by Darius M. Buckley
Showtimes
Friday, May 3 @ 3:30 pm
Friday, May 3 @ 8 pm
Saturday, May 4 @ 3:30 pm
Leo’s Requiem follows the story of a young black composer/ 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.
About the Playwright
Darius M. Buckley is a dramatist, published author, performing artist, and native Detroiter. He studied Broadcast and Cinematic Arts at Central Michigan University and is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Playwriting at Columbia University. A few of his playwriting and musical theatre writing credits include: The Fly & Incredibly Dope Adventures of Tyrone Jenkins: A Detroit Hip Hop Musical (CMU and the Detroit Fringe Festival), Thin Places (115 Short Play Festival), and The Bridge (Columbia University). His play in verse, 18, won the 48th Samuel French Off Off-Broadway Short Play Festival and will be published and licensed by Concord Theatricals. Darius has also written and directed films such as: "The DEFY Film", "5: A Visual Poem", "American Thriller", "Wonder Boy and Making Tyrone: A 1VK1 Mini Documentary". His literary publications include Wonder Boy: A Science Fiction Short, Only The Golden Sky Knows, and his first novella, HAZE: Book One. His calling is to write soulful black stories that inform, inspire, and heal. Stories that embody the pain, joy, and magic of young black voices.
About the New Plays Festival
Columbia University School of the Arts presented an expanded festival of new plays written by Columbia MFA Playwriting Students. The esteemed faculty who nurtured these students, including Tony©, Pulitzer, and Obie Award winners such as James Ijames, Rebecca Taichman, Sarah DeLappe, Steve Martin, Will Eno, Karey Kirkpatrick and David Henry Hwang invited everyone to experience these innovative new playwrights.
Organized by Leslie Ayvazian, Theatre.