Layon continues to make his mark in traditional African American theater with Black Angels Over Tuskegee. His natural flow for dialogue  has been compared to August Wilson’s work by many critics and audiences on the east and west coast. As he truly appreciate the comments his  goal is continue to tell true honest stories in his own voice that moves a generation. Born and raised in Louisiana, he has quickly risen as one of Los Angeles premiere playwrights winning  Artistic Director Achievement Awards  for Best Director, Best Play, and Best Author for his critically acclaimed play “MEET ME AT THE OAK”.  He also won 2 Maddy Awards for “Oak…” which included Best Playwright, and Best Director. In 2005 he won an ADA Award for “DIARY OF A CATHOLIC SCHOOL DROPOUT” for best  play in Los Angeles, and was also nominated for a 2005 NAACP AWARD for “DIARY…” and his military drama “SOLDIERS DON’T CRY”.  THE GIRLS OF SUMMER received (6) ADA Nominations and was nominated for (4) NAACP Awards  taking home an award for Best Play. In 2007 he was  named Match-life Artist Of The Year” for theater. He formed THE LAYON GRAY EXPERIENCE which is the umbrella company for DOROTHY SPELLMAN FILMS, and the new LOS ANGELES AFRICAN AMERICAN REPERTORY COMPANY. He has written and directed several films—two features that are currently in post -production, 10 short films, and 11 original plays. He is currently in early development with three of his feature films – “HIP HOP AND LOVE”,  “BREAUX BRIDGE”, which will be shot in Louisiana and the film versions of  “DIARY OF A CATHOLIC SCHOOL DROPOUT” and THE GIRLS OF SUMMER” He has directed plays such as “FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF, FENCES, BEFORE IT HITS HOME, A SOLDIER’S PLAY, MISS EVERS BOYS, MEDAL OF HONOR RAG, A RAISIN IN THE SUN, STEEL MAGNOLIAS”, just to name a few. Layon is currently putting the finishing touches to his epic play “AMERICAN SOUTH” – a true story set during slavery in Louisiana about his mother’s side of the family, His powerful play WEBEIME  performed  in New York in 2008 winning several awards. His next Piece THE HARLEM RENS about the 1939 all Black - basketball team will debut Spring 2010.