The Cape Fear Regional Theatre (CFRT) is proud to announce the start of construction and the groundbreaking ceremony for their new building on Monday, April 7, 2025, at 12pm at 1209 Hay St., in Fayetteville. 

CFRT blends national and regional talent to bring Broadway-quality performances to Fayetteville and serves over 62,000 people annually through five main-stage musicals and plays and robust education and outreach departments. 

“CFRT’s building at 1209 Hay St. has housed world class arts, launched countless careers, and brought together tens of thousands of people annually through the power of live arts. The last renovation was in 1988, and our aging building can no longer sustain the incredible demand for our programs. We know that with more space, we can serve more people.”  said CFRT Managing Director Ella Wrenn in a press release. 

Act 1 of CFRT’s campaign took place during 2020 and renovated the inside of the theatre auditorium with new seats, more legroom, new HVAC, a custom sound system designed by a TONY Award winning sound designer, and a full aesthetic re-vamp. More than 200 community members showed their support by naming the new seats, allowing the renovation to be fully paid for in line with the public re-opening in December of 2021. 

“People love the renovated auditorium! CFRT really listened to their patrons and made design choices that addressed all the most frequent customer complaints – and even gave us things we didn’t know we wanted (like cupholders!),” said Board President Bill Hedgepeth in a press release. “The Act 2 expansion will bring the same level of excellence to the rest of the facility and create an exceptional customer experience from start to finish!”

In January 2022, donors, patrons and special guests were the first to hear about plans to expand and renovate the rest of CFRT’s facility at The Launch Party. ACT 2 is a $23 million project that will add height to the building, creating dedicated classroom space, a grand lobby with spaces for community gathering and private events, a rooftop experience with a second stage for live music and craft cocktails, and enhanced functionality of staff and artist spaces. Additionally, a new 60+ space parking lot will create an exceptional customer experience from start to finish. 

Once complete, the renovated building will be a testament to the creativity, community, and inspiring individuals who have made their signature impact as part of the theater’s next chapter.

“We are so deeply grateful for the amazing support that has turned Fayetteville’s Little Theatre into a regional cultural powerhouse. The love that this community has for the theatre is unlike anything else I have experienced in my career – Fayetteville and Cumberland County truly understand the value that arts have in shaping our communities,” said Artistic Director

 Mary Catherine Burke in a press release. “We’ve gathered at the theatre for more than 60 years, and this transformative project will kick off and sustain the theatre for the next 60.” 

The Act 2 Expansion is designed by SfL+a Architects (Fayetteville/Raleigh) with the Samet Corporation is serving as the general contractor. The project is 80% funded thanks to support from The State of NC, The City of Fayetteville, and numerous foundations, businesses, and individuals. More information on available naming and donor opportunities can be found at www.cfrt.org/capital-campaign/support-act-2/.