Robert Knowles Papers, PC.5311

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Robert Knowles Papers, PC.5311

Abstract

Robert Knowles worked as a production coordinator, producer, and general manager of the annual production of Paul Green's The Lost Colony from 1969 to 1993. This collection contains production materials collected by Knowles during his tenure with The Lost Colony, including annotated scripts, stage notes, photographs and diagrams of sets, lighting directions, cues, blocking information, and other documents pertaining to the minutiae of staging the production.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Robert Knowles Papers
Call Number
PC.5311
Creator
Knowles, Robert Levis, 1925-2010
Date
1958-1993
Extent
1.700 cubic feet
Language
English
Repository
Outer Banks History Center

Series Quick Links

  1. Collection Contents

Restrictions on Access & Use

Access Restrictions

Available for research.

Use Restrictions

Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as stipulated by the United States copyright law (Title 17 US Code). Individual researchers are responsible for using these materials in conformance with copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying these materials.

Material pertaining to the 1984 production may not be loaned outside of the Outer Banks History Center.

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], PC.5311, Robert Knowles Papers, Outer Banks History Center, Manteo, NC, U.S.A.

Collection Overview

The Robert Knowles Papers, 1958-1993, consists of production materials collected by Knowles during his tenure with The Lost Colony. The collection includes annotated scripts, stage notes, photographs and diagrams of sets, lighting directions, cue sheets, blocking information, and other documents pertaining to the minutiae of staging the annual performance of Paul Green's symphonic drama, The Lost Colony. Many of these materials are from the 1984 season, the last production directed by acclaimed Broadway director Joe Layton. Some papers are described as being removed from the "Big Book," the master production manual for each performance. These pages appear to reflect scenes that were changed or deleted from year to year.

Arrangement Note

Chronological. Original folder titles have been retained.

Biographical/Historical

Robert Levis Knowles was born 22 June 1925 in Ft. Pierce, Florida, to Thomas C. Knowles and Lillie Knowles. He attended high school in Stuart, Florida, and served with the 12th Armored Division of the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946. He attended John B. Stetson University, graduating with a B.A. in speech and drama in 1949, then obtained his master's in theatre production from the University of Florida the following year. He held a professorship in theatre at Auburn University from 1951 to 1967, then moved back to Florida where he served as the executive director of Theatre Jacksonville for the next 13 years.

In 1969, Knowles began vacationing to Roanoke Island with his family, and he was hired to serve as production coordinator for the annual production of Paul Green's outdoor symphonic drama, The Lost Colony. He was named associate producer in 1975, and in 1980 he relocated to Roanoke Island with his wife, Nancy, where he served as general manager of the production until his retirement in 1993. By the time he retired, Knowles had directed over 200 productions. Knowles moved to LaGrange, Georgia, in 2008 to be closer to his daughters and passed away 11 October 2010 at the age of 85.

Contents of the Collection

Collection Contents
Script, 1958
Box 1
Script, 1961
Box 1
Script, 1967
Box 1
Script, 1968
Box 1
Pages Removed from Big Book, 1970
Box 1
Script, 1971
Box 1
Pages Removed from Big Book, 1971
Box 1
Pages Removed from Big Book, 1972
Box 2
Script, 1974
Box 2
Script, Left Stage Manager, 1974
Box 2
Pages Removed from Big Book, 1974
Box 2
Pages Removed from Big Book, 1975
Box 2
Crowd Ad-Libs in Act I, Scene 5, 1975
Box 2
Pages Removed from Big Book, 1976
Box 2
Pages Removed from Big Book, 1978
Box 2
Pages Removed from Big Book, 1979
Box 2
Script, 1980
Box 2
Pages Removed from Big Book, 1981
Box 2
Focus Charts by Nananne Porcher, 1981
Box 2
Pages Removed from Big Book, 1982
Box 3
Stage Notes, 1983
Box 3
Script and Cast Sheets, 1984
Box 3
[Big Book Supplemental Material?], 1984
Box 3
Stage Notes, 1984
Box 3
Notes by Nananne Porcher, 1984
Box 3
Blocking Cards and Audiocassette, 1984
Box 4
Blocking, 1984
Box 5
Revised Book: Cueing, 1984
Box 5
Enclosures: Revised Book: Cueing, 1984
Box 5
Permanent Record of 1984 Production [3 folders], 1984
Box 5
Scripts [Production Year Not Identified], circa 1980s
Box 3
Sheet Music, 1993
Box 3

Subject Headings

  • Green, Paul, 1894-1981--Lost Colony
  • Layton, Joe, 1931-
  • Pageants--North Carolina--Manteo
  • Theater, Open-air--North Carolina--Roanoke Island

    • Acquisitions Information

    Donated by Robert Knowles, 2005.

    Processing Information

  • Processed by Samantha Crisp, January 2020.