Playwright/Director, Layon Gray
Interviewed by Carol Wood

I met an actor named, Fred Saldone, at the local dog park. He was about to go out of town, "I'm getting married" but he invited me to see his last performance "Meet Me At The Oak" before he left.
"It's about a white family that moves into a black neighborhood and this tree that, well, it's a great play. You should come see it."

Layon Gray on the set of Meet Me At The Oak

So my husband and I went to see, "Meet Me At The Oak" at the Whitmore Lindley Theatre here in Los Angeles. I figured why not? Can't hurt and if it wasn't any good, well it's only $20 bucks each. But what happened was quite unexpected. I attended a performance that was as good or better than many broadway plays I've seen in New York. Fred's part was small but he played it well, all out, no stops. He warned me that he was a "Big Bad Bigot" and he was very believable and very unlike his real personality. Fred told me that if he had said the "n" word at home, his mother would have washed his mouth out with soap. I was so struck by the story line; which made me laugh and then cry (wiped the tears away hoping no one saw me.) I had to meet the author.
Fred introduced me to Layon Gray the playwright and director, a wonderful dynamic individual full of energy and good humor. Layon graciously agreed to an interview.

Q.How old were you when you started writing? Do you remember the first story you wrote?
A. I remember in 5th grade writing my own version of the three pigs. I had the pigs trying to blow the house down—it was funny. Everyone in class liked it. That was my first time actually writing a story. I really didn’t get serious about writing until college. A friend of my mind dared me to a write a gospel play. I went to the Library—checked out a book on how to format a play, wrote it in 2 weeks—and sold it the next day. I was hooked.

Q. What was the name of the first play you sold?
A. The name of the play was “Black Man Get Ready” It dealt with The Million Man March, and how African American men need to stop the violence against one another.

Q. Was it ever performed? How much did you get for it?
A. Yes, it actually was performed at the University I attended—for the student body. They paid me $ 1500 dollars. I know it’s not a lot—but back then I was on top of the world. Everyone really liked it—I actually read it about 3 months ago, and I just laughed. It was—not so good. But it had a message.

Q. What was the catalyst that motivated you to write and what keeps you going now?
A. My family and friends have always motivated me to go on and pursue my dreams. I come from a huge family, but no one has ever left the state. I’m the first to actually move to a different state, so this is a treat for them as well to see me on the screen, or to read one of my reviews. Whenever I send videotape of a movie or play I’ve done--My mom has a neighborhood party, and they all watch it. They’re funny.

Q. Who is the most supportive person in your life and what makes their help so essential to your continued writing?
A. I must say the most important person in my life is my mother. She has cancer, and to see her come out of chemotherapy and radiation everyday – smiling and laughing – ready to take on the world is just incredible. She always told me “good things come to those who wait—but only the things left by the hustle” She inspires me everyday in more ways than one. I write her little bedtime stories—she enjoys those.

Q. Do you use any software to format your scripts or plays?
A. I use Final Cut. I have 2 other programs, but I learned on FC so I’m partial to that program.

Q. What is your educational background?
A. I graduated from the University of Louisiana with a BA in Theatre. Because I direct/write a lot of plays—no one knows me as an actor. It’s pretty funny because acting is my first love. I find writing easy. I never ever took a writing class, and I never will. I don’t want my style to change with what teachers might think is right. I went to a library, read how to format a play, screenplay-- and did it.

Q. Did you have a particular teacher that you felt moved you to become more of yourself and more at ease with revealing the man within?
A. Yes, but it was a different field. Some folks find it hard to believe, but I was an All-state quarterback in high school—people say I don’t look athletic—well I was, and I went to college on an athletic scholarship, one of my coaches Charlie Baker—he really made a huge impact in my life. No matter what, he was there for me. Personal, school, family—I would call him up, and he was there. That meant a lot to me.

Q. How many revisions do you usually go through before you feel you've hit your mark?
A. I don’t have a set of revisions --they vary with each project—sometimes I have stage readings of a play—that’s usually good for audience feed back, but must of time I send it to a few friends I trust, and they give me their likes and don’t likes. For "Meet Me At The Oak," my latest play—I had 6 revisions, and during the rehearsal process—I had another. Just when you think you have it right—actors bring a whole new light to the words, and you’re back at the computer. I love it!

Q. Do you have to stop yourself or are you secure in feeling you have given it your best shot?
A. Until the play is published—I’m always looking for a way to improve on it.

Q. Did you direct each of the 8 plays you have written or is this your first taste of directing?
A. No, I’ve directed a total of 21 plays—7 being mine. Back home in Louisiana, I had my own theatre group, so we would travel to different schools and do plays. It was great. My style of directing is different. In college/high school they teach you not turn your back, not to do this, not to do that—well I do what I want, and it works well. A lot of actors have a hard time breaking those traditional rules—well I love breaking them, and trying new things—and when it's all done—they usually like it.

Q. Have you written any short stories?
A. I’ve dabbled a little bit with short stories. I have been thinking about writing a book as well. The little stories I write for my mother, are renditions of the stories she used to read to me as a kid. Brer Rabbit, Pooh Bear, I just add our names and make it funny.

Q. Your motto is "Film, Television and Theatre for the People" do you think the current media is not satisfying the people's needs?
A. I think we as theatre/movie goers want to leave a venue satisfied with what we have just seen. Most films these days are about special effects. I always said you could never go wrong with a good story, great dialogue, and great characters. When I write a story I think about longevity—I want this play, or film to stay in person’s mind for along time. We remember the great stories forever. Gone With The Wind, Imitation Of Life, A Raisin In The Sun—we remember the good ones.

Jesse N. Holmes plays Jonius Batiste Sr.

Q. How did you go about casting "Meet Me At The Oak" and who selected Jesse N. Holmes - I really loved his portrayal of Jonius Batiste.
A. Casting was very hard. I auditioned at least 300 actors for the roles in "Meet Me At The Oak." As a writer you know when a person walks in the room if they got the look you want. Jesse had that. As a director you say please let him or her know how to act—and you saw Jesse’s creation. He’s a wonderful actor, as well as the rest of the cast. They each bring something new to their characters each week. It’s amazing to watch them. I always tell them— writing it was the easy part; you guys have the hard work. If you give an actor something good to work with – it makes it easy on everyone. That’s the way I look at my writing.

Q. How did you hook up with Award winning producer, Edmund Gaynes and does he intend to bring your play to New York?
A. When I first move to LA three years ago, I was cast in a play Ed was producing which went on to win numerous ADA awards, and a few NAACP nominations. I told him I was a writer, and I was trying to produce a play—he just said okay- the space will be available on so and so dates—can you get it ready by then—well yea! I know it sounds crazy, but it was just that easy to have my first show produced out here. That show went on to receive 2 ADA nominations and rave reviews, and we’ve just been working together since. He believes in my work, and unlike most producers –gives me about close to 100% control on casting, set, design, etc. As far as New York—we’ll see. That’s the plan—we may make a small pit stop in London first.

Q. What was the name of the play you auditioned for?
A. "Niggas With Attitudes And Big Guns." When I first read the posting I said I didn’t want to do anything negative towards African Americans—but when I read the character breakdown—which were all Military roles—I thought it would be interesting. So I auditioned, and got one of the main roles. That play won 4 Artistic Director Awards and I got a Best Supporting Actor nomination. Ted Lange (Love Boat) was the host— started joking about the name—we were practically nominated for every category so he must have said Nigga about 20 times. Was funny.

Q. I read that your father said "You told it right...you told it right" on opening night of, "Meet Me At the Oak" must have felt pretty good to hear the pride in his voice. Has he always had such respect for your work?
A. My dad wasn’t to thrilled when I told him I wanted to give up my football scholarship to pursue a theatre degree. But as time went on, he began to open up. He never really liked to talk much about the hangings he saw as a kid— a few months ago he begin to tell me more stories, about his ordeals with the tree—and how he helped his best friend remove his grandfather from the tree who had been hung for walking on the curb. My dad really likes Meet Me At The Oak—he cried when he read it, and said he really wants to come see the play, all though a lot of this happened during the fifties, its still fresh in his mind, and he doesn't know if he could sit through it. But I want him to see it – when he’s ready.

Q. You're currently working on a new horror production, "The Lost Girl Society?" Is that your latest production and can you tell us something about it?
A. Yea the Lost Girl Society, is a horror movie that’s more character driven than your usual horror pic. It revolves around a journal that has deep roots in Louisiana—dealing with Voodoo rituals. 2 girls on a visit to LA fall prey to an under ground cult of female vampires—so they think. The script is written out of content—we’re very excited about this project.

Q. When can we have our next Layon Gray fix? Where and when will we see your work in the theatre?
A. I’m in the process of casting my next play “Soldier’s Don’t Cry” it’s an all-female play. “In 1969, Fort Carrington Louisiana, 4 women are mysteriously found dead in their barracks during basic training. 34 years later the truth finally comes to light. The play will open mid August at the new Avery Shrievier Theatre in North Hollywood. "Meet Me At The OAK" has been extended for a 3rd time through September, so I’ll have two plays running at the same time—right down the street from each other.

Q. What was the name of that first Play that Ed produced with you?
A. The name of the play Ed first produced for me was called “A Soldier Girl Play” it went on to receive two Artistic Director Achievement nominations. The play that’s opening in August is a follow up to this one.

Q. I remember a time when a young actress I know got a nosebleed in the middle of a production that wouldn't quit. Luckily she was wearing a long sleeve red dress and no one noticed her turning away from the audience to pat her nose with a tissue. Has there ever been any unusual problems or hiccups with "Meet Me At the Oak" or any other of your productions and how did the Show carry on?

Sara Williams (l) her proud Mom and co-star, Tierra Abbott (r)

A. Oh we have had lots of funny incidents that have happened during the run of "Meet Me At The Oak." The one that really stands out is when Sara Williams (plays Ruthie) could not get her dress zipped in the back—we were back stage trying, and trying but it would not zip up—she had to run on stage with her back exposed, and Jesse(Jonius) and Thea-Marie( Selma) were ad lib-ing trying to get her dress zipped – but it wouldn’t. She spent the entire scene walking backwards so her back didn’t show to the audience—was pretty funny.

Q. What advice would you give to a struggling young writer interested in screenwriting or becoming a playwright like yourself?
A. All I can say is keep writing – you know the phrase “a writer writes”. Make sure its good! We have enough crap out there – write something that matters has a unique flavor to it. If it’s good-- Hollywood will come to you. Write at least 8 hours day—treat it like a job—a fun job. There is nothing more refreshing to me than to sit at Layonola (my computer ) with a bag of Doritos, cup of coffee and create. Just persevere—it’ll happen when it happens.

So I guess there's going to be a run on Doritos and coffee at the Supermarket and hopefully a few more plays out there like Layon Gray's "Meet Me At The Oak." If you get to see it, or any of Layon's other plays, you will want to send me and a thank you letter for telling you about his work.
To find out more about Layon Gray, go to http://theoak.homestead.com

(Thanks Fred! Can't wait to see your next performance! Congratulations on your marriage!)

- Carol Wood
Carol@hazelst.com