The Lost Colony Production Gets New Sound Array

 

Roanoke Island Historical Association (RIHA) was awarded a $30,000 grant in June 2023 for a new sound array for its annual production of The Lost Colony at Waterside Theatre.

“There is more music in our production than ever before, including orchestral underscoring during dialogue,” said RIHA Executive Director Chuck Still. “In addition, most of our actors now wear wireless mics. The Community Foundation grant means we’ll no longer rent but will own appropriate speakers, saving us a great deal of money and assuring clear, vibrant sound quality for patrons during our next decade of outdoor performances.”

The Roanoke Island Historical Association (RIHA) is the producing organization of The Lost Colony. Founded on January 8, 1932, its mission statement is: “to commemorate the history of the first English colonies in North America on Roanoke Island, North Carolina. This mission is primarily accomplished by the annual production of the symphonic outdoor drama The Lost Colony, and through educationally engaging events and programs.”

Vacations to the Outer Banks aren’t complete without experiencing The Lost Colony, America’s longest-running outdoor drama. The production is enormous and requires more than 120 actors and technicians to bring it to life each year. North Carolina native playwright, novelist, and Pulitzer Prize-winner Paul Green was commissioned by Roanoke Islanders to write The Lost Colony in 1932 to commemorate Virginia Dare’s 350th birthday. Locals built the Waterside Theater on the site of the original settlement. The production opened to a packed house in 1937 and has been seen by millions since then.