Daphne Nichols Herbert

In Memoriam Daphne Nichols Herbert October 21, 1938 — May 31, 2021 Daphne Nichols Herbert died peacefully at home following a long illness. Born Daphne Mary Foster in London just prior to World War II, a daughter of Christian missionaries, Daphne survived the German blitz of London and later, as a young child, the Arab-Israeli conflicts occurring during the formation of Israel. Daphne was a graduate of the University of London and excelled both in her Literature and Mathematics studies. She later earned a Master of Arts in Theater from Villanova University. Daphne was Professor Emeritus of the English Department at Community College of Philadelphia (CCP), where she co-founded the College's Theater Program and helped develop the College's first Communications degree. For several years, she was the Coordinator of the Teaching Center. She directed many student productions at the College. In addition to her work at CCP, Daphne was founding director of the avant-garde performance group Bricolage. Daphne co-wrote, directed, and acted in many Bricolage productions performed at the Bread Street Studio, Painted Bride Art Center, University of the Arts, Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, and other venues. Daphne’s original one-woman show, Amazing Grace. was the crowning achievement of her artistic career, exploring themes of spirituality and mortality, as well as her multi-faceted relationship with her parents’ Pentecostal faith. After performing Amazing Grace in Philadelphia and New York, Daphne toured Europe with the show. Daphne received many awards for her acting, writing, and directing, including a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship. Daphne is survived by husband Charles Herbert; son Andrew Goldschneider and his wife Debra Dreger; son Aron Goldschneider and his wife Takiko Goldschneider; granddaughter Bronwyn Goldschneider; and nephews Ethan and Christopher Quinones. She will be missed by all who knew her. A memorial service will be held later in the year.