From early in his career, Kris has made a clear commitment to the development of new musical theatre.

This can be seen in his early work in Australia developing Prodigal and Virgins, before he travelled overseas and founded the New York Musical Theatre Festival and produced [title of show] on Broadway.  He also worked as executive director of the National Music Theatre Network and consulting director for the Theatre for American Musicals.  Upon his return, he established New Musicals Australia in Sydney, the first company of its type in Australia and funded by the Australia Council to develop new Australian musicals.

For his work, Kris received the $100,000 Jujamcyn Theaters Prize, as well as the Sir Keith Murdoch Prize for Leadership and Innovation and a Churchill Fellowship.  He spoke on new musicals as a guest speaker or panellist for  Opera America, the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, The 2008 UK Musical Theatre Conference, The Entertainment Industry Expo NYC, NY Theatre Resources, The American Theatre Wing, the League of American Theatres and Producers and the NYC Emerging Artist and Producers panel, and he has been part of the nominating and judging committees for the Macarthur Fellowship, The Victorian Premier’s Literary Prize (musical theatre) and Dance Break NYC.