THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 24, 1994 TAG: 9410240055
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LANE DEGREGORY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ROANOKE ISLAND LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
After paying their own way for more than half a century, Queen Elizabeth, Sir Walter Raleigh and their lost colonists finally are getting some financial support from across the state.
``The Lost Colony'' outdoor drama has been self-sufficient since Outer Banks locals began performing the historical pageant in 1937.
Recent increases in staging, costuming and salary costs, however, have caused expenses to soar.
In August 1993, officials with the Roanoke Island Historical Association - a nonprofit group that produces the play - kicked off ``The Lost Colony's'' first fund-raising campaign.
The group hopes to raise $3 million to create an endowment for the drama.
So far, government, business and private contributors have donated more than $1.5 million.
``We're very pleased that after little more than a year we're already half way to our goal,'' spokesman Eric M. Hause said last week. ``I never knew what kind of backing `The Lost Colony' had across North Carolina. There's a real commitment to keeping it going. We've been very fortunate.''
The nation's longest-running outdoor pageant, ``The Lost Colony'' depicts the struggle of the first English settlers. In 1587, a group of colonists backed by Raleigh tried to create a fort on Roanoke Island's north end. Queen Elizabeth I authorized the expedition, but the settlers disappeared a few years later.
About 80,000 people from across the country attend ``The Lost Colony'' productions each summer. The play includes 150 actors, technicians, musicians, costumers and staff members. It costs about $1.1 million annually to produce.
A $3 million endowment would provide about $150,000 in interest each year. The principle amount of that fund would not be touched, Hause said. Interest would go directly into the play's operating budget. ``What the endowment fund is designed to do is to provide a financial backbone for `The Lost Colony,' '' said J. Richard Futtrell Jr., who chairs the Statewide Endowment Committee.
``My prediction is that by the time we reach our goal, we will have developed a coalition of support that covers ground from Manteo to Murphy.''
Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. - and North Carolina's taxpayers - have made the largest donation to the pageant's endowment fund thus far. On Aug. 18, 1993, Hunt gave the endowment fund $500,000 in state money. Legislators required that private or corporate contributions match that amount.
East Carolina Bank, Centura Bank and Carolina Telephone also have donated large sums to the endowment fund. With Carolina Telephone's assistance, ``The Lost Colony'' will be featured on next year's cover of 2 million North Carolina telephone directories. Other businesses may choose to endow a single character in the play, such as Queen Elizabeth I or Old Tom.
Locally, Dare County residents have donated about $180,000 to the endowment so far. Fund-raisers hope to collect $225,000 from Outer Banks residents and businesses. Contributions have ranged from $10 to thousands.
To help raise money, the Roanoke Island Historical Association is sponsoring a Rovin' Rogue Raffle. For $20, anyone can buy a chance to win a 17 1/2-foot Grady White powerboat with motor and trailer. About 2,000 tickets will be sold. Half are still available for the Nov. 18 drawing. The boat is on display at the Nags Head Fishing Pier.
`` `The Lost Colony' endowment campaign is the only such drive that we know of that will benefit an outdoor drama,'' said Roanoke Island Historical Association Chairman Thomas L. White. The endowment, White added, will ensure ``that the curtain will never close on the first outdoor drama in the nation.''
KEYWORDS: FUND RAISING by CNB