Help Kris Get to Broadway

Hello, and thanks for taking the time out of your day to visit my GoFundMe Page!

I'm Kris Watkins, for those who don't know me, I have included a bit of backstory in the Original Post from when I tried to raise a bit of money earlier this year to stay in NYC. Unfortunately, my dad, Steven, was not doing well at all at the beginning of 2014, and before I could complete that fundraiser and get settled in the city, it was best for me to leave and head back down south. 

My dad passed this summer, which has been very hard to deal with in more ways than simply losing my father, but I'm happy he's no longer in pain. He's joined the many family members and friends who'd left us before he did, and I know that he, his dad (Papa), mom (Mimi), and grandmother (Grammy) are happy to be reunited.

About 2 weeks after leaving NYC on April 3rd, I received an email calling me into my first Equity callback for The Book of Mormon (Broadway, Tour, Tour 2). I was unable to attend this callback because I'd just left the city to go to Louisiana.

Later in June, I got the callback of a lifetime! I was called in by Telsey + Co. for the Broadway production of Kinky Boots as an Angel and Lola's understudy! 

*** More on that story! ***

I was unable to attend the Kinky Boots callback because my dad had just recently passed and I wasn't able to afford making the trip - financially nor emotionally.

I now find myself back in Houston, TX working as much as I can to get myself back to NYC as soon as possible, but things are slow going as far as saving what I need. Maybe with a bit of your help, I can realize my dreams sooner, rather than later!!!!

The $5,000 I'm trying to raise would include my travel fees back to the city, moving my things, replacing things that were stolen from me (More on this in the Original Post, below), and to account for the few surprise expenses I had last year. 

Any amount is appreciated, if 10 people give $1, that's $10 - if 10 people give $10, that's $100 - if 10 people give $100, that's $1,000!

Even if you find that you can't donate at the moment:
Please share this with family and friends. Every eye that sees this is another opportunity to get closer to achieving my goals and making those who have supported me and myself proud!

Original Post:
Bonjour, Kris here! I used to think that never having the opportunity to make your dreams come true would be the most frustrating thing in the world - yet, I've come to find out that having a host of opportunities and not being able to financially support them is even worse.


After years of preparation, studying and having incredible opportunities to work with some of Broadway's best and brightest, I've finally made the long-overdue move to New York City to make a reality of something I've dreamed of for so very long. I've had a lot of great feedback both in and out of the audition rooms from some really amazing people, which is beyond inspiring!
Unfortunately, keeping your head above the water with expenses in NYC is very hard, especially when you're trying to pursue performing. I'm currently working two jobs, in addition to being signed with a temp agency, and doing things on the side to make a few extra bucks when I have the time. Excluding the things I wish I could afford like dance/acting classes, voice lessons, new music, new audition outfits, etc. I'm finding it incredibly difficult to keep on top of basic expenses like rent, bills, subway rides, groceries, the cost of printing headshots (without which, I'm not even able to audition), and more.

I was also unfortunate enough to have the majority of my things stolen from storage including all of my kitchenware, sheets, towels, books, scripts, and all of my winter clothing - which isn't boding well in these current below freezing temperatures.

I'm not one to ask for help, it really isn't something I was raised to believe is acceptable, but without help, this chance of a lifetime I've been given will come to a close before I've even really had the chance to give it my all. I'm just needing a bit of help to get my head above the water so that I can begin to stand on my own two feet and make the dream a reality.

Anything that you are able to give would help me greatly and is so very appreciated! I would also appreciate if you wouldn't mind forwarding this to others!