The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1954-05-28

made sans benefit of concealing
curtains. The method of setting
up the stage was a most ingen-
ious piece of engineering and is
still being used today. The sets
are erected in layers from the
back of the stage in proper Sc
quence; and, as the story pro-
crosses, the sets are peeled off.
bringing the next one in view
in much the same manner as a
series of pictures being torn
from a calendar to reveal the
next that will be needed.
Over five hundred authenic
costumes were designed and
executed by the late Ora Mae
Davis, assisted by Irene Rains,
present costumer, and a staff
from the Carolina Playmakers.
Meanwhile, Albert @. Bell, with
a crew of Roanoke Islanders as
sisted by w. P. A. workers in
the area designed and built the
Waterside Theater. Mr.. Bells de-
sign followed as closely as pos
sible the rough-heWn juniper log
and matched roof architecture of
pre-colonial America, and he sue
ceeded in recreating an authentic
! sixteenth century village that
has resisted the elements even
until this day Much of the re-
search and background inforna-
ton was supplied by Frank
Stick, a well known writer and
artist, and the landscaping of
the theater and grounds was un-
der the supervision of Charles F.
Gillette of Richmond, Virginia.
Rehearsals were being held daily,
and the cast of over $50 persons,
mostly local residents support
ing a nucleus of professionals
who played the leading roles,
began memorizing the lines and
the action of the play. The great
Westminster Choir from West
minister Choir College of Prince
ton, New Jersey, was engaged to
provide the choral background
and a mighty electric organ was
installed to furnish musical ac-
compartment. On July 4th, 1887,
all was in readiness. AS the deep
vibrant tones of the organ
swelled across the dusk in Fort
Raleigh's Waterside Theater, the
house lights were dimmed- The
voices of the choir echoed over
the stiffness of the summer night,
and The Lost Colony was born.
| The production was scheduled
to perform for one season only,
but as the crowds continued to
increase night after night, the
Association knew that it had a
"hit" on its hands; and, before
! the summer was over, a decision
was made to repeat the drama In
1888. An even greater response
during the second season as
sured the Roanoke Island Hlstor-
ical Association that millions OF
persons were interested in the
story of the Lost Colony and so
the Association decided to pre-
sent the drama each summer as
long as patronage justified its
continuance.
Since 1887 the Lost Colony has
continued to attract thousands,
and the drama has become a
vacation pilgrimage for all
America. During the years 1912
through 1945, production was
suspended due to blackout re-
strictions along the coast for
security reasons, but the play
was resumed in the summer OF
1916 and has had a successful
run up to the present day.
The Lost Colony completed its
652nd performance during the
10 seasons of operation. The pro-
ject has received the recognition
of both State and Federal Gov
ernments and is produced with
their cooperation. The Lost Col
ony was not created to return a
financial profit to any one group,
and is still a non-profit Roanoke
Island project. AS an agency of
the State of North Carolina, it
has received assistance at times
! during some lean years, but at
present it is managing to con-
tinue through income from its
own operation.
The long life and popularity
of the Lost Colony mark it as
possessed of something more
than mere entertainment. In the
story of the brave men and wo-
men of that first colony is the
spirit of faith and determination
that has built strong America.
AS long as America stands for
courage and freedom, the Lost
Colony will continue to stand as