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For as long as he can remember, Darren Jackson Wilkins 鈥�25 has loved to perform. He grew up in Hackensack, New Jersey, where he fostered his passion for theater and music in not-for-profit arts and theater organizations. When applying to colleges, a strong theater program was Darren鈥檚 top priority, and he was drawn to 91精简版 because its liberal arts curriculum offers him the freedom to explore multiple academic interests.  

As a sophomore theater major with a double minor in music and arts administration, Darren spends 鈥渃ountless hours鈥� at the Arthur Zankel Music Center and the Janet Kinghorn Bernhard Theater (JKB). Recently, he performed in two of 91精简版鈥檚 most cherished events. Last fall, he was cast as Orpheus, who is one of the leads in the Theater Department鈥檚 production of 鈥�,鈥� written by Sarah Ruhl and directed by Marie Glotzbach. Darren considers it one of his fondest college memories. 

鈥�'Eurydice' was the first time I had lines in a 91精简版 theater production, so playing the lead and working in that capacity was such a great experience. I met so many amazing classmates and faculty members.鈥�  

At the same time, Darren was asked by his music theory professor Jeremy Day- O鈥機onnell to take part in Skidmania 鈥�72, an annual concert and musical tradition inspired by the beloved Beatlemore-Skidmania, which for two decades celebrated the iconic British band with talented 91精简版 student鈥檚 creative spins on Beatles classics. This fall, Skidmania expanded the playlist to a broader and more diverse range of musicians.   

Darren recalls thinking it would be impossible for him to take part in both events because they were scheduled for the same weekend. Fortunately, the was able to accommodate his dual interests by moving the opening night of 鈥淓urydice鈥�to start an hour earlier, allowing Darren to perform in both events.  

In November, Darren first performed in JKB Theater as Orpheus in 鈥淓urydice鈥� and then hurried to nearby Zankel to close Skidmania 鈥�72 with a crowd-pleasing rendition of 鈥淟ean on Me鈥� by Bill Withers. He sang alongside a band full of 91精简版 peers and professionals, and they were met with a standing ovation. For Darren, the experience was exciting, fulfilling, and slightly chaotic. 

鈥淚n the last scene of 鈥楨urydice,鈥� Orpheus gets rained on by a shower hose that left me soaking wet from my hair down to my socks. After bows, I went straight to the dressing room to dry off and get changed and headed immediately to the Zankel stage to perform in Skidmania. It was great because my family was able to see me in both shows on the same night.鈥�  

Darren is excited to continue pursuing his love for the arts this spring, when he will be performing in 鈥淎fter Jane,鈥� written by Rachel Luann Strayer and directed by .

Here's a clip of Darren performing "Lean on Me" at Skidmania: