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HISTORY OF THE LOST
COLONY
North Carolina
History of The Lost Colony Production
By 'people's Theatre', I mean theatre in which plays are
written, acted and produced for and by the people for their
enjoyment and enrichment and not for any special monetary
profit."
 Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Green wrote those words about The
Lost Colony in 1938, a year after its debut. By then, America's
first outdoor symphonic drama was a critical and popular
success, proof that "people's theatre" could work. But it wasn't
always a guaranteed success.
Commissioned by Roanoke Island residents, who had a long
tradition of celebrating their place in American history, The
Lost Colony was born out of a desire by locals to commemorate
the 350th Anniversary of the birth of Virginia Dare in 1937.
North Carolina's Paul Green penned the production, which was a
unique combination of drama, song, and dance, while Roanoke
Islanders set to work building the magnificent Waterside Theatre
on the very spot where the colonists settled. On July 4, 1937,
The Lost Colony opened to a packed house, despite the economic
hardship of the Great Depression.
The show was intended to run only through the end of that
summer. But when Franklin D. Roosevelt attended on August 18,
1937, the nation's eyes were fixed on the production, assuring
that there would be subsequent seasons.
Since then, the production has seen its share of challenges and
outright disasters. World War II brought the lights down on the
show for four years as German U-boats prowled the sea just off
the
Outer Banks. In 1947, Waterside Theatre burned to the
ground, only to be quickly rebuilt by local residents. And in
1960, Hurricane Donna roared over Roanoke Island, sweeping most
of Waterside Theatre into the sound. The Theatre was
reconstructed in time for the 1961 season.
Now in its 70th production season, The Lost Colony has evolved
into a statewide and national treasure. It has served as the
training ground for over 5,000 actors and technicians, including
such famous personalities as Andy Griffith, Terrance Mann,
William Ivey Long, and Senator Marc Basnight. It has entertained
over three million people from all walks of life since its debut
in 1937.
But, in the end, The Lost Colony belongs to the people of
Roanoke Island who have cherished and nurtured the drama from
its infancy. |
