Darius M. Buckley

Darius M. Buckley is a dramatist, published author, and performing artist. He has a B.A.A. from Central Michigan University where he studied Broadcast and Cinematic Arts and recently earned a Master of Fine Arts in Playwriting from Columbia University. In his time at CMU, he wrote multiple pieces including poems for The DEFY Film and online publications. He wrote and directed the original Detroit Hip Hop musical, The Fly & Incredibly Dope Adventures of Tyrone Jenkins. He was also awarded the Robert Newby Fund to Support Student Diversity Efforts at the Student Research and Creative Endeavors Exhibition for his essay, Feeling Myself: Rewriting the Narrative of the Black Feminist.

In recent years, Darius has continued sharing his written work. He performed new songs from his musical at the...

Darius M. Buckley is a dramatist, published author, and performing artist. He has a B.A.A. from Central Michigan University where he studied Broadcast and Cinematic Arts and recently earned a Master of Fine Arts in Playwriting from Columbia University. In his time at CMU, he wrote multiple pieces including poems for The DEFY Film and online publications. He wrote and directed the original Detroit Hip Hop musical, The Fly & Incredibly Dope Adventures of Tyrone Jenkins. He was also awarded the Robert Newby Fund to Support Student Diversity Efforts at the Student Research and Creative Endeavors Exhibition for his essay, Feeling Myself: Rewriting the Narrative of the Black Feminist.

In recent years, Darius has continued sharing his written work. He performed new songs from his musical at the Detroit Fringe Festival, wrote and directed the film, 5: A Visual Poem, American Thriller and Making Tyrone: A 1VK1 Mini Documentary. He also published three books, Wonder Boy: A Science Fiction Short, Only The Golden Sky Knows, and his first novella, HAZE: Book One. His play in verse, 18, won a spot in the final 6 of the Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival and will be published and licensed by Concord Theatricals.

He is currently working on his first novel and a production of his play, The Bridge, a science fiction thriller premiering at Columbia in the Spring. Darius hopes that his work will inspire young people, provide necessary representation for people of color in genres that have lacked diversity, and create stories for young black minds to escape into and dream.

Scripts

18

by Darius M. Buckley

Synopsis

18 tells the story of two teenage black boys in juvie reflecting on the lives they once lived and what the unknown future holds. This play in verse is a coming of age story that explores how one moment can transform our lives forever.

18 tells the story of two teenage black boys in juvie reflecting on the lives they once lived and what the unknown future holds. This play in verse is a coming of age story that explores how one moment can transform our lives forever.

Leo's Requiem

by Darius M. Buckley

Synopsis

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...

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.

The Bridge

by Darius M. Buckley

Synopsis

Three black men from Detroit 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.

Three black men from Detroit 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.

Thin Places

by Darius M. Buckley

Synopsis

A man goes on an emotional and spiritual journey through space and time to reunite with his wife who died of cancer.

A man goes on an emotional and spiritual journey through space and time to reunite with his wife who died of cancer.

A Boy's Game

by Darius M. Buckley

Synopsis

A black teenage boy at a predominately white prep school finds himself at the center of a secret fight initiation. This short play, set right at the edge of the millennium, explores the mental and physical battle young black kids face in white spaces.

A black teenage boy at a predominately white prep school finds himself at the center of a secret fight initiation. This short play, set right at the edge of the millennium, explores the mental and physical battle young black kids face in white spaces.

Addie & Trisha

by Darius M. Buckley

Synopsis

Two young black girls break the barrier between time to meet and find joy in the midst of a historic tragedy.

Two young black girls break the barrier between time to meet and find joy in the midst of a historic tragedy.

DANCE

by Darius M. Buckley

Synopsis

Two unlikely characters connect on the dance floor.

Two unlikely characters connect on the dance floor.