LAYON GRAY
"Playwright Layon Gray has a gift for turning a wide range of stories from Black history into engaging, thought-provoking 21st-century drama."
- Miami Herald
WRITER/DIRECTOR
Layon is dedicated to creating and directing stage plays that capture the essence of diverse cultural movements. Originally from Louisiana, Layon relocated to Los Angeles in 2000 and quickly made a name for himself as one of the city's top playwrights, earning an impressive 60 awards and nominations.
Some notable accolades include: the 2019 Detroit Distinguished Playwright Award, the 2018 Carbonell Awards for Best Director, Best Ensemble, and Best Production.
The inaugural Broadway League Fellowship honor 2016 where he had the opportunity to work in the office with Broadway producers Sue Frost and Randy Adams as they developed the Broadway hit Come From Away, the 2012 NYC Inspire Award, the 2012 Al Sharpton Man of Vision Award, the 2012 PCTF Award for Best Director. The 2009 NAACP Award for Best Ensemble, and the 2009 Hollywood ADA Award for Best Ensemble. He was also named the 2008 MATCH-LIFE Artist of the Year.
Layon’s play Black Angels Over Tuskegee, about the Tuskegee Airmen, has become a global hit and is currently on tour around the world. It has even been performed privately for several National Football League teams such as the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, and Los Angeles Chargers.
Currently, Layon is developing a new musical, titled New Orleans, in Manhattan's BMI Musical workshop. He is finalizing details for his two-man play featuring a meeting between Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx called Foxx/Pryor. A workshop performance is planned for the spring of 2025.
His production Cowboy, a play about Bass Reeves, the first black U.S. Deputy Marsal is currently playing Off-Broadway and is the first full western show to be produced On or Off-Broadway in nearly 80 years.
His new play Feed The Beast, which sheds light on the Tuskegee Medical Experiments, premiered in July at the International Black Theatre Festival to stellar reviews and will have a regional run in February 2025 at the Public Theatre in Pittsburgh produced by New Horizon Theatre.
For more information on Lay’s work log on to www.LayonGray.com or follow him on Instagram @LayonGray.
