the future, and how do we get there."
Looking back on his journey, T.J. says the most meaningful part of his experience has been the people; both the teammates he works alongside and the clients he has had the opportunity to support.
Through his career, he has built relationships with artists, entertainment professionals, colleagues, and clients across the industry. Those connections continue to remind him why he chose this path in the first place.
"We're all just here doing our jobs and trying to do the best we can for one another."
For T.J., that sense of collaboration is what makes entertainment special, and it is what continues to make his next chapter at Cast & Crew so rewarding.
