The Cora Mae Basnight Memorial Scholarship Award
Cora Mae was a gifted pianist-who was accepted at the prestigious Peabody Conservatory for Music in Baltimore. Cora Mae performed in The The Lost Colony from 1957 to 1984, playing the role of Agona. She thrived in the role and has the distinct record of portraying the same role for longer than anyone else in American Theatre history. In honor of Cora Mae’s extraordinary achievements and contributions, we are proud to be able to offer a scholarship in her name. The Cora Mae Basnight Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a The Lost Colony company member who has shown distinction in music, be it vocal, instrumental, composition, or direction, dedication to excellence in theatrical musical performance, and commitment to The Lost Colony. This year, the scholarship will be shared by 2 company members who kept the musical integrity of The Lost Colony in tact, both on stage and off. The winners of the Cora Mae Basnight Memorial Scholarship Award are Kristina Brooke Swearingen and Ruthie Sangster.
The Bob Knowles Award
Bob Knowles is referred to as “our man at the top of the hill”, and everyone who knew him speaks nothing but niceties about him. The Bob Knowles Award is given to a Company Member who personifies the sense of professionalism in the Lost Colony company that Knowles set, both onstage and off. The awarded company member seeks to further the purpose and message of The Lost Colony, conducts themselves with dignity and respect, and sets an example for those around them. This year, we are pleased to offer the Bob Knowles Award to not one but 2 outstanding company members, Stuart Parks II and Ashleigh Ponder.
The Evelyn Russell Layton Award
Evelyn Russell Layton Award is named after Evelynn Russell Layton. The wife of Legendary The Lost Colony director Joe Layton, Evelynn Russell was a consummate professional and performer who believed that theatre was everything. This award is dedicated to her memory and to the level of professionalism that she brought to her work. The award is given to a company member who shows great promise in their theatrical career, and during their summer with us at The Lost Colony, has shown their dedication to both the show and the craft of theatre in general. This year, we are proud to present the Evelyn Russell Layton Award to Tyler Fox.
The Robert Midgette Alumni Association Award
Robert Midgette is nothing short of a The Lost Colony legend. A native to Roanoke Island, Robert and almost his entire family have been involved with The Lost Colonythroughout the years. Bob was involved with the show for 48 seasons, and during these seasons he played Manteo for 26 years and served as The Lost Colony’s Fight Director for 14 years. This award, which is graciously funded by The Lost Colony Alumni Association, is given to a returning company member who is chosen by their peers. This person shows great enthusiasm, professionalism, and dedication to The Lost Colony, and this year we are proud to present the Robert Midgette Alumni Association Award to Nakya Leviner.
The Bradford Fearing Producers Award
This award is given to either a The Lost Colony Company Member or full-time Roanoke Island Historical Association employee, who contributed to the success and continuation of our annual production, and signifies their contributions and merit. It is named after Bradford Fearing, one of the founding members of the Roanoke Island Historical Association, who has been called “the guiding genius of The Lost Colony”. This year, we are proud to present this award to Matt Gabbard.
