One evening, two performances

For as long as he can remember, Darren Jackson Wilkins ’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’s top priority, and he was drawn to Skidmore 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 “countless hours” at the Arthur Zankel Music Center and the Janet Kinghorn Bernhard Theater (JKB). Recently, he performed in two of Skidmore’s most cherished events. Last fall, he was cast as Orpheus, who is one of the leads in the Theater Department’s production of “Eurydice,” written by Sarah Ruhl and directed by Marie Glotzbach. Darren considers it one of his fondest college memories. 

“'Eurydice' was the first time I had lines in a Skidmore 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.”  

At the same time, Darren was asked by his music theory professor Jeremy Day- O’Connell to take part in Skidmania ’72, an annual concert and musical tradition inspired by the beloved Beatlemore-Skidmania, which for two decades celebrated the iconic British band with talented Skidmore student’s 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 Theater Department was able to accommodate his dual interests by moving the opening night of “Eurydice”to start an hour earlier, allowing Darren to perform in both events.  

In November, Darren first performed in JKB Theater as Orpheus in “Eurydice” and then hurried to nearby Zankel to close Skidmania ’72 with a crowd-pleasing rendition of “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers. He sang alongside a band full of Skidmore peers and professionals, and they were met with a standing ovation. For Darren, the experience was exciting, fulfilling, and slightly chaotic. 

“In the last scene of ‘Eurydice,’ 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.”  

Darren is excited to continue pursuing his love for the arts this spring, when he will be performing in “After Jane,” written by Rachel Luann Strayer and directed by Teisha Duncan.

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