THE LAYON GRAY FILES

Day 8

2010-02-03T12:45:00.001-08:00

Jan 30th, 2010

what a great night!!! Another standing ovation. NY audiences are really enjoying the play. NY is tricky, as these are true theatre goers. Unlike LA which is mostly a film town, theatre audiences are mostly friends, and family. It's great for me to see total strangers have that same feeling as if they were my family. This play is very important- its a part of history that is not in history books, and feel good to share my version of these incredible men. I'm sitting at Starbucks writing this and i have the " Black Angels Over Tuskegee" on the back of my computer--- and a woman just past my window-- saw the sticker, and gave a thumbs up. She say the play on Friday. WOW! Word is getting out. She talked to me for an hour about how it affected her , and her father- who was a WW2 veteran. They will be back next week she said- and bringing a group of veterans to see it. These are the type of moments that you truly appreciate.

See ya in the city

Lay

Day 7

2010-02-03T12:36:00.000-08:00

January 30th, 2010

first preview night was awesome. A few mishaps but the audience never knew. We still have alot of work to do before the first critics come. I have never been a critic type of person. It's sad but true- especially in NY , a critic ( one person's opinion can make or break a show) All that hard work you put into from creation to fruition can come crumbling down on one person's opinion. Getting a great review is wonderful, however - when the audience leave the theater, and are moved- by what they saw- and cant wait to see it again, and again - that is my great review. i write for the people, and i hope i have been doing a good job for the past 10 years. (lol) I love what i do-- there is nothing else i would rather be doing. nothing. Its wonderful put a smile, or bring a a tear, and just allow the audience to live through your words. Its a beautiful thang.

See ya in the city

Lay

Day 6

2010-01-30T12:22:00.000-08:00

January 29th, 2010

Today is show time!!! I called an early rehearsal to knock out a few kinks... which ending up being a nightmare. Had to redo lights, set, couldn't find props, uniforms... SHIT! Today isn't starting out to well! I took a deep breath - got into my Kappa smooth mode and begin to do what i do. I got everything under control, calmed the actors down, and everything begin to flow. Show time!!! first preview night! The audience was ready and excited to see this new play. Just as we were about to hit the stage, we found out another original Tuskegee Airmen had passed away for a few hours earlier. Lee Archer. This made this performance that much more special. Out of 994 of the Tuskegee airmen only about 60 are still alive. I feel blessed and honored to have written this play in their honor. We perform ACT 1 - the audience is loving it - laughing where they should, living in each moment. Lights drop for ACT 1 ( 50 minutes) - a roar come from the audience. Okay- they are digging it... nice. Lights rise for ACT 2. ( 1hr 20 minutes) ACT 2 is a bit longer, will they continue to hang on each word... yes. Curtains drop end of play-- and the audience is on their feet with a standing ovation. Nice. after the show - we went in audience to thank everyone for coming out. Tears of joy could still be seen in their eyes. If you saw the play in LA - you know what I'm talking about ( not wanting to give away to much in play) Yup-- tonight was a good nite. I'm hoping to continue to touch people with these words.

see ya in the city,

Lay

Day 5

2010-01-30T12:07:00.000-08:00

January 28th, 2010

Breakfast was wonderful. Well- lunch I'm still trying to adapt to this east coast time-- I ate at 1pm. Going to sleep at 4am ( which is 1am on the west side) I have to get used to this... quick. My body it telling me to rest, but there is no time!!! So much work to do. Today was the coldest day i have ever witnessed in my life. It felt like someone was stabbing me in my face, hands, body with tiny needles. I could barely walk-- an elderly woman let me know i was moving too slow-- she push past me knocking me against the wall yelling..." MOVE IT MISTA!!!"I don't see how people could go out in this weather. GEESH! I'm thinking about getting a permanent home on the east coast.. but today has given me second thoughts. LA can get crazy at times- but i love 80 degree weather!!!! Rehearsal today was much better. Our first preview night is tomorrow

( Friday) so everyone is eager and excited to get in front of a live audience. We were scheduled to rehearse from 3pm to midnight- the guys did so well, I let them leave early... 11:55pm. I'm really excited to preview the show. A New York is where I always wanted to see my work ... so here it is. I'm looking forward to it!!!

See ya in the city

Lay

DAY 4

2010-01-28T11:25:00.000-08:00

January 27th

Oh... today was not a good day. Ice Cube lied! Took forever to get into NY from Jersey, had an early meeting and didn't have time to get my coffee--- I know at that moment the day was going to be shit! My thoughts proved me right. Go to theatre, and did our first run through. it was horrible, my head was pounding, from all the missed cues. Oh - rewind - I forgot to mention, before i left LA I found out i had a blot clot in the calf of my leg. It had been hurting for 2 months, but me being the athlete i figured i could ice/heat it down, and fix it my self ( didnt know it was a clot at the time) . Finally i went to the hospital and was told this news. They told me it was good i came in-- people die from clots -- and my leg /foot was swollen so big it looked like 2 legs combined into 1. So i made it in time ( what they said) any hoo - they gave me shots, and and told me not to fly to LA until a week later than i was supose to be there. That was out of the question, and I'm glad i didn't- otherwise i would be getting to NY today- to all this nonsense. They gave me coumiden to help thin my blood - to clear the clot. Its still swollen a little, but is going down daily. all this NY walking isn't helping it though-- but what can i do? They also subscribed vicodin for pain, which is why I'm telling you this story-- back to reality - during the missed ques rehearsal i took 2 of the vicodin ( DAMN) They work! felt groggy and and headache went away in 3 minutes. so we get through the rehearsal - I scream at the guys - voice my concerns. I have to do this sometimes - They'll be fine- best group I ever directed, but sometimes they digress to kids. Everyone agreed tomorrow will be the best rehearsal ever. GREAT! So we ended and headed home. Got to Jersey about 1:15am - knocked on the door - no answer. Knocked again!!! No answer. went to the back door, to knock just in case Antonio was asleep. Derek ( actor in show) is staying at the Brownstone with us now, so we both are stuck in the cold...FREEZING!!! I said" Hey Dee.. lets go back to the front door and wait." suddenly 2 police cars come swarming in the drive away. " GET YOUR HANDS OUT YOUR POCKET." is what they screamed. They Begin commanding us to do things. Derek was pleading telling them we live there etc... I was too out of it from the pills to say anything. Suddenly 3 more cars came! SHIT! I was like okay - they got they're hands on their guns - i could get shot! and bullets probably hurt-- not to mention are deadly -- so i get concerned. suddenly neighbors come from around the corner- saying they through we were trying to break in -- didn't know ... blah, blah. so they left - neighbors apologized. Today sucked! Well one thing i know for sure-- Jersey cops come FAST AS HELL!!! LA cops need to take lessons!

See ya in the city

Lay

Day 3

2010-01-27T12:07:00.000-08:00

January 26th 2010

Roll em in a circle of ni^&#r# and watch me break em With the seven, seven-eleven, seven-eleven  Seven even back do' lil Joe. I picked up the cash flow Then we played bones, and I'm yellin domino.

In the words of the great Ice Cube - TODAY WAS A GOOD DAY.  My Birthday!!!

I was able to fix the whole postcard/brochure situation, had to find a new printer - however its in the mail. Had my usual morning coffee/bagel and then headed to the theater. Dave ( who is in the play and also designing the lights) met me their. He suggested i Tell the cast to come an hour later, b/c they would only be in the way. The light plot i have for the play is literally a 6- 7 hour gig to set up. as most of you know in all my plays I use lighting and music as a character in the play. I guess that's my equivalent to spike Lee frequently placing actors on dollies to achieve a gliding or rotating effect. Its my thing, that sets my work apart from others I guess. So we begin designing the lights - 3 hours in - here comes my actors, and sure enough - they have a billion questions for me. i quickly guided them to the dressing room, whereas we could hear them singing ( Thom, Demetrius, and Lamman swear to God they are the new Temptations) I think not. but you can't tell them that. especially Thom. So we finish at 8pm. And to my surprise - Lamman takes all the actors out to celebrate my birthday. It was a good time at B. Smith's in Manhattan. around ten when i though it was over - a huge red velvet cake ( which is my favorite) was brought out to me as the entire restaurant sang happy birthday. Was real special. I thanked everyone for their dedication to my work, and taking this journey to New York with me. they all begin to say " well time to go home." and i had to immediately stop them . I t was time to rehearse. well we hadn't worked on anything today ( just lights) right? and plus , i needed to knock out some kinks in act 2. so they wobbled full bellies and all to the theater. We worked for a few hours, and then i sent them on their way. Yup. Birthdays are wonderful. That's why i have 2 per year.

See ya in the city

Lay

Day 2

2010-01-26T09:39:00.000-08:00

January 25th 2010

The day begin with a bagel and a vanilla latte with a pinch of cinnamon. I sat in the local Starbucks enjoying the day - checking emails - and one in particular really stood out. It was an email from the print company - saying "ATTENTION PLEASE CONTACT." I was hoping the email wouldn't say - we had a problem with all your show promotional materials because we need it NOW! So I cautiously opened the email and it said... "we had a problem with all your show promotional materials." I immediately contacted them, and they said 2 of the files were formatted wrong, and wouldn't print to their dimensions. No sweat-- i created them ( another little side thing i do- graphics) i was smart-- i emailed the files to myself- just in case this would happen. I created them on my MAC - which is a tower and wouldn't be able to bring to NY, so o converted to a pdf. well- I emailed myself the wrong- F%@#in& files! UGHHHHHHHHHH!!!! so I HAD TO START FORM SCRATCH!!! it took me from 9am - 5pm to fix the files. GREAT! It's done - so now i can email them the correct sizes, and have the materials sent over night... right? WRONG! The files were 2 big to go to their site! UGHHHHHHHHHH!!! Now they are closed. so i cant deal with this until tomorrow. i go to the bar next door to get a drink- b/c i need something a little stronger than coffee to calm my nerves. ( just a beer) it worked. So I meet the cast at Dallas BBQ in time square at 7pm to at before our 10pm rehearsal. Everyone made into NY safe, and was eager to get started on the reh process. We enjoy a nice dinner - then head over to 46th St to rehearse. Walk in all our packages have arrived! NICE! A immediately look at their instruments ( lights) b/c they play such a huge part in the mood of the play. I thought I would have to hang a few to get the specials I needed on actors - but every thing was positioned perfectly. The night is going well. we jump on stage an Begin to re block a few things ( stage has a weird shape) so I had to adjust a lot of the blocking. It was great. Everyone did their jobs-- I look at my watch and it says 11:15am -- I m like cool - we have lots of time until Thom ( actor in show ) whispers to me ... its almost 2. GEEZ! I'm still on LA time ( lol) but the guys didn't complain-- they were having fun. so i stopped the rehearsal at 2am. I forget I'm not in LA- and can drive everywhere-- I'm using the train system -- and this shit takes forever!!! I got in Jersey City at 4:45am - and have to be back in Manhattan at 8:30am for a meeting with one of the press agents. Ohhhhhhhh for the love of theater.

Lay

Black Angels Over Tuskegee ( NY) day 1

2010-01-25T14:08:00.000-08:00

Many of you have wished the cast and myself a safe journey to NYC as we present my show

" Black Angels Over Tuskegee" on the east coast. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all of your kind words and support, as we perform this important play. I've decided to write down and keep you informed on my daily thoughts, concerns, and everyday life with the show in New York. Feel free to respond with questions, suggestions and what ever you want to say. nothing is too crazy, or to insane to say. I will post everything... within reason. :) So lets begin.... I'M IN NEW YORKKKKKKKKK!!!

DAY 1. January 24th 2010

I was excited to be leaving Los Angeles to present my show, and introduce my version of The Tuskegee Airmen's story to all the New Yorkers. I love NY, but have never been here during the winter... only summer. I didn't google information about the weather b/c I wanted to be surprised by all the snow laying all over the streets , cars and buildings. I dressed with my best snow clothing, climbed on the plane and landed in the Empire State at 4:15pm. I looked out the window of the plane, and my smile quickly faded as instead of snow, all I saw was rain. And being from Louisiana, I love rain- its just that I just left sunny LA whereas it rained for 5 days straight. Being as though I have never seen snow in my life I was looking forward to it. Guess

i 'll have to plan a big bear trip-- like I always say I will and never do :( I'm hoping to see NY snow though. SO... I get off the plane get my bags and head to the airtran station to take the train to Jersey City ( where I'm living) Antonio, who plays one of the characters in the play - we are sharing a house. we get directions, and head to Jersey. Everything was going fine, until we found out the trains switch routes on the weekend in NY, and we were headed in the opposite direction. so that takes us 45 minutes off course, until we Finally figure out where the hell we were and head towards the PATH train station to Jersey. we make it. about 8pm. Yup-- took 4 hours! But we're excited.YES! Feeling great! As we got off the train, and walked outside it was pouring raining. No big deal, so we were told to take a small bus to our location which was a 5 minute ride, and a 15 minute walk. was raining so walking was out of the question. we wait 20 minutes for the small 20 person seat bus, and the driver immediately told us we couldn't get on it b/c of all of our bags. ( had a long line of people behind us a little pissed) Antonio argued, and me being in the celebration part of my life, I said lets take a taxi. Which is what we should have done at first, begin as though the house is only a few miles away.. literally about 5 bucks-- for a taxi--more than the bus ride ( he wanted to charge us per bag - said each bag would have to be treated as a riding passenger. Crazy.. I know. So we walk around the corner-- locate the taxi area. Antonio walks up to the first cabby... tells him we're going to ( address) the cabby said " that address don't exist" then pulls off fast! we were like whoaaaaaaa. Antonio had mixed up the cross streets... NO biggy. So we spot another ... run up to him in the rain... ( we are drenched) tell him where we're going... he looks at us like we're crazy.... and pulls off. I was like damn! Is this house in the hood!? Or is it true that taxi's don't stop for tall black men ( lol) Come to find out... since we were only going a few miles away-- they wouldn't make any money.. so no one wanted to take us. After numerous other tries to no avail.. one cabby was off duty. Antonio walked over..pleading ( begging).. I hid behind a building so he would think it was only one person... The taxi agreeded, and Antonio waved for me to come. The driver looked a bit upset, as I ran over with my 4 bags, ( total 8) but hey... we were finally rolling. The fare was only $4.25. I tipped him well. Got our stuff went inside the brownstone, turned on the television and saw my New Orleans Saints holding up their victory trophy. Just when you think your day has been shitty... something happens and makes you appreciate life!Yeah... New York City. You gotta love the people. Stay tuned.

lay

LOVE, MONEY OR SOMETHING ELSE?

2008-12-15T12:18:00.000-08:00

Every time about this year Im approached by several people, companies asking me to sell them a property. For those who are new to the industry a property is what we hollywierdos ( thats what I call everyone in this business- including myself) call a script. All my friends tell me I get attached to my works and don't want to let them go- which is not the case. I feel If create something, and put my heart, soul, sweat, tears into I have earned the right to say what i want to do with it. I write plays, screen plays for the world to see - however, pay me accordingly. Is that asking to much? I didn't get into this business for the money-- I was raised by a middle class working family whereas every penny counted, so money has never been an issue with my works-- most of my friends will tell you - I could/should have been a millionaire 3 times by now - but choose to turn down various offers- that most people would have jumped out of a window for. We all have a purpose in this world. Not until a year ago - I was lost-- had no clue what I was here on earth to do. And then one day it came to me-- JUST LIKE THAT - BAM! I understood, and I knew right at that very moment - why God place me here - I knew my purpose of living -- my purpose of life. But you ask Layon, what does this have to do with people wanting to pay you for your work? Don't misunderstand-- I love money, I love the fact that someone are people are willing to pay for my works. That in itself is a blessing-- however- I know my worth -- and I cant sell out my integrity for a few pennies. What do you think?