The Lost Colony is America’s first outdoor symphonic drama, and it has been performed on Roanoke Island since 1937. Written by the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paul Green, it dramatises the story of the 1587 English colonists who disappeared, using music, dance, costumes and a cast that includes local actors and student performers. The play is staged at the Waterside Theatre, an open-air amphitheatre beside Roanoke Sound inside Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, which gives the performance a sense of place few theatres can match. Seated under the stars, with sound breezes on your face, you watch Queen Elizabeth’s court, the Algonquian people, the settlers and the mystery unfold. It is a traditional production in the best sense, with big ensemble scenes, a live score and a finale that has drawn audiences for generations.
The season
The drama runs in the summer, generally from late May or early June through August, with evening performances on most nights of the week and a dark day or two. Curtain time is after dusk, so the show starts around 8 pm and lasts a little over two hours.
Exact dates change from year to year, and the theatre sometimes adds special events, so check the production’s website before you plan. Tickets can be booked in advance and are often best reserved a few days ahead for weekends, when the theatre can fill. Children’s ticket rates and group discounts are common.
Practical advice
Roanoke Island’s evenings can be warm and buzzing with mosquitoes, so bring insect repellent, a light jacket for the breeze and a seat cushion for the benches. Arrive early to park, collect tickets and enjoy a pre-show picnic or a look around Fort Raleigh before the sun sets. If rain threatens, check the company’s weather policy. The theatre is accessible, with reserved seating, and concession stands sell drinks and snacks. The production is family-friendly, with some battle scenes and dramatic effects, so very young children may find it long.
Making it a day
Combine an afternoon at Fort Raleigh and the Elizabethan Gardens with dinner in Manteo, then drive the short distance to the theatre for the evening performance. Many families treat it as a tradition and return year after year. The show also pairs with the OBX ghost tour in Manteo for a theme-night of colonial mystery and legend.
If you are staying on the beach, allow time to drive back across the causeway after the show, since traffic can build when the audience leaves. For history lovers, seeing the story staged under the stars after walking the actual site is one of the most memorable evenings on the Outer Banks.
Behind the scenes
The production uses a large cast of actors, singers and dancers, and many people return year after year, so the show has a close-knit, community feeling. It has been performed for generations, and visitors often recall seeing it as children. Costumes, sets and lighting are designed to suit an open-air theatre, and the music supports the storytelling. If you want to learn more, ask about backstage or pre-show talks, which are sometimes offered. Accessibility seating is available, so contact the box office early to arrange it.
What to expect
The experience
An evening outdoor symphonic drama in an open-air amphitheatre, with live music, large ensemble scenes and the Lost Colony story.
Best time
Summer evenings during the performance season; check dates.
How long
A little over two hours.
Tips
Bring repellent, a light jacket and a seat cushion, arrive early to park, and check the weather policy.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History fans, families and anyone who enjoys live theatre outdoors.
- Families
- A classic family tradition, though little ones may find it long.
- Couples
- A memorable evening under the stars.
- Pair with
- Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and dinner in Manteo.
- Time needed
- An evening.
Good questions
When does The Lost Colony run?+
It is a summer show, generally from late spring through August. Check the production website for exact dates.
Who wrote it?+
Paul Green, who won a Pulitzer Prize for drama, wrote the script, and it has been performed since 1937.
Where is it performed?+
At the Waterside Theatre inside Fort Raleigh National Historic Site on Roanoke Island.
Is it good for children?+
It is family-friendly, though the length and some dramatic scenes may be too much for very young children.
What should I bring?+
Insect repellent, a light jacket and a seat cushion.