darius’ playwriting work
I WRITE PLAYS THAT IGNITE, THE BLACK IMAGINATION.
lEO’S REQUEIM - COLUMBIA MFA PLAYWRITING THESIS
Leo’s Requiem follows the story of a young black composer and conductor in residence at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra who's searching for words to set for his next commission. When he rediscovers a notebook of his late childhood friend’s poetry, he unearths a rainstorm of pain, memories and inspiration. This play with music, structured as a requiem mass itself, explores grief in young men of color, and the divine power of music that heals those wounds.
18 wins at 48th oob festival
DARIUS’ PLAY 18 WON THE 48TH SAMUEL FRENCH OFF OFF BROADWAY SHORT PLAY FESTIVAL!
Darius’ short play in verse, 18, was selected as one of the final 6 of the 48th OOB Festival Collection and was published and licensed through Concord Theatricals!
the bridge
Darius’s new science fiction thriller premieres at Columbia University.
Three black Christian men reunite for the first time in years for a fun night in an escape room. Things turn sour when they realize they're trapped and the escape room is actually a supernatural bridge between two worlds. The Bridge is a science fiction thriller that explores issues of faith, institutional racism, and how we reflect on a life lived and lost.
the bridge featurette
A trailer for the 2023 workshop production of The Bridge at Columbia University.
THE FLY & INCREDIBLY DOPE ADVENTURES OF TYRONE JENKINS
A DETROIT HIP HOP MUSICAL
The Fly & Incredibly Dope Adventures of Tyrone Jenkins: The Musical originally was a collaborative project between the CMU University Theatre community and the Residence Life community. The show was originally conceived as a web series in 2009 but was put on hold. The musical by Darius Buckley included a talented cast of diverse actors, dancers, rappers, and singers from University Theatre, as well as campus residents and RA's. Some who came back to the theatre after years, some who had never performed before. Darius is currently developing a new version of the show with more songs and a longer book.
The TYRONE Musical follows the story of a young African American high schooler named Tyrone Jenkins who deals with anxiety and Maladaptive Daydreamer’s Disorder. He’s faced with a threat from a bully and in order to prepare for the fight, he uses his ability to escape the world in his excessive daydreams by creating a comic book world in his mind. With his comic book side kicks (his real life best friends) by his side, he ventures to Rotom City to defeat the city’s greatest threat, ANARCHY (his real life bully). The show tackles everything from mental health and faith, to inner-city struggles and accepting identity with a Detroit style hip hop score.
MAKING TYRONE
Darius' second documentary follows the making of his first musical, The Fly & Incredibly Dope Adventures of Tyrone Jenkins. Directed by Darius Buckley & Brittany Andrade