Writing is outlet for leukemia survivor

By Stephanie Toone

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Chris Thelen/Staff

Karlton Clay, a writer and director, began to focus heavily on his writing when he was diagnosed with leukemia at 16. He has written two books, five plays and two short films.

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Chris Thelen/Staff

Karlton Clay (left) watches Neal Blair and Simone Wilson during rehearsal for his play The Lord's Prayer. Mr. Clay, 22, has devoted his life to writing plays and books with Christian themes.

Staff Writer

When doctors diagnosed 16-year-old Karlton Clay with leukemia, his first thought was about death. His second thought: write.

"He wanted his laptop at the hospital," said his mother, Sonya Clay. "He really didn't let it get him down. He poured himself into his writing."

Then a sophomore at John S. Davidson Arts Magnet School, he had been writing skits and short stories before reaching second grade. Now 22, Mr. Clay said facing death pushed him to put his vision on film, television and stage.

He has written two books and created five stage plays, two short films and an Internet show. Mr. Clay's Christian-themed works have led some to compare him to actor/filmmaker Tyler Perry. He's hoping his next play, The Lord's Prayer , debuting on Saturday, will catapult him toward Mr. Perry's level of success.

But his journey to success hit a major roadblock in 2002. In March of that year, he was diagnosed with leukemia after his pediatrician noticed he had a swollen liver and spleen.

The son of two preachers and eldest of five children said he had always had a strong relationship with God, and the bad news strengthened that relationship.

"I was fearful of what I wasn't going to get to do," he said. "When I thought of cancer, I thought it was over, but I just had to step out on faith, and reflect on the word."

He devoted his limited energy to writing despite receiving chemotherapy treatments several times a week, he said. Missing out on most of his junior year and enduring the treatments opened his eyes.

"I was headed down a direction that wasn't good," Mr. Clay said. "I was trying to get every girl. Trying to fit in. I really had a transformation."

When his health improved, he reflected on a play he took part in at the age of 12. Speak to My Heart had a theme of the importance of starting a relationship with Jesus, he said. He directed and produced the play for his church. He also began writing his semi-autobiographical play, Leukemia and Me , which was the first production from Mr. Clay's company, Victory Productions.

After graduation in 2004, Mr. Clay enrolled at Georgia State University, where he majored in film and video production. He spent his summers in Augusta writing, producing, directing and starring in the plays that were performed at his church, New Creation Christian Center.

The plays, Judgment Day , Judgment Day 2 and Judgment Day III , often packed the sanctuary of Hillcrest Baptist Church, where New Creation is housed, he said.

The busy college student challenged himself by balancing his summers in Augusta, going to college and working on films and plays during the school year, said his father, Kenneth Clay, who also pastors New Creation.

"We have to tell him to slow down, because he just wants to keep going," he said. "I tell him, 'Rome wasn't built in a day. You have plenty of time.' "

The tight-knit creative staff at Victory Productions helps Mr. Clay carry his load. He has finished two seasons of an Internet show, College Daze , which has had more than 25,000 viewers with the help of promotion on MySpace, Facebook and YouTube, he said. He also wrote and published two books, As the Earth Spins, the Drama Begins and As the Earth Spins, the Drama Continues .

Mr. Clay graduated from Georgia State in May, and now works as a production assistant for NBC Augusta. He is also preparing for his first touring play, The Lord's Prayer .

He plans to stage the play in Atlanta and at other churches in Augusta.

Chazitear Martin, who plays the lead role of Maxine, said she enjoys Mr. Clay's laid-back presence on the set.

"I like his enthusiasm and creativity," she said. "He has a wonderful, imaginative mind, so what he writes makes it easy for us to play these characters."

The themes and success of Mr. Clay's work bear a resemblance to another successful playwright, actor and film director, Ms. Martin said.

"I definitely do see Tyler Perry in him with the television, plays and books," she said. "The blessing that Tyler has on his life has fallen on Karlton."

Mr. Clay said the comparison humbles him, but he wants to make his own path and possibly influence others.

"I just want young people to have something to relate to. They're not going to respond to a preacher beating them over the head with a Bible," Mr. Clay said. "I want to meet them where they are with something visual."

Reach Stephanie Toone at (706) 823-3215 or stephanie.toone@augustachronicle.com.

IF YOU GO
WHAT: The Lord's Prayer
WHEN: 3 and 6 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Hillcrest Baptist Church, 3045 Deans Bridge Road.
COST: free

CHRIS THELEN/STAFF
Karlton Clay, a writer and director, began to focus heavily on his writing when he was diagnosed with leukemia at 16. He has written two books, five plays and two short films. [CAPTION]

CHRIS THELEN/STAFF
Karlton Clay (left) watches Neal Blair and Simone Wilson during rehearsal for his play The Lord's Prayer. Mr. Clay, 22, has devoted his life to writing plays and books with Christian themes.