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Have You Seen This Man?... |
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Written by Administrator
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Sunday, 23 October 2005 |
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Have you seen this man?
-Don Kizzee - A man of much talent
By TRP STAFF
Don Kizzee has been on and around stages since he was seven years old. If you are involved in the Houston entertainment business, you have probably been fortunate enough to run across him at least once.
"I was the kid in school you know the one everybody hated that got called out of class to be on program. That was me; I wrote my first play at nine and directed it. I did not however learn that this could be a Career until several years later."
Donn started back in the 70's as a PR understudy for his brother's firm who at the time was working for R&B singer Teddy Pendergrass. Donn's career began in the 11th grade It began in a presentation of Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun'". Several stage plays followed and a touring show Fiddler on the Roof. From there to the Ensemble Theater one of the predominant Black Theater houses in the country where he spent two years working mainly in children's theater. He worked as stage actor for a number of years and doing everything from "Fiddler on the Roof” to Shakespeare. He worked in some extra bits in film and did some directing for the stage. Don Kizzee has written over 25 stage plays and directed another 20. It appears that he has done everything up to and including "The Nutcracker" ballet.
"I loved the theater but the demands of continuing to travel and not making a consistent living caused me to seek more stable situation. I went from there to television where I developed my own interview special "Conversations"
The idea came from watching a Barbara Walters Special! One night and realizing and visualizing how many stories could be told this way but would never get the 'Barbara Treatment.'
The show took a life of its own; it was original, and a success. No one has been able to copy Donn Kizzee's style in the urban format since. In a little over 2 years 'Conversations' had covered everyone from the Temptations to Bishop Desmond Tutu, His Highness The Crown Prince of Turkey, Al Sharpton, not to mention the Whispers, Jade, several Broadway shows {Dreamgirls, Beauty and the Beast, Miss Saigon Ma. Rainey's Black Bottom}, and Former Vice President Al Gore. All of this with no major advertisers and no major budget.
The show stopped in 2003 in order to seek major network support. Recently in contact with a new satellite network, 'Conversations' should be back bigger than ever. In the meantime, he can keep himself busy with "The Promise" A positive message daytime talk series in development aimed at young people designed to help them attain the success and life enhancement they need hosted by Dr Oswald Scott a former Superior court judge and based on his soon to be released book of the same name.
Throughout the years, one thing for certain, Donn's experience in the communication arts, is well sought out. He has had the pleasure of speaking before the Congressional Black Caucus on film related matters. He has consistently been asked about "how to's" in a variety of areas so in 1999 he created and is continuing to develop a series of informational seminars under the name "Producers Summit" a gathering of his friends, and Producers from all different genres together under one roof for the purpose of guiding young performers in their path to 'performers actualization.'
First guest speaker at the last Producers Summit was Chuck Sutton producer of "Showtime at the Apollo". Many people are seeking the Producers Summit as a traveling, national program. So many more rising stars could benefit from this compilation of a wealth of experience in the American Entertainment Industry.
"I am always so busy consulting and working with various young companies and talents speaking at industry events and addressing film and television related issues. There is so much talent the world will never see because it quit out of frustration and the lack of information especially in the minority community. The Producers Summit is the best solution to do something about it."
Donn's goal is to educate. He boils it all down to the hot points. He understands the challenges of today's industry. He is dedicated to making it an easier ride for talent to get a product developed properly and out to the public.
"Young talent should not have as difficult a road as mine, I want to teach, to keep the industry honest, and keep the talent focused. That is why I call the company Dream street because I believe as Dr. King said "When your dreams die you die"
In Donn's words:
"I came from a theatrical background and spent many years as a working theater actor. My goals know are to open the doors for more minorities on the production and distribution side of the business, and as I said to a conference I spoke at recently be the "Black Dick Wolf". I say that because I believe he is the best "Storyteller" in prime time currently. As a by product of the above I created "The Producer's Summit" (a goal of mine is to make this a national traveling program that moves from city to city ) It combines film, television, and music in a weekend seminar and performance opportunity in a designated city aimed at reaching young people trying to start show business careers. I am constantly being approached by young producers and talent about how to sell their ideas for shows, and scripts and so forth. I would love and opportunity to relocate to a market that is a better size TV market."
If you think that is enough, and you are starting to feel like a couch potato reading this, better think again. Donn's versatility has led him to co-produce a country music special in Jamaica a syndicated lifestyle program for national distribution.
"The Good Life" a fresh blend of music celebrity interviews and fitness tips hosted by award winning television personality and former Fox national correspondent Darain Ward. It is good family entertainment ideal for a syndicated strip, or daytime stand alone. A "backstage pass to the latest in celebrity doings, fashion, personal fitness and music and lifestyle news. The demographic is 20 to 45.
Also, he is currently representing a cartoon strip (pilot being done as we speak) and a Best selling Author Valerie Rose Nominee for Minnesota "Book of the Year" for her children's book series "The Triangleheads" that we are currently being developed into a cartoon strip as well as the film rights to her hit novel "Cappuccino in the Winter" and the Upcoming "Footsteps in the Dark" series pilot. A line of ancillary products (cd's, figures, coloring books, etc is also being developed for release) |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 02 June 2006 )
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