Roanoke Colonies Research Newsletter
Volume 6.1 (November 1998)

Cora Mae Basnight, Long-Time Lost Colony Cast Member, Dies

Cora Mae Basnight, who played the role of the lovestruck Native American woman Agona for twenty-five years in Paul Green’s symphonic drama The Lost Colony died on October 26 at the age of 88.  Basnight was born and raised on Roanoke Island.  Her first acting role came in 1921 when, as a child, she played in the locally produced silent movie The Lost Colony Film.  However, it wasn’t until 1957 that her acting career began in earnest.  In that year, she took over the role of Agona, the giggling Native American woman who, along with the reformed English beggar Old Tom, provides much of the comic relief in Green’s The Lost Colony through their budding love affair.  Basnight continued in the role of Agona every summer until 1982.  Her twenty-five-year run is thought to be the longest for any actress playing the same stage role in American theater.

Basnight was honored in many ways for her role with The Lost Colony.  In 1979, the Roanoke Island Historical Association, producers of the symphonic drama, presented her with their Distinguished Service Award, given occasionally to those who have demonstrated special devotion to the organization.  In 1982, during Basnight’s final production season, Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., gave a special proclamation on the season’s closing night, recognizing her contributions to American theater.  The proclamation read, in part, "She has truly brought joy to the thousands of people from all over America who have had the privilege of seeing her perform.”  In addition, in the mid-1980s, the bridge to Roanoke Island Festival Park was named the Cora Mae Basnight Bridge during the 400th anniversary celebrations of the Roanoke Island colonization attempts by the English, and later the 1992 season of The Lost Colony was dedicated to her.

Speaking as the chair of the Roanoke Island Historical Association, John Hughes noted that "The Lost Colony family is truly saddened by the loss of Cora Mae Basnight.  She was a great American actress and loved the show and her native Roanoke Island.  She was certainly one of our most distinguished alumni and we will miss her greatly."

In addition to acting, Basnight raised seven children, including the present North Carolina State Senate

President Pro Tem, Marc Basnight.  And in 1988, Basnight published with Suzanne Tate Memories of Manteo and Roanoke Island, a book that tied in with her frequent visits to area schools to talk about her early life on Roanoke Island during the first part of this century.  The family asks that those who wish to remember Basnight give donations in her name to The Lost Colony, 1409 Virginia Dare Trail, Manteo, NC 27954, or to Mount Olivet United Methodist Church Children’s Sunday School Class Fund, Ananias Dare St., Manteo, NC 27954.

Top
Contents Page