Samuel Charles Holmond Jr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Obituary Samuel Charles Holmond was born March 22, 1941 to the union of Charlie Holmond and Katherine V. Wilson in Williamson, West Virginia. He was joined several years later by a sister, Carol. Nurtured and protected by that community, he attended Liberty High School but graduated from Williamson High School after integration in 1957. In 1959, the family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, settling in the vibrant community of Avondale. As a young man of the time, Charles became an active member of The Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), and immersed himself in the burgeoning arena of Civil Rights. He spent countless hours at the Black House (Rockdale Temple) and later became employed at The Seven Hills Neighborhood House in the West End. While at Seven Hills, he encountered several people who would change the trajectory of his life. In 1965, under the auspices of Seven Hills, Nikki Giovanni and Lincoln Pettaway founded the New Theatre, a black repertory company. In 1966, they brought in a consultant, Ms. Peri Harper, who consolidated the New Theatre with workshops, seminars and guest lecturers such as John O. Killens. Charles was hooked and found his home. In 1969, Peri returned to New York and The New Theatre morphed into the Free Theatre. Charles’ involvement and leadership in the Free Theatre led to its becoming the premier black repertory company in the city, if not the region. The Free Theatre yielded poetry readings, street theatre, concerts, as well as dramatic productions that were held in venues from church basements to Music Hall and The Playhouse in The Park. One venue that saw many productions was The Arts Consortium in the West End, under the tutelage of it’s director, the late Tony Davis. Because of his work in Free Theatre, Charles received recognition as a winner of The Corbett Awards for the Arts for the years of 1975, 1980 and 1982. His involvement at The Playhouse in The Park connected him with another change agent in his life, the first black Artistic Director of the Playhouse Hal Scott. That professional relationship grew into an enduring friendship that lasted until Hal’s death. Charles was the guest director when Hal Scott directed Avery Brooks in Robeson and brought it to Cincinnati’s Music Hall. Charles also directed Cleo Laine and Paul Winfield in John Chenault and Frank Proto’s 1995 collaboration, Ghost in Machine. Soon thereafter, Charles earned his MFA from The University of Cincinnati. After a distinguished career in regional theatre, Charles joined the faculty of Earlham College in the arts department. While there, he produced many plays and taught classes from theatre history to specific plays and playwrights. He was also instrumental in introducing students and staff to voices they had not yet heard. His impact on the lives and careers of his charges is incalculable. Many close friendships were forged during his tenure at Earlham. Ill health forced Charles’ retirement from Earlham and prompted his eventual return to Cincinnati, where he passed several years later on February 19, 2018. He leaves to celebrate his life his sister, Carol A. Holmond of Cincinnati, Ohio; cousins, Joseph and Willie Esther Thigpen and Ronald and Regina Thigpen, all of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Robert, Pamela and Peggy J. Moore of Columbus, Ohio and Peggy Record of Cleveland. He is also celebrated by a cast of characters that any playwright would be delighted to create.

Samuel Charles Holmond Jr.

March 22, 1941 - February 19, 2018