THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 25, 1995 TAG: 9510250555
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
DATELINE: ROANOKE ISLAND LENGTH: Short : 40 lines
America's longest-running outdoor drama, ``The Lost Colony,'' will for the first time serve as host of the Institute of Outdoor Drama's 33rd annual conference starting today.
Nearly 70 representatives of outdoor dramas across the nation are expected on the Outer Banks through Saturday.
``We are, of course, very excited about having the institute here,'' said Thomas L. White Jr., chairman of the Roanoke Island Historical Association, producer of ``The Lost Colony.''
``In addition to showcasing `The Lost Colony,' we will have the opportunity to learn what other outdoor dramas across the country are doing.''
The Institute of Outdoor Drama, headquartered in Chapel Hill, N.C., is an advisory and research agency of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and serves as an umbrella organization for 96 outdoor dramas in 34 states.
The 33rd annual conference is headquartered at the Ramada Inn at Nags Head Beach.
The centerpiece of this year's conference is ``The Lost Colony,'' the grandfather of the American outdoor dramas.
On Thursday, conference participants will spend the day at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, touring Waterside Theater in the morning with lunch on the grounds, followed by three seminars that afternoon featuring ``Lost Colony'' senior administrative staff members, director Fred Chappell, and Cora Mae Basnight, who played Agona in ``The Lost Colony'' for many years.
Conference participants will tour ``Lost Colony'' company housing at Morrison Grove. In addition, several Roanoke Island Historical Association board members will be on hand to represent the outdoor drama with participants. by CNB