Freelance Lighting Designer Kris Fighting Cancer

Hello, this is Michele Brangwen writing on behalf of the amazing wonderful lighting designer Kris Phelps. Kris has been a friend and collaborator for 25 years. She has not only worked with my performing ensemble for years, she has designed lights - and when needed doubled as production manager - for countless beautiful and engaging performances of dance, theater and music by many performing arts companies, in Houston, nationally and internationally. Her beautiful work spans a career of more than 30 plus years. In addition, whether she is designing lighting for the Ensemble Theater, a renowned theatre company based in Houston, or coming to the aid of emerging choreographers, she approaches every production with creativity and care.

Now she needs our help. For the past few months she has been dealing with breast cancer and even though she has insurance, the deductibles and endless co-pays are adding up: surgery, hospital stay, procedures, chemo that requires a hefty co-pay each time, shots to keep her blood levels up during chemo, medications, and of course, endless scans and tests.

You might not be aware, but as the world began to open up after the peak of the pandemic, the arts were slow to get started with many productions being canceled or rescheduled. This made things difficult for many people in the arts, especially freelance artists. I will also add that Kris' vehicle that brought her to and from her many projects also did extra work carting lighting equipment, set pieces, and supplies. She was always ready to hop in her beloved truck and help. (When I first met her on a phone meeting for a project, I asked her to spell her last name and she said "helps" with a "P" in front of it, and over the years I have often thought about how that off-hand description describes her very essence). Well, the beloved truck had an engine compartment fire during the pandemic. So we can add Uber rides when friends can't jump in to take her to and from doctors appointments to the list of expenses. When you have cancer the appointments multiply exponentially.

This fund is going directly to her to help pay for all these medical expenses and transportation. The past few months have wiped out her savings, so there also goes saving for a deposit on a new vehicle. Kris is the arts community's fiercely independent wild child, more used to being the one who helps people, than in this position. Please, find it in your heart to support in whatever way you can this loving and giving person as she bravely - and with admirable humor and resolve - fights cancer. She has shown light on so many artists, literally illuminating so much artistic output and giving audiences the joy and comfort of art; please, let's all send some love and light back.