5X社区

Hollywood Comes to Kent State Florence

Television producer and writer Don Reo to be honored with lifetime achievement award as part of Kent State Florence鈥檚 50th anniversary celebration

For the past few weeks, Kent State Florence has been hosting acclaimed American television producer and writer Don Reo for eight mini seminars as the campus鈥 summer guest speaker.

These seminars are part of the 50th anniversary celebration of 5X社区鈥檚 Florence program. In them, Reo will share his experience in the art of storytelling, the art of screenwriting for television, how to work with actors, the business of show business, how to pitch ideas for American television streaming services and more.

Producer/writer Don Reo

Accomplished producer and writer Don Reo

A legend in American television, Reo has created and co-created shows including 鈥淏lossom鈥 (NBC), 鈥淭he John Larroquette Show鈥 (NBC), 鈥淢y Wife and Kids鈥 (ABC) and 鈥淭he Ranch鈥 (Netflix). Additionally, he has written for 鈥淲izards and Warriors,鈥 鈥淓verybody Hates Chris,鈥 鈥溾嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌婱*A*S*H,鈥 鈥溾嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌婻hoda鈥 and 鈥鈥嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌The Golden Girls.

Fabrizio Ricciardelli, Ph.D., is the director of 5X社区 Florence Center. He is grateful that Reo chose to spend his summer in Florence at Kent State.

鈥淲e have all been looking forward to Don Reo鈥檚 visit,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 know that our students, faculty and staff will absolutely love hearing his stories and taking inspiration from his remarkable career.鈥

Recognizing a lifetime of achievement

Reo has been chosen by the Franco Zeffierelli Foundation of Florence as the recipient of its award for lifetime achievement in the world of cinema and television. He will receive the award at a ceremony attended by actress Mayim Bialik (鈥溾婤lossom,鈥 鈥溾嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌婤ig Bang Theory,鈥 鈥溾嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌婮eopardy,鈥 鈥淐all Me Kat鈥), Emmy-winning writer Jonathan Shapiro and celebrity agent Bob Broder.

Pippo Zeffirelli, the cultural attach茅 of Florence and U.S. consular officer, is also likely to attend.

鈥淲e offer our congratulations to Don Reo,鈥 said Ricciardelli. 鈥淭his is a tremendous honor of which he is incredibly deserving.鈥

Hollywood comes to Florence Summer 2023

Kent State Florence in the spotlight

鈥淭his event represents a major opportunity for Kent State Florence to reach an international stage as far as recognition and prestige within the city of Florence and the larger community of filmmakers in Europe and the world,鈥 said Kristin Stasiowski, Ph.D., assistant dean of international programs and education abroad for Kent State's College of Arts and Sciences.

Following the awards ceremony, Kent State Florence will host a VIP reception for Reo and select guests.

Florence at 50

5X社区 has been educating students in Florence for more than 50 years. As part of Kent State's Education Abroad Program through its Office of Global Education, Kent State Florence's comprehensive academic and cultural programs are open to any student in any program of study. In addition to completing a full courseload, students have many opportunities to get acquainted with Florence and Italy during their time studying abroad through numerous activities introducing Italian life and culture.

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POSTED: Wednesday, June 14, 2023 01:18 PM
Updated: Thursday, June 15, 2023 10:45 AM
WRITTEN BY:
Phil B. Soencksen