One Nation, One Mission, One Promise is a play that celebrates our unique and diverse citizenship, by featuring ordinary people doing extraordinary things. It is about people who uplift those around them, their community and in the end ultimately leave a legacy that has a lasting, positive impact on future generations.
The people who helped bring One Nation, One Mission, One Promise to the stage are also people who uplift those around them. There were many, and today we will celebrate the wonderful and talented gifts of Layon Gray. He was the person who gave me the inspiration to not only take the play I had written to the stage, but also gave me the courage to produce and direct it.
In 2016 I went to see Layon’s Kings of Harlem at the St. Luke’s theater. I sat there and witnessed on stage the unfolding of all the elements I wanted in my play, and more. Layon Gray is a genius. He wrote, directed, produced and acted in the play. His play!!! It’s an amazing story with great reviews, and I highly, highly recommend you see it. That night I made two decisions, to meet Layon Gray and to direct my play.
To my joy he has since become a dear, dear friend. Layon came on board as a consulting producer and his wisdom and support have been priceless.
You will find on Layon’s website the following statement:
“I have been chosen to tell stories that erupt the soul and shed a beacon of light on those people or things that have been forgotten. To be a conduit from the past to the present – I accept that challenge.”
-LAYON GRAY-
He has done just that for over twenty years, and how lucky was I that the production had him on board. Thank you Layon for sharing your wisdom, your wonderful support, and for being an awesome friend.
Layon also gave me four wonderful insights that I may at times fall short of, but will always strive to achieve:
- To be true to my art and my vision
- To never be afraid to ask for help
- To create a great production, knowing that I can share it in multiple other venues and strive to have each production be greater than the one before
- To be grateful and support the people around me
In one year I have seen four of Layon’s Off-Broadway shows. Think about that, FOUR Off-Broadway plays he wrote, produced and directed. Two he also performed in – Kings of Harlem – as I mentioned before, Black Angels over Tuskegee, Black Sparta and Girls of Summer. What an amazing achievement!
He is also NOW BOOKING!!!!! Black Angels over Tuskegee (the story of the Tuskegee Airmen) for its 2018/2019 touring schedule. Send them an email to BlackAngelsOverTuskegee@gmail.com. #BookBlackAngels #TuskegeeAirmenStoryOnStage You can also see Black Angels over Tuskegee and Black Sparta this summer beginning in June, 2018.
One Nation, One Mission, One Promise celebrates the voices of people who lift humanity with their words and their deeds. Layon Gray’s quote featured in the play is:
“History Deserves the Right to Live”
-LAYON GRAY-
Layon’s plays bring to life ordinary people who did extraordinary things.
Please let us know what you think.
What historical play or character has inspired you?
Who close to you, someone you know personally, is inspiring you today?
I hope you’ll drop me a comment below with your thoughts! And if you have a story, resource or connection to share, that would be fantastic and would love to hear and share.
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