1940’s & 1950’s

R.G. Armstrong (Class of 1946-1954) –This famous film and television character actor appeared in dozens of Westerns and is perhaps best known for his work with director Sam Peckinpah. He began his career acting onstage with The Carolina Playmakers while attending the University of North Carolina and at The Lost Colony, where he played John Borden.
 

George Trautwein (Class of 1951-1975) – The former Colony choir director is a celebrated choral director, educator and music therapist.




 

Carl Kasell (Class of 1952) –You know the voice! Known to millions of NPR listeners as the newscaster of the daily newsmagazine “Morning Edition,” Carl spent one memorable summer at The Lost Colony in the role of Chief Wanchese. 

Eileen Fulton (Class of 1956) – This former Colony chorister appeared in the first Broadway production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, among dozens of stage and film roles. Soap opera audiences know her as the first “bad girl” on television for creating the long-running role of Lisa Miller on the CBS soap opera, “As the World Turns.”

Andy Griffith (Class of 1947-1953) – Andy Griffith is known far and wide for his television roles as Sheriff Andy Taylor on “The Andy Griffith Show” and as the rumpled, but charming, attorney Ben Matlock in “Matlock.” But it was summers spent at The Lost Colony that helped to sharpen Griffith’s theatrical skills. He performed at Waterside Theatre from 1947 to 1953, which included five years in the role of Sir Walter Raleigh.  

1960’s & 1970’s

Sen. Marc Basnight, Dem., N.C. (Class of 1960-61) – North Carolina’s Senator Pro Tempore performed as a colonist child for several seasons in the 1950s; his mother, Cora Mae Basnight made famous the role of Agona, which she played for more than 30 years

Jacqueline Pierce (Class of 1963, 1965-66) – This Mezzo-Soprano’s musical career has taken her from The Lost Colony, where she sang in the choir, to performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the Metropolitan Opera.
 

Fred Voelpel (Class of 1964-1986) – An award-winning New York theatre costume and scenic designer was The Lost Colony’s costumer for many years.

Joe Layton * (Class of 1964-1984) – When this rising Broadway choreographer and director was approached about directing The Lost Colony in 1963, he had never heard of the production or Roanoke Island. He soon fell in love with both and ended up directing the outdoor drama for 20 years. Joe’s resume included the Tony Award-wining Broadway hits:  George M! and No Strings, plus Bette Midler’s Clams-on-the-Half Shell Revue, Barnum and Woman of the Year. He directed the films Annie, Richard Pryor – Live on the Sunset Strip and Thoroughly Modern Millie. He also created and staged shows for a number of musical entertainers, including four television specials for Barbra Streisand.

Ira David Wood, III (Class of 1968-1971) – The executive director and founder of Raleigh, N.C.’s Theatre in the Park played Sir Walter and Old Tom.

Leon Rippy (Class of 1970-71) – This Hollywood film and television actor is now appearing on “Saving Grace.”  He has been seen in “Stargate,” “The Arrival” and “The Patriot,” among other films. He was an actor/technician in The Lost Colony in the early 1970s

Mavis Ray (Class of 1973-74) – In her career, Mavis danced on Broadway, with the New York City Ballet and worked as an assistant to the famed choreographer Agnes de Mille. At The Lost Colony she played Queen Elizabeth I and was assistant choreographer.

Barbara Dare Thomas Hartwig – (Class of 1974-1978, 1984-85, 2006-2007) – The Lost Colony’s current choreographer started her professional career as a child performer in The Lost Colony and went on to appear in numerous musicals and film performances, including the film “Annie” and Broadway’s Bring Back Birdie.

Betsy Friday * (Class of 1976) – A Broadway theatre actress, she appeared in The Secret Garden and Bring Back Birdie.

Matt Crabtree (Class of 1994-95) – A former Colony dancer, Matt has appeared on television in “The O.C.,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Will and Grace,” “Jake in Progress,” “Nip/Tuck” and “Days of Our Lives.”

Terrance “Terry” Mann (Class of 1976-1977) – “Terry” danced in The Lost Colony in the 1970s and played the role of Old Tom in 1977 before launching a Broadway career that included lead roles in Barnum, Cats Les Misérables and Beauty and the Beast. He returned to direct The Lost Colony for the 2001 to 2004 production seasons.

Chuck Wagner (Class of 1977-78) – Actor Chuck Wagner’s Broadway stage career includes leading roles in The Three Musketeers, Into the Woods, Les Misérables and Beauty and the Beast. He appeared most recently in Dracula, The Musical. Television viewers known him from his title role in the series “Automan,” and as Randall Thompson on “General Hospital.”

Chris Elliot (Class of 1979) – This comedian has appeared in dozens of films and television series, but is famous for simply playing himself in guest appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman.

1980’s & 1990’s

Colleen Dewhurst * (Guest Star 1984) – The notable television, theatre and film actress was awarded four Emmy’s and two Tony Awards. She guest starred in the role of Queen Elizabeth I during The Lost Colony’s 1984 production season.

George Grizzard (Guest Star 1984) – This Tony and Emmy Award-winning film and stage actor has appeared in more than 40 films and a dozen television programs. In 1984, he guest starred in The Lost Colony in the role of Old Tom.

Barbara Hird (Class of 1986-1995) – A native of Bradford, England, Barbara is remembered for her bristling interpretation of Queen Elizabeth I in The Lost Colony. Today, she continues to play Elizabeth in the long-running one-woman play, Elizabeth R.

William Ivey Long (Costume Designer, 1987–present) – The Lost Colony’s production designer is a five-time Tony Award winning costume designer for the Broadway stage. But it was summers in Manteo that made him who he is. While his mother performed in front of the footlights as Queen Elizabeth I, and his father worked as property master, technical director and director (respectively), a young William spent numerous hours in The Lost Colony costume shop under the eye of the late Irene Smart Rains, who then served as costume designer. He has said it was her guidance and encouragement that helped to lay the foundation for his successful theatrical career.

Carl V. Curnutte, III (Class of 1988-96, 2000-2008) – The Lost Colony’s current executive director and producer began his theatrical career at Waterside Theatre as a costume assistant. Carl has enjoyed success working on many award-winning television, film and Broadway productions. He was nominated for an Emmy Award for costume direction for HBO’s “Iron Jawed Angels.”

Peter Paige (Class of 1988) – This television and film actor has appeared in films and on television, including a featured role in the Showtime series “Queer As Folk.”

Steve Kazee (Class of 1997, 2001-03) – This popular stage actor starred opposite Audra McDonald in the Broadway revival 110 in the Shade. He also starred as Lancelot in the popular Broadway musical Spamalot and has appeared on NBC’s “Medium with Patricia Arquette".

Brandon Wardell (Class of 1994, 1998) – This former Colony actor has appeared on Broadway in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Assassins and Good Vibrations.

2000’s

Derek Keeling (Class of 2001) – This singer/dancer was seen as a finalist on the NBC reality series “You’re The One That I Want.”

Lynn Redgrave (Guest Star 2006) – Who better to guest star as Queen Elizabeth I in The Lost Colony than this talented actress who hails from one of England’s most famous theatrical families.

 (* deceased)