Charles Weldon, current Artistic Director of the Negro Ensemble Company, began his performance career, straight out of high school, as a doo-wop singer. He was the lead singer with The Paradons and found overnight success with their first single, “Diamonds and Pearls.” The group later appeared on television with Dick Clark and toured with James Brown and Fats Domino. Weldon was brought unexpectedly into the theatre world by his sister, actress/singer Ann Weldon, who convinced him to audition for a musical, Big Time Buck White, in California. The show made the transfer to Broadway with Muhammad Ali as the lead, and, in 1969, Weldon found himself making his Broadway debut just months into his acting career. He first worked with the Negro Ensemble Company in 1970, appearing in their ODODO (TRUTH) at St. Mark’s Playhouse, and has been with them ever since. His other performance credits with the NEC include: PERRY’S MISSION (1971), THE RIVER NIGER (1972), THE GREAT MACDADDY (1974 and 1977), THE BROWNSVILLE RAID (1976), THE OFFERING (1977), and COLORED PEOPLE’S TIME (1982). He stayed with THE RIVER NIGER for its Broadway transfer, which won the 1974 Tony Award for Best Play and he also appeared in the film adaptation. Since becoming Artistic Director of the NEC in 2004, Weldon has directed a number of NEC productions, including: WITH AARON’S ARMS AROUND ME (2010), THE PICTURE BOX (2012), CABARET ÉMIGRÉ (2012), and HERCULES DIDN’T WADE IN THE WATER (2016).

Born in Wetumka, Oklahoma, Weldon grew up in Bakersfield, California. After his success with The Paradons, he also spent a few years as the lead singer with the group Blues for Sale. Weldon has extensive TV and film credits and is best known for his role as Blade in the film Stir Crazy (1980). In 2006, he received an AUDELCO Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in SEVEN GUITARS at Signature Theatre.