The Kizzee COMPANY

 DREAMSTREET STUDIOS

DONN KIZZEE

FOUNDER: DREAMSTREET STUDIOS

Donn Kizzee began his career in entertainment as an understudy for his brother’s firm; who at the time was working with legendary R&B Singer Teddy Pendergrass.

Donn got his first taste of acting in the 11th grade in a presentation of Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun”. Several stage plays followed as well as a touring show of “Fiddler on the Roof. Kizzee moved on from there to the Ensemble Theater; one of the more prestigious Black Theater houses in the country. Donn spent two years working mainly in children’s theater. Donn spent several years on multitudinous productions; everything from “Fiddler on the Roof” to Shakespearean plays. He also worked as an extra in several films and some stage directing. Since then Donn has written over 25 stage plays and directed another 20. One would postulate that Donn has, in one way or another been involved in every production up to and including “The Nutcracker” ballet.

“I loved the theater . I went from there to television where I developed my own interview special “Conversations”

Donn’s idea came from watching the Barbara Walters Special one night and realizing that there were so many stories to be told that would never get the Barbara Walters Treatment. Shortly after the show begin it took on a life of its own. The show was an original and became a  success. Donn has a unique style that has proven impossible to immolate. There have been many that have tried, but to this point, no one has been able to capture that Urban Magic quite the way Donn did. In just over a two year span, “Conversations” had covered stories on individuals, groups, and organizations that span the gambit; everyone from the Temptations, Bishop Desmond Tutu, His Highness, The Crown Prince of Turkey, Rev. Al Sharpton, the Whispers and more. He covered several Broadway shows (Dreamgirls, Beauty and the Beast, Miss Saigon, Rainey’s Black Bottom), and He even sit down with former Vice President Al Gore. Donn was able to accomplish this feat with no major advertising dollars at his disposal. This is truly a testimony to his determination and will.

Donn put the show on hold in 2003 in order to seek major network support. He has recently been in talks with a new satellite network and “Conversations” should be back bigger than ever very soon. In the meantime, One thing that has remained consistent over the years is the fact that Donn’s experience and expertise in the sphere of entertainment has been well sought after, and for good reason. He has had the pleasure of speaking before the Congressional Black Caucus on film related matters. He has consistently been asked about his knowledge of the “how to’s” in the industry. To address these issues on a larger scale, Donn founded “The 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 quest to actualize their gifted potential.

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"II have been fortunate to be in a position to advise and speak to young performers and entertainment business entrepreneurs about developing their road forward. 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 and projects like Chameleon in my view are  the best solutions ."

Donn’s goal is to educate. Clarence Thomas once said, “Education is the second door to freedom. Donn seconds that notion. He boils it down to the hot points and understands the challenges of today’s industry. Donn is extremely committed to making it easier for young and new talent to a get a product developed properly and out to the public.

In Donn’s words, "Today's entertainment industry is about reinvention and flexibility.  To succeed you must constantly proof your relevance to a new and ever changing consumer"

Donn is a man guided by his faith and he firmly believes in the tenets set out in Luke 12:48 “to whom much is given, much more will be required.” With this in mind Donn is committed to giving back. The Kizzee Company and the Chameleon project and its endeavor to lift the homeless of America are just the surface of what can be expected from Donn Kizzee.

In expressing his sentiments, Donn said, “I am excited beyond belief about being the vessel through which God affects the lives of these men and women.