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Local Child to Join the Cast of The Lost Colony

   Written by on May 5, 2021 at 4:11 pm

MANTEO, N.C. – March 13 was a fairly normal day for Chase City native Kinley Jackson, daughter of Kelsey McCluster, aside from the fact that she was getting ready to face a fierce audition amongst talent from across America. She arrived at the Waterside Theatre in Manteo, North Carolina and was whisked away for a three hour audition by the production staff of The Lost Colony. Auditions consist of singing, acting, dancing and/or puppetry skills. The Lost Colony is the nation’s premier and longest running outdoor symphonic drama. The Lost Colony has a cast of only 120 members, all talented individuals, who travel from across America to compete for a part in the notable cast. It was in God’s plan for this 11-year-old child from Chase City to be a part of the 84th season cast. Kinley will join The Lost Colony for long days of practice in early May and will begin performing May 31, 2021. She will perform on the same stage that notable alumni Andy Griffith, Terrence Mann, Eileen Fulton, Chris Elliott, George Grizzard, Mavis Ray and  North Carolina Senator Marc Basnight performed on in years past. In 2013, The Lost Colony received the Tony Award for excellence in theatre and is the only organization in North Carolina to receive such an award. Since 1937, millions of people have seen The Lost Colony which tells the story of the first 117 English men, women and children to settle in America and seemingly disappear. There are many speculations as to what happened to the first settlement and the 117 individuals. Could they have met their untimely fate at the hands of the local Native American tribes, or did the Spaniards captured them, maybe a deadly hurricane struck the area that year, or is it possible that they joined the Croatan Indian tribe and moved to another location near what is now known as Hatteras Island. Regardless of what history may reveal during this theatrical production it is certain that it appears the 117 individuals vanished into thin air taking with them Virginia Dare, the first English child born in America on August 18,1587. 

If you will be on vacation in the Outer Banks this summer you are encouraged to make a short trip to Roanoke Island to see The Lost Colony and decide what fate you think the settlement met. While there be sure to say hello to Kinley and other members of the cast after the show. The show runs from May 28 through August 21, 2021 at 8:30 p.m. and tickets start at just $20, children 5 and under are free every night. Visit www.thelostcolony.org for more information and to reserve your spot to see this Chase City native make her debut on the big stage. 

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