Proceeds from the Family Weekend performances of “Collage” will help replace costumes destroyed in a Sept. 11 fire at the theatre that hosts the outdoor drama presentations of “The Lost Colony” at Manteo on North Carolina’s Roanoke Island. Michael Miller (senior Music Theatre Major and “Wanchese” for the past two summers at “The Lost Colony”) spoke at every performance about his family at The Lost Colony and the destruction and sadness of the fire. The amphitheater and its sets were saved. But the costume shop yards away was destroyed, including 70 years of costumes, fabrics, sketches and other artifacts and memorabilia.
Over many years, Elon theatre majors have been part of “The Lost Colony” productions, and the Performing Arts department decided this was an opportunity to give back through a fundraiser. A total of $1,000 was contributed to the Costume Replacement Fund.
“The Lost Colony” is the nation’s longest-running symphonic outdoor drama. It tells the tale of English settlers who came to Manteo in 1587, decades before their more famous counterparts at Plymouth Rock, but who mysteriously disappeared. The production celebrated its 70th anniversary this summer.