New Horizon Theater Inc. presents “de Moor”
Presented by New Horizon Theater Inc
Written & Directed by Layon Gray
Friday, October 29
7:30pm
Saturday, October 30
3:00pm & 7:30pm
Sunday, October 31
3:00pm
Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave.
Did you know there was a black knight at King Arthur’s roundtable?
As part of their 30th Anniversary season, New Horizon Theater Inc is proud to present de MOOR, written and directed by Layon Grey. De Moor a story of Sir Morein, a black knight and his plight with King Arthur and his knights of the round table’s quest for the mythical Holy Grail, the cup from which Jesus drank at the Last Supper.
ABOUT NEW HORIZONS THEATER
New Horizon Theater, Inc. (NHT) was founded with the mission to bring to the greater Pittsburgh area consistent, high-quality cultural events, reflecting the African-American points of view, and to provide an ongoing venue for ethnic writers and performers to further their professional development.
ABOUT THE WRITER/DIRECTOR
Layon Gray has spent more than two decades writing, directing and developing stage plays and films that reflect a wide array of cultural movements. A native of Louisiana, Gray moved to Los Angeles in 2000 and quickly ascended as one of the city’s premiere playwrights earning more than 60 nominations and awards for his works. Among the honors are: 2019 Detroit Distinguished Playwright Award, 2018 Miami Carbonell Awards (Best Director, Best Ensemble, Best Production for his play Kings of Harlem) 2016 Broadway League Fellowship Honor, 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 MATCH-LIFE 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). Black Angels Over Tuskegee, his play about the Tuskegee Airmen, ran Off-Broadway for eleven year and is in development for a Broadway transfer 2022/23. The film versions of Kings Of Harlem, and Cowboy are both in early development as feature films. His two man play about Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx titled Foxx/Pryor will debut Off – Broadway fall 2022. Follow Layon on instagram @LayonGray. For more information on Layon’s work log on to www.LayonGray.com
ABOUT THE CAST
Kenneth Browning is an actor and SAG-AFTRA member from NYC. He has appeared in a number of independent films, tv shows and music videos. A list of which can be found on IMDB.com. He is also a 2017AUDELCO Award winner for his portrayal of Sterling Johnson in Black Spectrum Theatre’s production of August Wilson’s Two Trains Running. He can currently be seen in Layon Gray’s Black Angels Over Tuskegee. More info @ www.kennethbrowning.com, you can follow him on Instagram @kenneththeone
Lamar K. Cheston is a New York City native, spiritually grounded at New Life Cathedral under the leadership of Arch Bishop Robert J. Rochford, and daily meditates on the scripture “the Lord will perfect that which concerneth me.” (Pslam 138:8) Off Broadway Credits: Kings of Harlem, This Stretch of Montpelier (Best Actor Nominee), Most Dangerous Man in America (Audelco Award Nominee). Regional: The Music Man, ASOLO Repertory, One Night in Miami (City Theatre), Byhalia, Mississippi (Best Actor, Carnegie Stage), Pipeline (Horizon Theatre), Romeo and Juliet, and Oedipus (PICT Classic Theatre). In addition, he has been in a number of commercial, television, and independent film projects. He thanks his family, mentor, and fraternity brothers for their continued support, and leaves you with the statement, “if there is no struggle, there is no progress.” (Frederick Douglass, 1895) www.LamarKCheston.com
Thaddeus Daniels is a native of Wilmington, NC. Born into a military family, he grew up traveling abroad, eventually attending college at UNC – Chapel Hill. A New Yorker now, Thaddeus has performed in many theater productions there and nationally. Cherished productions include, God, the Crackhouse and the Devil with Circle Rep at La Mama, Same Train at St. Marks Theatre, Before It Hits Home at the National Black Theatre Festival Some TV/film credits: SVU.
David Roberts is an AUDELCO award winner for Best Dramatic Lead In A Play. He has starred in Orange Is The New Black, The Blacklist, Daredevil, Wu-Tang: The American Saga, FBI: Most Wanted, Blue Bloods, & the off-Broadway sensation, Layon Gray’s Black Angels Over Tuskegee.