The Lost Colony is deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Marjalene Thomas. For Dare County locals, The Lost Colony and Marjalene go hand in hand-she was the epitome of a supporter of the show, the institution, and, most importantly, the thousands of Company Members she worked beside and watched each summer.
Marjalene’s involvement with The Lost Colony first began in 1937, the inaugural season. She watched her mother and grandmother work in the costume shop alongside Irene Smart Rains. The following season she portrayed a flower girl in the show, and then spent several summers as a dancer, singer, and various minor roles. In 1958 director Cliff Britton cast Marjalene as Eleanor Dare, a role she portrayed for seven years. For many, Marjalene’s performance as Eleanor Dare is seen as the quintessential portrait of the character.
Marjalene was directly involved in the show for 38 years, portraying every female role (with the exception of Agona). She also worked as choir director, production stage manager, and served on the Roanoke Island Historical Association’s Board of Directors.
Her entire family has been involved with The Lost Colony throughout the years. Her son Hunt portrayed Wano and served as a stage manager and sound technician. Her daughter Barbara followed in her mother’s footsteps in the show as a flower girl, eventually moving up to Choreographer for the production. Thomas’ grandson, Jonathan, was a Virginia Dare baby, marking the fifth generation of the Thomas family involved in the production.
In recent years, for Company Members of The Lost Colony, meeting and having a conversation with Marjalene was considered an honor and rite of passage. She stood as an example of what being a “Keeper of the Dream” is to newcomers to the show, and was a consummate role model to all involved with the production. She was an inspiration to thousands, and Roanoke Island will never be the same without this beacon of grace, poise, and optimism. We offer our condolences to her family during this time.
Marjalene Thomas
