On a hot July day in 1587, 117 men, women, and children set foot on a New World. Their benefactor, Sir Walter Raleigh, had long dreamed of a permanent settlement, and finally, despite the threat of war with Spain, Queen Elizabeth I had consented.

They crossed the stormy Atlantic, leaving England behind for the promise of a new life. Despite threats of a harsh existence in an unfamiliar wilderness, they came to make a stand on Roanoke Island. And, as their ship anchored in the peaceful waters of Roanoke Sound, the colonists looked landward with a mix of trepidation and anticipation.

These brave settlers disappeared into the wilderness, leaving behind no trace of their fate and created a mystery that haunts modern historians as one of America's oldest. This is a story of hope and fear, of comedy and tragedy, of mystery and suspense. And it is retold each summer on the very site where it took place. The Lost Colony is America's first and longest-running outdoor drama. Written by Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Green, the "symphonic drama" combines history, drama, dance, and music into a spell-binding production that has enthralled over three million people since its premiere in 1937.

The Lost Colony is a two hour spectacle that brings 160 actors and technicians to the stage of historic Waterside Theatre on Roanoke Island. From the majesty of Queen Elizabeth's court to the terror of an Indian raid, The Lost Colony will enchant your entire family. With its legacy of excitement, mystery and regalia, America's first outdoor drama has been setting the stage in quality entertainment for over 60 years.

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