I first became aware of Jamaican playwright Trevor Rhone through his classic film "The Harder They Come," which he co-wrote with director Perry Henzel. I later had the pleasure of meeting him when he presented his play "Old Story Time" at the Ruth Thomas Auditorium at Charlotte Amalie High School.

On Sept. 15, at age 69, Trevor Rhone died of a heart attack at the Medical Associates Hospital in Kingston, Jamaica. And yet little or nothing has appeared in the media regarding his passing.

Rhone, the preeminent Jamaican playwright, was also one of the most distinguished theatrical icons of the Caribbean region and the Caribbean Diaspora. In addition to being a playwright Rhone was also a screenwriter, director, producer, actor, and a voice over artist.

Best known for his plays "Old Story Time" (1979), "Schools Is Out" (1974), "The Power" and "Two Can Play" (1982), and "Bellas Gate Boy" (2002) among others Rhone is also renowned for his groundbreaking screenplay "Milk and Honey," which was shot in Canada.

Rhone was born on March 24, 1940, the last of 21 children. He was educated in Jamaica, following which he pursued drama studies at the Rose Buford College in England. Following completion of his studies abroad, Rhone returned to Jamaica where he taught drama. He was an integral part of the Jamaican Theater Movement of the early 1970s, and for the remainder of his theatrical career he was home based in his beloved Jamaica. In 1977 Rhone along with the esteemed Jamaican director/author Yvonne Brewster founded The Barn, a professional theater company where he was resident playwright for 12 years.

Rhone is no stranger to the Virgin Islands, where many of his plays have been presented. In 1975 his play "Smile Orange," which was adapted into a feature film, won the distinguished Gold Plaque at the Virgin Islands Film Festival.

Rhone is a giant among Caribbean theater artists and in my view deserves as much honor and respect in death as he achieved in life.

- Clarence R. Cuthbertson is a playwright and artistic director of CARABANA Ensemble Theater Company on St. John.