Construction to replace the destroyed Irene Smart Rains Costume Shop has progressed steadily over the winter months. Assistance from the Department of Cultural Resources and Evans has been a critical component of the project.
According to The Lost Colony Executive Director and Producer Carl Curnutte, the fast action of Evans and Mike Murray, Superintendent for the National Park Service (NPS) Outer Banks Group has been remarkable. “Both groups have been onboard with our recovering efforts from the start and are a powerful agent in the project’s completion,” says Curnutte.

“Our department’s theme in 2008 is ‘Telling Our Stories,’ and one of our most famous stories is that of The Lost Colony,” said Evans. “Our mission at Cultural Resources is to promote, protect, and preserve North Carolina’s culture and heritage, so we were honored to help The Lost Colony Outdoor Drama try to recover from the devastating costume shop fire.”

Likewise, Murray is pleased with NPS’s involvement in the process. "The production of The Lost Colony predates the establishment of Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and is a long-standing Outer Banks tradition that the National Park Service is proud to be associated with,” said Murray. “The fire was tragic, but the recovery effort has been triumphant. All involved greatly appreciate the generous support provided by Secretary Evans and the Department of Cultural Resources."

Like the costume shop before it, funding for the building has come from federal and state sources. Plans are for the building to be completed by March with an official opening event scheduled for April 30. This leaves little time left for costumes to be prepared for the drama’s May 30 opening.

Curnutte says although the building is incomplete, costume construction is underway at offsite locations in Manteo, Richmond, and New Jersey. “Once we have been given the keys to the building, people we be surprised how quickly we fill the space,” remarks the third-year Executive Director, Producer, and alumnus of the outdoor drama.“ Thanks to the generosity of many supporters, we already have a complete shop-full of fabric, notions, tables, chairs, desks, costumes and even pictures ready to hang on the walls once the job is done—with a bulk of the items given in-kind!”

Additionally, many foundations, banks, businesses, groups and individuals have contributed to the Costume Shop Replacement Fund, including Dare County Tourism Board and the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau whose quick-acting donation set the tone of support. However, much was lost in the disaster and additional funding is still needed to replace the costumes and items lost in the blaze. Monetary donations can be made online donations in donation boxes at local businesses in the area, through fund-raising accounts at BB&T, ECB, RBC, and Southern Banks, or by calling 252-473-2127.

The Lost Colony is the longest-running symphonic drama in America and opens its 71st season May 30th, 2008. It runs nightly Sunday through Friday, at 8:30pm, through August 20, 2008. For tickets click here >