LAYON GRAY
Writer/Director

Layon  has spent more than two decades writing, directing and developing stage plays and films that reflect a wide array of cultural movements. A native of Louisiana, Gray moved to Los Angeles in 2000 and quickly ascended as one of the city's premiere playwrights earning more than 60 nominations and awards for his works.

 

Among the honors are: 2021 Broadway World Awards for (Best Director, Best Actor, Best Play, Best Production Of The Year) for his play Cowboy,  2021 NYC AUDELCO Award for Kings Of Harlem, 2019 Detroit Distinguished Playwright Award, 2018 Miami  Carbonell Awards (Best Director, Best Ensemble, Best Production) for his play Kings of Harlem,

 

2016 Broadway League Fellowship Honor, 2012 NYC Inspire Award, 2012, Al Sharpton Man of Vision Award, 2012 PCTF Award (Best Director) 2010 NY AUDELCO Award (Achievement Award for Excellence);

2009 NAACP Award (Best Ensemble Award); 2009 Hollywood ADA Award (Best Ensemble Award); 2008 MATCH-LIFE Artist of the Year;

 

2007 NAACP Award (Best Producer, Best Play); 2007 MITF Award (Best Play, Best Writer, Best Director, Best Producer); 2006 NAACP Award (Best Play); 2005 Hollywood ADA Award (Best Play);

2004 Hollywood ADA Award (Best Play, Best Writer, Best Director); and 2003 Los Angeles MADDY Award (Best Play, Best Writer, Best Director, Best Ensemble),

 

Black Angels Over Tuskegee, his play about the Tuskegee Airmen, ran Off-Broadway for eleven year and is in development for a Broadway transfer 2023/24. The film versions of  Kings Of Harlem, and Cowboy are both in early development as feature films. His latest stage play de MOOR, about a black knight at King Arthur's round table of Camelot, debuted in Pittsburgh  in November of 2021. His two man play about Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx titled Foxx/Pryor will debut Off - Broadway March 2023.  For more information on Lay's work log on to www.LayonGray.com or instagram @LayonGray