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The Lost Colony

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Cori Riddle

Cast Highlight | Chief Manteo

Joey is ecstatic to be returning to the role of Chief Manteo for his third season at The Lost Colony. Since last summer Joey performed in Midnight Syndicate Live at Cedar Point and was an extra on CBS’s show Instinct.
Other credits include Hal in Picnic and Shaman in Serpentine Pink. While Joey enjoyed the fast-paced lifestyle of New York City he is ready to enjoy another summer on the Outer Banks. Joey would like to thank his family and friends for believing in him and would also like to say “Go Eagles.” 

See Joey as Chief Manteo in the 81st Season of The Lost Colony
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Ghosts of the Lost Colony 2018

Join Trevor Janzen and his team of ghost hunters from Astral Plane Investigations on an interactive adventure, exploring paranormal hot spots in Waterside Theatre and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. Dare to enter the last documented location of Sir Walter Raleigh’s colony. During this tour, you’ll learn about early colonial exploration, the Native Americans that lived here and the 1587 “lost” colony. Fort Raleigh comes alive with supernatural activity once the sun sets on our haunted island.

Ghosts of the Lost Colony is open to the public Monday through Saturday, March 26 – April 7, 2018. Tours leave at 8:00 PM from The Lost Colony ticket office. Guests should plan for an hour of haunted history as they walk the grounds in search of paranormal activity. Tickets are available by phone at 252-473-2127, online at www.www.thelostcolony.org, or one hour before the tour at the Ticket Office. Tickets are $20, children 5 and under are free.

Tours are conducted outdoors in the evening on uneven terrain. These trails are not accessible by individuals with physical handicaps or in wheelchairs.

2018 Local Auditions Announced

 

Local Auditions set for the 2018 Season of The Lost Colony

On Saturday, February 17, 2018, The Lost Colony will hold local auditions for its upcoming 2018 season! Local residents have long been a part of the production of America’s oldest Outdoor Symphonic Drama, and it is the hope of the production’s artistic staff that this summer will carry on that tradition. Auditions will be held at Manteo High School, 829 Wingina Ave, Manteo, NC. Registration opens at 8:40 AM and auditions will begin at 9:00 AM.

Lance Culpepper, Associate Producer for The Lost Colony, has organized the auditions. He will be joined by Director, Ira David Wood, III, Music Director, McCrae Hardy, Choreographer, Pam Atha, and Fight Director, Robert Midgette. The casting team will be supported by volunteers from the organization who will help to provide a professional environment for the audition process.

Everyone attending the auditions is requested to bring a recent photograph and resume. Additional information will be collected at the time of registration. Children must be a least six years of age and will be requested to perform a brief monologue or recite a poem. Parents are encouraged to accompany their children, but will not be allowed in the audition room.

Dancers should register by 10:30 AM for dance movement auditions. Appropriate dancewear and soft shoes are necessary for comfort and safety. Please be prepared to demonstrate a variety of dance styles with the show’s choreographer. Actors and singers will audition at 1:00 PM in the auditorium. Everyone should prepare a one-minute classical monologue, and singers should prepare 16 bars of music in the classical style. An accompanist will be provided, but all auditionees must bring clearly marked sheet music in the right key.

Actors and singers may register at any time before 2:00pm. The local auditions are part of the complete audition circuit which also includes participation in the Institute of Outdoor Theatre auditions held in Greensboro, NC and the Southeastern Theatre Conference in Mobile, AL. The show will be cast once all auditions are complete for the 2018 season.

Contact: Lance Culpepper | Email: lance@www.www.thelostcolony.org

Dominion Energy Grant for Mystery of the Lost Colony

The Lost Colony is thrilled to announce that it will be taking its mini-production, Mystery of The Lost Colony, on tour Fall 2018.   The Dominion Energy Foundation is generously supporting this dynamic educational and interactive touring program, and granted $5,000 to the Roanoke Island Historical Association (RIHA) to bring the performance to elementary schools in eastern North Carolina. The program celebrates the story of the 1587 Roanoke Island colony, and reinforces NC curriculum with living history.  A pilot of this program was presented at five Dare County Elementary Schools in 2016, and received rave reviews from students and educators.  Pictured (left to right): Lance Culpepper, Assoc. Producer RIHA, Bea Basnight Dare County Board of Education & RIHA Board Chair, Pam Pekrun, Dominion Energy External Affairs Manager, and Bill Coleman, CEO RIHA.  The Roanoke Island Historical Association is very grateful to Dominion Energy for their generous support of The Lost Colony and its new touring program for youth, Mystery of The Lost Colony. For more information on the program, please call 252 473-2127.

#GivingTuesday

The Season of Giving Starts with GIVING TUESDAY

DONATE NOW

Give the Gift of History

to America’s longest running outdoor

historical symphonic drama,

based on the story of our first English colony.

 

Three Reasons Why

You have to know the past to understand the present.   Carl Sagan

If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.

Rudyard Kipling, The Collect Work

We are not makers of history. We are made by history.   Martin Luther King Jr.

 

The Roanoke Island Historical Association is a 501 (c)(3) Non-Profit.

Your donations go to the Annual Fund for the production of The Lost Colony,

the longest running outdoor symphonic drama in the United States.

For more information, please call 252-473-2127, or email nfigiel@www.www.thelostcolony.org.

The Lost Colony Awarded SETC Staffing Development Matching Grant

The Roanoke Island Historical Association (RIHA), the non-profit that produces The Lost Colony outdoor historic drama, is proud to announce that it has been awarded one of seven inaugural grants from the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) to professional theatres across the United States. The grants were made available to provide resources and funding that will assist professional theatres with hiring, staffing and networking opportunities. SETC is the strongest and broadest network of theatre practitioners in the U.S. and provides extensive resources and year-round opportunities for its constituents. Their services and publications contribute significantly to the careers of emerging artists, seasoned professionals, and academicians. RIHA is a longtime member and supporter of SETC which was established in 1948.

RIHA has been awarded a Staffing Development Matching Grant for $2,000 from SETC. The grant will help fund a Theatre Arts Camp/Education Outreach Program Coordinator, a new staffing position for The Lost Colony production. This position will work with Lance Culpepper, Associate Producer, to enhance our summer Theatre Arts Camps for Youth and to launch a new fall outreach program, Mystery of the Lost Colony. Culpepper states, “The Lost Colony is thrilled to begin the search for a theatre educator to join the team for summer 2018. Having an educator on staff will allow us to further develop and enrich our theatre arts camps, Mystery of The Lost Colony Tour, and Ghosts of the Lost Colony experience.”

The Roanoke Island Historical Association is very excited about this new opportunity.  We are very grateful to SETC for this grant which offers creative resources and funding that will assist with our programming goals.

2017 Inaugural Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival Exceeds Fundraising Goals!

Photo courtesy of Milepost Portraits

The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival continues to receive rave reviews. The Roanoke Island Historical Association is also excited to share that the event exceeded its goals and raised over $44,000 to benefit the 2018 production of The Lost Colony. The festival featured 120 wines from around the world, local breweries, and regional restaurants. We are proud to announce The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival Grand Tasting will return on Saturday, September 29th, 2018!

The Roanoke Island Historical Association is very grateful to Virginia Dare Winery, First National Bank, TowneBank OBX, Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, and to all our sponsors who supported this event in benefit of The Lost Colony. We also want to thank our vendors, volunteers, and attendees for helping us achieve this success.

The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival – A Great Success!

Nearly 500 visitors and locals participated in The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival’s Inaugural Grand Tasting on Saturday, September 30th. Attendees enjoyed a perfect fall day filled wine and craft beer tasting, live entertainment, educational wine seminars and fabulous views of the Roanoke Sound. Committee members worked hard over the past year to organize the event that featured over 120 wines from around the world, local and regional breweries, and area restaurants and cafes presenting signature appetizers. More than 60 volunteers dedicated their Saturday to support the Festival and without them, this event would not have been possible.

“First class”, “Lots of fun!”, and “Looking forward to next year” were just a few of the positive remarks made by Festival attendees. The Roanoke Island Historical Association is very grateful to Virginia Dare Winery, First National Bank, TowneBank, the Outer Bank Visitors Bureau and to all our sponsors who supported this event in benefit of The Lost Colony. Proceeds will go directly to the 2018 production of The Lost Colony. If you were unable to attend this year, be sure to mark your calendar for The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival in September of 2018!

VIP Tickets Sold Out for Grand Tasting!

The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival’s Grand Tasting is Saturday, September 30th!

The Grand Tasting will feature over 120 wines, a Beer Garden, Wine Seminars, and Live Entertainment. The Festival will be held on the grounds of The Lost Colony with a breathtaking view of the Roanoke Sound. VIP Tickets have already sold out, but there are still General Admission tickets available. To purchase tickets or for more information on the Grand Tasting on Saturday, September 30th visit our website, www.tlcwinefest.com, or call (252) 473-2127.

The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival Committee Members Working Hard!

The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival’s Grand Tasting is quickly approaching on Saturday, September 30th. The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival Committee members have been working hard for over a year to plan a fun filled event! The Grand Tasting will feature over 120 wines, a Beer Garden, Wine Seminars, and Live Entertainment! The Festival overlooks the Roanoke Sound and has a breathtaking view. VIP Tickets are already sold out, but fortunately General Admission tickets are still available. To purchase tickets or for more information on the Grand Tasting on Saturday, September 30th please visit our website, www.tlcwinefest.com, or call (252) 473-2127.

The Lost Colony 2017 Company Awards

Megan Glover accepting the Cora Mae Basnight Award from Associate Producer, Lance Culpepper (left) and CEO, Bill Coleman (right). Picture taken by Busy B Photography (www.busybphotography.com).

The Lost Colony 2017 Company Awards

On Friday, August 18, The Lost Colony celebrated the 430th birthday of the first English child born in the new world, Virginia Dare. The Lost Colony commemorated the occasion with Virginia Dare Baby Night and an award ceremony honoring the talents of their company members by awarding scholarships based on artistic and professional merit.

The first of the five company members to receive awards was Old Tom, Robert Hooghkirk, who received the Bob Knowles Award. This award is given in honor of Robert “Bob” Knowles who dedicated 25 years to The Lost Colony as production coordinator, associate producer, and general manager.

Several of the company awards bestowed were named in honor of local performers in the long-running drama. The Cora Mae Basnight Award given this year to choir member, Megan Glover (pictured above), is presented to a company member who exhibits distinction in music. This award’s namesake is the late Cora Mae Basnight, a Roanoke Island native, gifted pianist and one of The Lost Colony’s most beloved Agonas.

The Bob Midgette Award is named for Robert “Bob” Midgette, a Dare County native who, for 34 years performed in The Lost Colony, 26 of those in the role of Chief Manteo. Midgette continues to be involved with The Lost Colony as its Fight Director and this was his 45th season with the production. Master Electrician, Bri Weintraub, was presented The Bob Midgette Award due to her overall excellence in professionalism and dedication to The Lost Colony production.

The Evelyn Russell Layton Award is presented to a company member to recognize and reward his or her promising theatrical talent and to assist the recipient while beginning a professional career. Assistant Costume Shop Manager, Jeri Meador, received the 2017 Evelyn Russel Layton Award. The Bradford Fearing Producers Award honors D. Bradford Fearing who chaired a committee that organized “The Pageant of Roanoke” which later became The Lost Colony. A local merchant and politican, Fearing oversaw the production its inaugural year and served as producer and general manager for many years until his death. Technical Director, John Underwood, received the 2017 Bradford Fearing Producers Award. This is Underwood’s 30th season with the production.

The 80th Anniversary Season of The Lost Colony closed on August 19th.

Thanks for a Great 2017 Season!

The 80th Anniversary Season of America’s longest-running symphonic drama closed on Saturday, August 19th and the cast and crew extends a generous thank you to the Outer Banks community for their continued support and hospitality. There was 15% increase in revenue and an attendance increase of 11% over last season. The Lost Colony maintained the TripAdvisor #1 Attraction on Roanoke Island for 2017. Rave reviews on the site included, “The play was very well done. We’ve been to several outdoor plays and this one ranks at the top. The costumes and sets were just as good as a Broadway play. You won’t go wrong going to this show.”

 

In addition to the main performance, popular events throughout the year included: Comedy Tonight!, Children’s Show: Jingle ARRGH the Way!, Character Dinners, Backstage Tours, Virginia Dare Faire, The Mystery of The Lost Colony, and many others.

In September, The Lost Colony debuts The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival. The festival opens with a Vintner’s Dinner featuring Virginia Dare Wines at the Duck Woods Country Club in Southern Shores on Friday, September 29th. The highlight of the festival is the Grand Tasting on Saturday, September 30th. Attendees will taste wines from around the world, discover local craft beer, sample savory local fare and enjoy live entertainment. To purchase tickets or for more information please visit our website, www.tlcwinefest.com, or call (252) 473-2127. The festival is generously funded by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau and the Virginia Dare Winery and is sponsored by several local partners including First National Bank as the Noble Sponsor.

Outer Banks Community Foundation for Theatre Audio Project

The Outer Banks Community Foundation granted The Lost Colony $5,000 for much needed theatre audio equipment this season.  Pictured, left to right, Outer Banks Community Foundation Board Members Teresa Osborne and Chris Seawell, OBCF Executive Director Lorelei Costa, and Roanoke Island Historical Association CEO Bill Coleman.

The Roanoke Island Historical Association is grateful to the Outer Banks Community Foundation for funding the purchase of new audio equipment and digital technology upgrades for the Waterside Theatre this season with a $5,000 grant. This equipment included an additional 12 microphone transmitters and receivers for key characters in the performance, digital antennas, and the replacement of a digital signal processor.

Funding from the Outer Banks Community Foundation helped the Roanoke Island Historical Association complete the Sound Project at the Waterside Theatre, a three-year project begun in 2014.  The new digital sound and audio equipment has produced amazing results which include clearer audio and realistic and exciting sound effects through-out the performance.  If you have not attended a performance this year, we urge you to come out and enjoy a night at the Waterside Theatre before the 80th Anniversary Season ends on August 19th.

Virginia Dare Babies Announced!

Pictured is Kinslee Grace Davis held by Henson Milam as Eleanor Dare

Virginia Dare Babies Announced!

Virginia Dare is one of the most influential historical figures to the Outer Banks. Dare County and Virginia Dare Trail are named in her honor. As the first English child born in the New World, her name is found in history books across America. In celebration of her 430th birthday, The Lost Colony continues its beloved tradition of casting local infants in the performance. On August 18th, five babies perform throughout evening appearing in different scenes. Virginia Dare Night is sponsored by First National Bank.

This year we will feature four boys and only one girl as Virginia Dare! The five babies that will make their debut in the 80th anniversary season of The Lost Colony on August 18th, are: Asher William Michael Wilson (3 weeks) son of Michael and Emily Adams Wilson of Cary, NC; Charles “Charlie” Jenkins (1 month) son of Rob and Chelsea Jenkins of Kill Devil Hills, NC; Kinslee Grace Davis (10 months) daughter of Willie Davis and Katlin Snapp of Manteo, NC; Oliver Northrop (9 months) son of Paul and Margaret Northrop of Raleigh, NC; and John Sprague Silver (4.5 months) of Duncan and Alice Silver of Wanchese, NC. The 2017 Virginia Dare babies will be added to a long list of community members who participated in the historic drama at a very early age.

On Friday morning August 18th, come celebrate Virginia Dare’s 430th birthday at the “Virginia Dare Faire” on the grounds surrounding The Lost Colony Building within Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. Join us for games and activities from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, provided by company members of The Lost Colony and National Park Service, followed by cake and ice cream.  The Virginia Dare Faire is free to the public and is sponsored by First National Bank.

The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival

The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival debuts September 29 & 30, 2017

Exceptional wine, craft beer, savory fare and live entertainment

 

On Roanoke Island where history, legends and grapes intertwine, The Lost Colony Wine and Culinary Festival’s Grand Tasting debuts on Saturday, September 30th.   On the grounds of the famous outdoor drama, The Lost Colony, attendees will taste wines from around the world, discover local craft beer, sample savory local fare and enjoy live entertainment.  Surrounded by breathtaking views of the Roanoke and Pamlico Sounds, there is no better way to spend a fall day on the Outer Banks.  The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival’s Grand Tasting event opens at 12 noon for VIP ticket holders ($75) and at 1 pm for General Admission ($50).  The Family Coppola’s Virginia Dare Winery partners with the Roanoke Island Historical Association for this “don’t want to miss” festival in benefit of The Lost Colony.

 

Roanoke Island is the site of Queen Elizabeth I’s first attempt to establish a colony in the New World, and is the birthplace of America’s first English child, Virginia Dare.  The Lost Colony, tells the story of the 1587 colony and has performed on this historic site since 1937.  Roanoke Island is also home to the Mothervine, America’s oldest cultivated grapevine.  The island’s history is imbedded with fabulous legends!  The Virgin Queen and Sir Walter Raleigh’s dreams, the colony’s unsolved disappearance, and a love story that tells how the grapes of the Mothervine became stained red.  The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival celebrates Roanoke Island’s history, legends, and heritage with wine, handcrafted beer and sumptuous food.

 

Francis Ford Coppola is intrigued with the mystery and legends of the Lost Colony.  When Virginia Dare Wines, a North Carolina winery during the 1800s, became available for purchase, The Family Coppola seized the opportunity to add its legendary wine to its portfolio of wineries and resorts.  In 2015 The Family Coppola launched the revitalization of Virginia Dare Winery at its new home in Sonoma County, promoted as “American Wines Since 1835.”  Crafted with grapes from the finest viticulture regions in California, Virginia Dare Winery wines are rich with characteristics befitting an American legend:  Pure. Natural. Distinctive.  The partnership with The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival reflects The Family Coppola’s appreciation of history and storytelling, and celebrates the treasures, people and places that shaped this great country.

 

The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival opens with a Vintner’s Dinner featuring Virginia Dare Wines at the Duck Woods Country Club in Southern Shores on Friday, September 29th.  A multi-course meal will be fabulously paired with the wines by Chef Thomas. To purchase tickets or for more information on the Vintner’s Dinner and the Grand Tasting on Saturday, September 30th please visit our website, www.tlcwinefest.com, or call (252) 473-2127.  Vintner’s Dinner tickets and VIP tickets for the Grand Tasting are very limited and early purchase is encouraged.  The festival is generously funded by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau and is sponsored by several local partners including First National Bank as the Noble Sponsor.  For a full listing of the Festival’s supporters, please see our website.