Help JM make Chicago home!

Hi! I’m John-Michael. JM, to most. I am a 23-year-old performing artist and I’ve created this GoFundMe to enable a move to Chicago on July 6th, so that I may take the nexts steps in my performing career and, most importantly, create a life of independence and stability for the first time. I have a plan, a Chicago based mentor in my friend (and probably yours!) Michael Ingersoll, and a focused determination to change my life forever.

As many of you know, in all the ways that matter, I have been raising myself since the age of 16 and for years I have had to navigate homelessness. I have done whatever was necessary to survive. It wasn’t until I took a chance on myself and my talent as an entertainer that I started receiving life-changing opportunities, mainly at my artistic home, Playhouse on the Square, in Memphis, TN. Over the past 18 months at Playhouse, I worked as an actor, singer, dancer, educator, designer, house manager, and administrative assistant, while also helming POTS first 1st LBGTQ+ event, Hearts and Hues.

Today, I am in Rock Island, IL at Circa 21 Theatre in the cast of Jersey Boys under Michael’s Direction! It was at their urging, as well as my mentors and teachers, to go just a little further east to establish a life and career in Chicago. There, I will be surrounded by a thriving LGBTQ+ community, and access to local and national theatre, film, television, voiceover, and modeling auditions. I have just been signed the Chicago Talent Network (gthetalentnetworks.com) an agency who received my self-tape submission, called me in to interview, and asked me to join their team! I begin an on-camera summer intensive with nationally acclaimed coach, Stef Tovar (steftovar.com), to make sure my audition and self-tape skills are as strong as they can be. Additionally, I am in the middle of several negotiations to secure a summer (and potentially on) going sublet (subtleinn.com) and my search for a day job to meet my ongoing needs is going great! These folks are simply waiting for me to be able to provide deposits and dates when I can begin work.

My dear friends and family, I am asking for your kind support to make my next steps a reality. With the funds that I hope to I receive from this GoFundMe, I can establish a safe place to live, begin a new job to sustain myself beyond the first couple of months, and not only pursue my dream of being a full-time performing artist, but create a life where I finally have a chance to thrive. Should I receive your support in this endeavor, not only will you receive my deep and sincere gratitude, but I promise you that I will pay your generosity forward for years to come. Please help, y’all. My bags are packed. :)