About Us
Producers, Inc. has been serving the entertainment community with excellence since 1980. Our commitment to quality service and steadfast integrity, makes Producers, Inc a leader in our industry. We seek to serve the growing demands of the performing arts community with a diverse roster of amazing and talented, professional artists. Not only does our roster have quality artists but a variety of price points that will meet with any venue size or budget.
Our vision is to continue to be a leader in the booking agency field by being an exceptional supplier of entertainment. Our distingushed reputation preceeds us and we want to continue to grow as a distinctive agency that you can rely on.
Our professional service remains at the edge of innovative service provision and skillful contract expediency. With a spotless reputation of distinctive integrity in our field, we feel certain you will find your experience with Producers, Inc. a peerless chapter in your search for talent.
Meet The Team
Craig Hankenson
Co-Founder
Craig served on the staff of The San Francisco Opera, Chair of the Voice Department of Auburn University, as Associate Director of The Brevard Music Center, Director of Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Executive Director of Wolf Trap Foundation For The Performing Arts, and as Chair of the Department Of Arts Event Management at the University Of South Florida. He is Founder and President of PICASTAR, the corporation which owns Producers, Incorporated and WatchLive, a newly created streaming service for venues and artists alike.
Kathy D. Hankenson
Co-Founder
Kathy was born in Washington, DC and grew up in Arlington, VA. Drama was her interest in high school and her degree major from George Mason University. Employed at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, she was one of the first hired by Producers, Inc. Her experience in the box office and education office at Wolf Trap prepared her for her current management role. Kathy is responsible for PI's social media presence, for corporate policy, artist relations, contracts and sales.
KC Smith
Booking Agent
Office manager/assistant to President, Vice President and Agents. Issuing of ALL contracts between Performing Artists and Presenters, includes tracking of Contracts and Deposits. Presenter and Artist liaison and "part time" Agent. As agent, responsible for contract negotiations and artist tour management. My goals: To provide fast and quality service to our clients as well as our top-notch roster of performing artists.
Specialties: Contract negotiation, tour management, artist management, sales, communication, and conference organizing.
Milt Orkin
Booking Agent
I attended a conservatory music program at Carnegie-Mellon University where I obtained a performance degree in trombone with a secondary specialty of Euphonium and Baritone. I also obtained a double-major in administration and management. I worked as a professional musician for many years with River City Brass, The Balcony Big Band, George Gee Swing Orchestra as well as numerous freelance engagements as both a brass player and a vocalist. I was involved in the management and coordination of touring for my primary employer River City Brass. In 2004 I took a position as a full-time agent with Producers, Inc. in Tampa, FL. I consistently look at new work, for both my own edification and as potential additions to our agency roster. I enjoy being an agent and have been very happy to be a part of the Producers, Inc. family.
Specialties: Contract negotiation, marketing, tour management, artist management, sales, editing, talent identification, conference organizing, grant writing, sponsorship, listening.
Leighton Smith
Booking Agent
Leighton Smith’s constant in life has always been music. Growing up, his mother expressed the importance of music and how it is “food for the soul.” It was in the 3rd grade when he was exposed to the trumpet and ever since, Leighton has actively participated in multiple bands and ensembles. His musical background includes jazz bands, marching bands, county level honors bands and specialty chamber ensembles. With aspirations of becoming a music agent, he knew that experience was key. As part of his senior curriculum at Florida Southern College, Leighton was given the opportunity to intern in Tampa, FL at Producers Inc. as well the startup streaming service WatchLive. From this experience and mentorship with the PI team, Leighton’s assigned tasks included formatting contracts, revamping marketing materials, creating social media posts, and aiding in sales as an assistant. He was hired full-time in May, ’21. His duties will include marketing and overseeing all social media accounts and customer outreach methods and sales.
Don Smith
Tech Guru
Don Smith was born in FL and grew up in Lakeland. He started building computers professionally in ’94. He came to work at Producers, Inc. in 2006. He has stayed immersed in cybersecurity, data recovery, medical storage, system design, broadcast streaming, teaching, learning, stage and multimedia technologies ever since. Don is responsible for all things tech at PI/WatchLive. Never a computer breakdown, or software glitch that he can’t fix. Don spends every opportunity he gets identifying and educating others on Marfan Syndrome and its related medical disorders.