Daily Inspiration: Meet Kenny Dozier

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenny Dozier.

Hi Kenny, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. I am the 7th of 7 children; I attended college at Florida A & M University in Tallahassee, FL; I graduated with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. My first job out of college sent me here to Nashville, TN. I was working in corporate America. I was here in Church when I was asked to be in a play. I participated, and that’s when my life seemed to open up to the world of acting. Something changed in me; I became uninterested in Corporate America; I found my purpose. I found out who I am and what I am supposed to be doing. Growing up, I never was interested in theater or acting other than in a middle school play I participated in. I got teased so bad after being in the middle school play I never thought about acting again until 2001. Fast forward to today, I am an Actor, Director, Producer, and sometimes all in one.

What happened to me early on was I ended up in a group of passionate young black actors. All very new to the craft. Not knowing what the future holds, I attacked the craft with tenacity. In a very short time, I ended up, in 9 months, in my first Equity show. I noticed that audition opportunities for plays I was interested in were few and far between. So early on, I started a theater company called Hailey Lemuel it dissolved. I started another theater company Nairobi Cafe Theater that had a dinner theater concept. After learning through my experiences with those previous theater companies, I started Kennie Playhouse Theatre (KPT). Starting KPT, I wanted to create opportunities to tell stories on exciting stages and thought-provoking while employing those passionate underserved black actors along the way. We are now some 20-plus plays in producing plays with children and adults. I have always had the drive to impact the community. This is the same drive I found myself creating at Kennie Playhouse Theatre. Our mission is to create acting opportunities for the underserved acting community to perform for diverse audiences. To educate and train youth as well as adults in the craft of acting.

In 2004, Kenny received a “Tennie Award” from the Tennessean newspaper for “Best Supporting Actor” for his role as Hedley in the play “August Wilson’s Seven Guitars.” In 2009, Kenny was nominated for Director of the year by the Old Hickory Theater for his direction of the children’s play “Amazing Grace.” Kenny’s name was mentioned twice in the Wall Street Journal (2016 & 2017) for an “impressive” performance as “Cutler” in August Wilson’s award-winning play “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “Piano Lesson.”

In 2019 Kenny worked in collaboration with Metro Housing Department on teaching Fine Arts with emphasis on set design with youth from the Preston Taylor Public Housing Community. He coined this effort the “Open Book Project.” The project received the “2019 Richie Resident Leadership Award” for having the best public housing community Involvement & Resident Participation. In 2019, after attending the Summer Shakespeare Festival, Kenny approached the Nashville Shakespeare Festival about including a black play from his company KPT. At that time, this 32yr old annual event had never had a black play as part of its Summer Festival. Fast forward to 2021, Kennie Playhouse Theatre and the Nashville Shakespeare Festival were honored by the Nashville Scene with their “Best of Nashville Award” for having the “Best New Arts Partnership.” The paper mentioned that this partnership “reminds us of theater’s distinct ability to bring communities together.”

In 2009, Kenny created the “Kidz Kravings” acting camp. The camp focus on FITNESS-NUTRITION-ACTING. Each day the campers exercise and learn about healthy eating and how it affects their body and acting. Our mission is to create a platform that allows the underserved African American acting community to perform for diverse audiences. To educate and train the youth and adults of all ethnicities in the field of acting. Therefore we offer scholarships to low-income students so that they can attend the camp.

Kenny, Artistic Director of Kennie Playhouse Theater, is happy to announce our 2022-2023 Season theme, “Ladies and Laughter.” Kenny recently, Summer of 2022, conducted a successful “Kidz Kravings” Youth Acting Camp. The camp focuses on FITNESS-NUTRITION-ACTING. KPT will produce the hilarious comedy “The Dance on Widow’s Row” by Samm Art Williams. As part of the Juneteenth Celebration for 2023, KPT will also produce “Front Porch Society” by Melda Beaty. Kenny will direct both plays. Look for a few more theatrical surprises too.

You can catch Kenny this upcoming season, 2022-2023, in the Nashville Children’s Theater production of “The Diary of Anne Frank.” You can also see him in the Nashville Repertory production of “August Wilson’s Fences. We welcome your support as we seek to impact the Nashville community with the medium of theater. To learn more about KPT or Kenny, show your support by visiting our website and signing up on our mailing list or social media. Please don’t forget to donate! For the past 16 years, KPT has produced over 20 play productions and readings under Kenny’s Leadership.

www.kennieplayhousetheatre.com
Twitter.com@kennydactor, Twitter.com@kennieplayhouse
Instsgram@kennydactor, Instsgram@kennieplayhouse
Facebook@kennybdozier, Facebook@kennieplayhouse

We welcome your support as we seek to impact the Nashville community with positive theater. I am so excited about our upcoming season-themed Ladies and Laughter.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been many challenges, finances often being at the top of the list. Trying to network with others can be tricky because sometimes, in my willingness to create these performances, I give my all, but I meet people with hidden agendas that often cause many problems. Those problems are mainly related to greed and deception. I have learned to be patient, prayerful, and sweat the details.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
“Kidz Kravings” acting camp. The camp focus on FITNESS-NUTRITION-ACTING. Each day the campers exercise, learn about healthy eating and how it affects their body, and act. Our mission is to create a platform that allows the underserved African American acting community to perform for diverse audiences. To educate and train the youth and adults of all ethnicities in the field of acting. Therefore we offer scholarships to low-income students so that they can attend the camp. Summer of 2022 recently conducted a successful “Kidz Kravings” Youth Acting Camp; we worked with about 17 youths. The eyes and efforts of these young people were priceless. Watching them accomplish things they did not know they could do when they first entered the camp.

My ability to make so many people feel welcome sets me apart from others. To talk, share and relate to people from all walks of life. My creativity is different. I see the story, the stage, and the actors differently. But when that which I create comes to life, people enjoy it.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Do not let anyone or thing distract you from sharing your gifts and accomplishing your dreams. Just because they do not see what you see does not mean you shouldn’t do it. Live inside the “YES” of God.

Pricing:

• The Dance on Widow’s Row
• Z. Alexander Looby Theater
• 2301 Rosa Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN
• $25 Adv $30 Door
• www.kennieplayhousetheatre.com

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kennieplayhousetheatre.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kennydactor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kennybdozier
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/kennydactor

Image Credits
Pictures by Michael Gomez