Mart Crowley’s groundbreaking play The Boys in the Band defined a moment in American history. Director Crayton Robey explores that history in Making the Boys, a documentary that debuted at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival.

Robey gave some insight about what fuels his creative process..

1. The latest book or movie that made you cry?

Slumdog Millionaire. That brought some tears to my eyes. You see people going through such horrific hardships. Your little daily life and your little issues, they mean something, but in the scheme of things, we are so blessed.

2. The fictional character most like you?

When I was an actor, I loved playing Alan Strang in Equus. Like Alan, I have a passion for life and a passion for art, theater and film.

3. The greatest album, ever?

Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life. It captures your imagination. It’s romantic, it’s a little political, it’s classic. That has a lot of wisdom for me.

4. Star Trek or Star Wars?

I’m not really a Trekkie or a Warrie. If I would have to pick, maybe Star Wars but I don’t really know why. I’m not really a fan.

5. Your ideal brain food?

I’m thinking of something like kale with ginger, garlic, a little olive oil and a little lemon. It cleanses everything and it gets your palette fresh and it’s easy to digest. The taste is great.

6. You’re proud of this accomplishment, but why?

I guess I’m sentimental but I’m proud of this country at this particular moment. People are really paying attention to their environment, their world, their communities, their politics, education. This is deep. This is an interesting moment. People are enlightened. I kind of dig being on the planet right now. People aren’t walking around asleep. They’re totally awake.

7. You want to be remembered

for . . .?

My honesty. My truth. I don’t care if I’m really remembered for my warmth, that really doesn’t do anything for anybody but if I leave a little bit of the truth, that’s enough. My respect for people and things and the past.

8. Of those who’ve come before, the most inspirational are?

Martin Luther King, Jr. Gandhi. My friend Al D. Rodriguez was outstanding. My grandfather because he was powerful and loving.

9. The creative masterpiece you wish bore your signature?

Honestly, Alex Haley’s Roots. I wish that I had done that, giving people that opportunity to discover themselves and their culture. I think he provided the world with a gift about African-American culture, society, tradition. I think he laid it out really nicely, I just wish it had been me!

10. Your hidden talents ...?

I do have a lot of talents. I think I’m just a creative being. I don’t know if they’re really hidden. I’m a good sneezer. It would get me out of class in school, I know that.

11. The best piece of advice you actually followed?

You are enough. Just do you. Don’t do anybody else.

12. The best thing you ever bought, stole, or borrowed?

My education is the best thing.

13. You feel best in Armani or Levis or ...?

I feel very comfortable in clothes. I don’t care what they are. I can go from Levis to Armani in a second. I am a clothes-horse. I love fashion. I love dressing up, dressing down, dressing in.

14. Your dinner guest at the Ritz would be?

I’d have my friends Sara Ramirez, Carson, Marlow, Lisa, Carlos, Darcey, Harriett, and Christopher there. I’d have Oprah Winfrey there. I’d have Barack Obama there. I’d have Michele Obama there. Beyonce. It’d be a nice dinner party.

15. Time travel: where, when and why?

I’d go back to the ’70s. I’d want to be everywhere. I think that was such a sexy time to be alive and I just want to know what that felt like. I want to know what it felt like being a man coming of age at that particular time without knowing anything about AIDS, with this whole introduction of life that you can do and be anything.

16. Stress management: hit man, spa vacation or Prozac?

Spa vacation. It just does it.

17. Essential to life: coffee, vodka, cigarettes, chocolate, or ...?

Love is essential. Nothing else.

18. Environ of choice: city or country, and where on the map?

New York City . . . is my all-time favorite place. I love the diversity of people and cultures. I love the energy . . . the magic, the history, the pulse, the beat, the smell, the excitement, the hunger, the grime, the dirt, the possibility, the edge, the heart, soul, the pace. I love the city. To be mixed in it and able to do the things you do is a gift.

19. What do you want to say to the leader of your country?

Thank you for taking on this tremendous responsibility. I believe in you. You have my unconditional support.

20. What are you working on?

I’m working on a couple of projects. Of course, Making the Boys. I’ve been developing and working on a screenplay called Pines ’79. I’m going to be working on a few projects with Carson Kressley. I also just started this foundation called The Al D. Rodriguez Liver Foundation that is in honor of my friend Al who passed away.