Costume Shop Fire
On September 11, 2007 a resident of Nags Head, North Carolina spotted a fire across the sound on Roanoke Island and called 9-11. All fire departments north of Oregon Inlet responded to find part of The Lost Colony’s Waterside Theatre in flames. The fire crews worked to control the blaze, and to save the men’s dressing room structure nearby. In spite of their efforts the maintenance shed, Irene Smart Rains Costume Shop, and a small storage building were completely destroyed. No cause has been determined.
Except for a few costumes stored at the dry cleaners and others on display at the NC Museum of History in Raleigh, the productions costumes suffered a total loss. The destroyed costumes include vintage costumes by Irene Rains in the 1940s and 1950s; all of Fred Voelpel’s costumes made in the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s, and the costumes designed by Tony award-winner William Ivey Long.
Another fire is a part of the production's past. Sixty years before on June 24, 1947, a late afternoon fire destroyed most of the theatre. However, the costumes in the 1947 disaster escaped the flames and the theatre was rebuilt in six days and resumed production that summer. American actor Andy Griffith was in the company at the time and assisted with the rebuild.
Recovery from the 2007 tragedy involved assistance from federal, state, and local sources in additions to donations from individuals and foundations. The costumes were replaced and the building was rebuilt for opening night on May 30, 2008.
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