July 27th, 2024 Marks the 5000th Performance of the Historic Drama
The Roanoke Island Historical Association (RIHA) is proud to celebrate the 5000th performance of The Lost Colony production on July 27th, 2024.
This milestone performance will include a special presentation from 87 years of the production, put together by Projection Designer Christopher Ash and Sound Designer Ashton Corey. In addition, all The Lost Colony alumni in attendance will receive a “Keeper of The Dream” Medallions in honor of their contribution to the outdoor drama.
The original script was written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paul Green and The Lost Colony made its debut on July 4th, 1937. Originally intended for one season, the drama was produced again the following year and has become the longest-running outdoor symphonic drama in the United States. During the 87 years, only five seasons have been canceled: 4 seasons due to WWII and the 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The production received a special Honors for Excellence in Theatre Tony Award in 2013 and has become an Outer Banks and North Carolina tradition. Since opening, more than four million The Lost Colony attendees have visited Waterside Theatre, located within Fort Raleigh National Park, on Roanoke Island, NC.
“5000 performances of a single production don’t happen very often and this one is a testament to a town, a county and a people as well as thousands of actors, technicians and crew who made this Theatre the place to be for 87 years of Outer Banks evenings. We are excited to be able to celebrate this occasion.” – Chuck Still, Executive Director.