LAYON

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WYNTER WINS 2008 NAACP THEATER AWARD!!!! Congrats Wynter!SEE A LAYON GRAY PLAY - ANY WEEKEND IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBERLayon Gray received the coveted NAACP Award for Theatre Achievement for his play The Girls of The Summer. Quickly gaining recognition as one of the hardest working artists in the Los Angeles area, he has been rewarded with loyal audiences for his efforts in keeping African American theatre alive and thriving. Having created the Los Angeles African American Repertory Company in 2003, the theatre has been responsible for continuing to provide provocative work exploring life from the Black perspective.Unapologetic about writing through the prism of a particular cultural lens, his plays are embraced by all races and nationalities because of the honest exploration of universal themes together with his eclectic directing and choreographing skills.Since it was founded in 1967, Negro Ensemble Company has produced more than 200 original plays, providing a theatrical home to more than 4000 actors, theatre artists and stage technicians. The NEC is known worldwide for its commitment to theater excellence and has been nominated for and won dozens of honors and awards, including The River Niger (Tony Award); First Breeze of Summer (Tony-nominated, Outer Critics Circle Award, Obie); Home (Tony-nominated, Outer Critics Circle Award), and A Soldier's Play (Pulitzer, Tony, Obie, Drama Desk Awards). The NEC counts among its alumni some of the best actors in television and film, including Phylicia Rashad, Denzel Washington, Hattie Winston, Samuel L. Jackson, Angela Bassett, Louis Gossett, Jr. and Barbara Montgomery, among others. According to Dr. George A. Williams, Jr., Chairman of NEC's Board of Directors, the company's 40th anniversary season is being billed as its "Regeneration Season," with the a full-slate of three productions for the first time in several years, a new performance venue, several new members on the Board of Directors, and new funds dedicated not just to stage productions, but new office equipment and support materials, as well as a new Managing Director for the company. New NEC Board member Patrick Bradford, a partner with Wall Street's Davis Polk law firm, states,"In our 40th Anniversary, "Regeneration Season," NEC is proud to be in residence at the Harlem School of the Arts for the first time in our history. The opportunities for community ties have increased exponentially simply because of where we are now. "NEC is a powerful brand because for decades we produced powerful and relevant theater. This legacy will continue under our new board of directors and, most importantly, our artistic leaders Charles Weldon and Oz Scott who collectively bring over 80 years of experienced artistry to our company. "NEC's expanded artistic vision fits the current state of black America and people of color throughout the world. Therefore we will be doing new plays, NEC classics, New York premiers, Shakespeare, American classics and American premiers of international plays. We will also develop black composers for the America Theater.For more information, go to: http://www.NECINC.orgNEW PLAY FROM LAYON GRAY TO OPEN AUGUST 2008BLACK ANGELS OVER TUSKEGEEThe Black Gents will present their follow up to WEBEIME. A World Premiere written and directed by Layon Gray.BLACK ANGELS OVER TUSKEGEE The untold story we haven't heard about The Tuskegee Airmen. The families and friends they left behind to fight for freedom and the way we live.see the promoA PRODUCTION YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS!!!would love to meet my great, great grandfather-- who led a slave revolt in Louisiana in 1822.Want to know what was going on in his mind at the time. He was also a writer-- maybe thats where I get my vivid imagination. LAYON GRAY WINS 3 THEATRE AWARDS FOR MEET ME AT THE OAK

Music:

Layon's Powerful Play "MEET ME AT THE OAK" winner of (4) ADA Awards including Best Director, Best Playwright, Best Play, Best New PlayGet Your Own! | View SlideshowONE OF LAYON'S CRAZY SHORT FILMS ..

Movies:

Some old photos hanging out with the brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi back in Louisiana.,

Television:

See The promo for WEBEIME - Layon Gray's powerful New Play, and Pics from NEW YORK. The play ran in New York March 28th - May 4th. Now in talks to go to London.Critics agreeded its the most powerful much needed play of the year."poetry in motion...incredibly vivid movements, in a multi-faceted fashion. The entire show is a layered labyrinth, with the despair running deep...When the young man as a child begged his father, "80 seconds of your time is all I ask," tears came to my eyes " - NY THEATRE - Kat Chamberlain"Webeime is a warrior cry after the bloody battle has been fought and survived... the performers are charismatic,Gray's directing elicit some strong performances from his fellow cast. Cindy Pierre - NY THEATRE CORPS"WEBEIME would break your heart if it weren't so busy trying to heal it.No doubt NAACP Award-Winning playwright Mr. Gray's work will find an appreciative audience everywhere that people ask the question, "Why me?" He's got what it takes" - Deborah S. Greenhut - OOBR - NEW YORKA PROMO FORM WEBEIME ( September 9th)PICS FROM LAYON GRAY'S NAACP AWARD WINNNG PLAY "THE GIRLS OF SUMMER"href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LnNsaWR lLmNvbS9waXZvdD9pZD03MjA1NzU5NDA0MTc4MzQwMSZjeT11biZ0dD0wJmF 0PTAmbWFwPTI=" target="_blank"> A SCENE FROM "THE GIRLS OF ST. CHARLES ACADEMY

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LAYON GRAY TO WRITE A MOVIE ABOUT DAVID RUFFIN David was the front man for the group "The Temptations" David Ruffin was one of the most recognizable vocalists to have emerged from the Motown Records stable.David Ruffin died in tragic circumstances following an overdose of crack cocaine in 1991

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