Don Kizzee was first introduced to the entertainment business nearly 40 years ago. “I started in the business as an apprentice to my brother. He had his own public relations firm and I was hooked from the get-go,” he says with a laugh. “Imagine being 13 and hanging out backstage with Teddy Pendergrass. Those were good times.”
The acting bug didn’t hit him until the 11th grade, when he starred in his first play. After that he was cast in several plays and even traveled with different production companies.
“I was a shy kid, so I really got into acting to meet girls. As bad as it sounds, it’s the truth,” says the eligible bachelor. “After I really got into acting, I realized that the money was in production and writing, so that’s what I began to do.”
Young, aspiring performers regularly ask Kizzee for advice. In response to the constant requests, he established the Producer’s Summit. The purpose of the summit is to give young performers direction in their acting endeavors and to help them get closer to realizing their dreams of being on stage and screen.
“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,” Kizzee says. “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.” -jordan jennings
