We had the good fortune of connecting with Kim Watkinson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kim, what matters most to you?
Integrity. If I take a job, my intention is to always deliver excellence.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
How did I get here? Grace. Getting quiet enough to listen to my intuition. I want to be clear, I am still in process and always learning. If I had a magical potion or solution I’d be farther along down the road of success!

And what sets me apart from other talent? Although an American of European descent, Japanese was my first language. I still speak, read and write fluently.

As for the art of acting and voice overs, being authentic, starts with self awareness. I’d say trusting myself more with life and script choices is an important key. Knowing at my core that I am enough helps. I don’t need to pretend to be someone else. I can tap into my decades of experiences to tap into what the copy or script is trying to convey.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Start with breakfast at the Tokyo Premium Bakery on Pearl Street. The owner is from Nagoya, Japan and every bite of her bread, brings me back home.
Pearl Street itself is a lovely place to window shop and the Farmers Market is a great way to stock up on produce and one-of-a-kind crafts.
A stroll around the Denver Botanic Gardens. En route I’d point out the impressive Empower Field (go Broncos!)
Next, afternoon tea at The Brown Palace. A must when my niece or friends are in town. Exquisite architecture, ambience and the only place (I’ve found so far) that serves real English scones. Historians at the hotel also give tours which are fascinating.
In the evening, a New York quality theatre show at the Denver Center of Performing Arts (DCPA.)
BTW Denver’s largest suburb, Aurora, is also home to MoCha which serves mochi donuts AND Kyoto-style matcha soft ice cream. My sister still talks about the place 6 months plus after her visit. It’s that good!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My dad. He was a radio guy in his youth. I started acting and voice over work at age 10. While awaiting my turn to go to the mic; my dad would nudge me. He’d point out dramatic pauses and other tricks the adult pros were doing. He’s also the first person who negotiated a TV contract for me. I studied his tactics while I gobbled a blueberry sundae in the studio cafe!

Also, my stepmother and dad were co-founders of Tokyo International Players. They were theatre people. After any performance (including mine on television) there would be a critique of what worked and what didn’t.

My husband, sister and niece were and are always supportive, too. So touched that even when not feeling great about life, my niece would proudly point out Auntie K’s magic moments.

As for shifting my perspective on life, on myself, great credit goes to Dr. Deborah Bilder, Tracy Parra, Jean Haner and Melanie Mattison. And the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness teachers and bestselling authors, John-Roger and John Morton. I also wouldn’t be here without my angels!

Website: https://www.fiverr.com/storyteller_kim

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theninjabaker/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimknodewatkinson

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/KimWatkinson

Other: https://www.backstage.com/u/kim-watkinson/

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0461263/

Image Credits
Luke Sydow Photography for Comp Card
Jesse Babb for V.A.L.U. Production Shot

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.