The Lost Colony creates a new, historic collaboration
on Roanoke Island

After missing a season in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic, the Roanoke Island Historical Association (RIHA), opened the 84th annual production of Paul Green’s longest running drama, “The Lost Colony,” on May 28th.

The collaborators freshened the script, enlivened the dance, and lifted up aspects of Native American spirituality and culture as a more historically accurate and seamless part of the drama. We believe Paul Green would be proud of this effort, and hope that visitors to the Outer Banks will revisit the play in its present form.

“The Lost Colony” is a critical part of Paul Green’s distinctive artistic legacy in North Carolina and has made a long impression on generations of school-aged children and their parents who attend the play as a summer vacation ritual. Kevin Bradley, the current chair of the RIHA board was one of those children. Though he grew up in Maryland, Kevin said that attending “The Lost Colony” provided the best family memories of his childhood. Bradley and the RIHA board are working hard to sustain this North Carolina tradition for future generations.

-photo of opening night audience coming into the historic Waterside Theatre in Manteo for the 84th annual production of “The Lost Colony” by Paul Green. Photo by Donna Campbell.

Article Source: Paul Green Foundation News-Summer 2021.