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Archives for October 2020

New Director/Choreographer Jeff Whiting is Announced

The Lost Colony Introduces New Director / Choreographer
Broadway & New York Times Acclaimed Director Jeff Whiting joins for the 84th Season

The Roanoke Island Historical Association (RIHA) is proud to announce that Jeff Whiting will join their production team as the Director / Choreographer for the 84th season of The Lost Colony. A new era of leadership has commenced, bringing with it many exciting changes for RIHA and The Lost Colony.

RIHA Chairman Kevin Bradley states, “We are very excited about bringing in Jeff to direct The Lost Colony. We have had many great directors over the years and Jeff is extremely qualified to help launch the production to new levels of excellence. Jeff Whiting is a huge talent and we are fortunate to have him lead the artistic team.”

Whiting, who was recently acclaimed by the New York Times as a “director with a joyous touch” and praised on The View as “a truly remarkable talent”, is known for his success around the world as a director and choreographer for theatre, opera, television, special events and concerts. Jeff’s many credits include Associate Director on Broadway’s Bullets Over Broadway (6 Tony Nominations), Big Fish, The Scottsboro Boys (12 Tony Nominations), Hair (Tony Best Revival) and Wicked’s 5th Anniversary, as well as National Tour credits including Hairspray, Young Frankenstein, Rockin’ Road to Dublin, Christmas in Killarney and The Producers.

“I’m truly honored to be a part of the re-imagination of The Lost Colony and to have the chance to tell the story of one of the most fascinating mysteries in American history…it is my goal to honor the important historical significance of what occurred here on the shores of Roanoke Island, and to honor the legacy of this important theatrical work and what it means to us today. As the wind rolls off of Roanoke Sound, it whispers the tale and I believe it’s my job, as the Director, to listen to that breeze and bring to life what happened here so many years ago, changing the course of history”, states Whiting.

Whiting has also focused on his philanthropic work off the stage by opening The Open Jar Institute, which is a music theatre training program for the development of music theatre artists of all ages, as well as creating the Open Jar Studios, home to the largest rehearsal studio in New York City. Jeff is also the founder of The Broadway Relief Project, who employed over 400 individuals during the shutdown to make PPE for NYC public hospitals, in response to COVID-19. Lastly, the very skilled director designed and developed the world’s first digital method for documenting and staging choreography, known as the Stage Write Software, which is used in over 80 Broadway shows and tours.

After the 83rd season was cancelled due to COVID, the upcoming 84th season is an important time to comeback strong in the community. The Lost Colony staff and RIHA Board of Directors are extremely pleased and enthusiastic to introduce Jeff Whiting as their new Director / Choreographer.

 

Congratulations To The Lumbee Tribe!

PRESS RELEASE:
Office of the Tribal Chairman
Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina
Committee Approves Lumbee Recognition Bill; Legislation Headed to House Floor

Congrats Lumbee TribeWashington — Today the House Committee on Natural Resources approved a bill introduced by Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-NC) to provide federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.

The bi-partisan bill, called the “Lumbee Recognition Act” (H.R.1964) is co-sponsored by the Tribe’s congressman, Rep. Dan Bishop (R-NC) as well as Reps. Richard Hudson (R-NC), David Price (D-NC), Alma Adams (D-NC), Don Young (R-AK), and Bill Timmons (R-SC).

“I am pleased the Committee took this action and so grateful for the strong support and commitment of Mr. Butterfield and all the bill sponsors,” said tribal chairman Harvey Godwin.

The Tribe was recognized by the State of North Carolina in 1885 and has sought federal recognition since 1888.

“Our people are rooted in our deep faith, our love of the land, proper education, and maintaining our tribal ways.  This legislation is necessary to fix what Congress did in the 1950s and clarify that we do have a special relationship with the United States,” Godwin said.

If the bill is enacted, the Tribe and its nearly 60,000 members would be eligible for services provided by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and other federal agencies.  Already a presence in rural southeastern North Carolina, federal recognition would equip the Tribe to strengthen the regional economy for the benefit of all North Carolinians.

Today’s action is widely seen as the next step in remedying an injustice that has plagued the Lumbee people for generations.

“The Lumbee Tribe has waited years for the federal recognition they deserve and this is a monumental step in that direction,” said Rep. Bishop. “This legislation has been a top priority of mine during my first year in Congress, and I thank my colleagues Chairman Grijalva, Ranking Member Rob Bishop, Rep. Butterfield and Rep. Hudson for their support of the Lumbee. I urge my colleagues to bring this measure to the House of Representatives floor and pass this critical legislation that will change the course of Lumbee history for generations to come,” said Rep. Dan Bishop.

“I am thrilled by today’s vote in the House Committee on Natural Resources to advance my bill, H.R. 1964, to extend full federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina,” said Rep. Butterfield.  “For far too long the Lumbee have been denied the services and economic development opportunities they deserve and, most importantly, the recognition by the federal government of being a sovereign people, something the State of North Carolina has recognized since 1885.  Today’s vote is a critical step in rectifying this historical wrong.  I thank my colleagues on the Committee for their votes to pass my bill and look forward to it moving to the floor for passage out of the U.S. House of Representatives,” said Rep. G.K. Butterfield.

Contact: Danielle McLean, dmclean@lumbeetribe.com/910-522-5464
For Immediate Release: September 30, 2020