Black Angels over Tuskegee

by Layon Gray

Commonly referenced as the Tuskegee Airmen, these men came together to participate in the Army Air Corps program, which sought to train and prepare African-Americans to fly and maintain combat aircraft. The group included pilots, navigators, bombardiers, maintenance, instructors and support staff personnel who were charged with keeping the planes operable and in the air. The Tuskegee Airman conquered isolation and prejudice to become one of the most highly respected fighter groups of World War II forming the 99th Pursuit Squadron. They proved conclusively that African-Americans could fly and maintain sophisticated combat aircraft. The Tuskegee Airmen’s achievements paved the way for full integration of the U.S. military.

The Play

Angels Over Tuskegee continues to enlighten and educate Off-Broadway audiences after an extended opening. Presently, one of the longest running productions Off-Broadway, originally opening in Los Angeles in 2009 then transferring to New York for a two-month engagement in 2010, the award-winning, historical docudrama is a narrative of six men embarking upon a journey to become the first aviators in the United States Army Air Forces during a tumultuous era of racial segregation and Jim Crow idealism in twentieth century American history. Now in it’s 6TH YEAR Black Angels Over Tuskegee, is inspired by true events. The play uplifts and inspires audiences. The production movingly illustrates how the men unite in brotherhood to achieve a communal vision.

Layon Gray

Layon Gray is a theatrical artist that is captivating audiences with each and every play he writes. Layon has spent more than two decades writing, directing and developing stage plays and films that reflect a wide array of African-American cultural movements, creating new paradigms for the stage and motion picture industry. Since founding Layon Gray Enterprises, He has guided the company’s growth from a privately held theatre company to one of the entertainment industry’s leading independent companies and a veritable theatre box office force. Focusing on creating conversational dialogue in his works, Layon continues to make his mark in traditional African-American theater. A native of Louisiana, Gray quickly ascended as one of Los Angeles’ premiere playwrights earning more than 60 nomination and awards for his works since 2000. Among the honors are 2012 NYC Inspire Award, 2012, Al Sharpton Man of Vision Award, 2012 PCTF Award (Best Director) 2010 NY AUDELCO Award (Achievement Award for Excellence); 2009 NAACP Award (Best Ensemble Award); 2009 Hollywood ADA Award (Best Ensemble Award); 2008 MATCHLIFE Artist of the Year; 2007 NAACP Award (Best Producer, Best Play); 2007 MITF Award (Best Play, Best Writer, Best Director, Best Producer); 2006 NAACP Award (Best Play); 2005 Hollywood ADA Award (Best Play); 2004. Hollywood ADA Award (Best Play, Best Writer, Best Director); and 2003 Los Angeles MADDY Award (Best Play, Best Writer, Best Director, Best Ensemble). His new play The Harlem Rens is also running Off- Broadway. He has a new web-series about Cleopatra currently playing. You watch episodes at www.CleopatraSeries.com. His documentary film Letters Of Tuskegee was recently screening in New York City . For more information log on to www.Layongray.com or you can send him a note via e-mail to layongray@gmail.com.

Cast (March 2015)

	Craig Colasanti (Major Roberts) Craig is a recent graduate of the William Esper Studios two year program. Craig has appeared in several plays including Fat Pig, Bury the Dead, The Pajama Game, and Wait Until Dark.
	David Roberts (Abe) Besides being a three-time winner of the Manhatten Monologue Slam he has been successful in a group of independent films. Hey Diddle Diddle was premiered at the Hollywood Black Festivaland nominated for a voice award
	Jeantique Oriol (Elijah) Jeantique’s Dad is an Actor, I am an actor. I am honored to be in this play with other great actors, great directors and great writers making history. I hope you receive this production in a place to inspire you and generations to com.
	Delano Barbosa- (Percival) a New York professionally trained actor influenced under the discipline of Maggie Flanigan an NYC Neisner Conservatory. Also featured in the “Game Plan” the movie with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson also international acclaimed 2011 MTV music video of the year “Far Away” by Marsha Ambrosious.
	Lamar K Cheston (Theodore) Lamar is a graduate of Hofstra Universary with a bachelor of the Arts in Drama. Spiritually rooted at New Life Cathedral under Bishop Robert Rochford, he thanks God for this tremendous opportunity.
	Thaddeus Daniels – (Man/Narrator) is a native of Wilmington, NC. Born into a military family, he grew up traveling abroad, eventually attending college at UNC – Chap Hill. A New Yorker now, Thaddeus has performed in many theatre productions there and nationally. including God, the Crackhouse and the Devil with Circle Rep at La Mama, Same, Train at St. Marks theatre. Before it hiots home at the national Black Theatre Festival
	Melvin Huffnagle (Jeremiah) A Native of Buffalo NY, Melvin is happy to be on the stage with such a great castin a great play! A product of the University of Florida’s MFA Program. Melvin has portrayed a wide range of characters. Herald Loomis in “Joe Turners Come and Gone”The Duke of Buckingham in Richard lll. Melvin would like to thanks God for giving him the opportunity to share his talent to teach and inspire.
	Layon Gray (Quentenl) Playwright, Actor, and directing