At noon today, April 7, Cape Fear Regional Theatre officially broke ground on an expansion and renovation of their facility at 1209 Hay St. 

This transformative project was born from CFRT’s remarkable growth from serving 43,000 people annually in 2018 to more than 62,000 people in 2024. The new building, designed by SfL&a Architects, with General Contracting by Samet Corporation – began demolition work on March 24 and is expected to reopen by Winter 2026. 

The project will double CFRT’s existing square footage, from 20,000 sq feet to 40,000 sq feet. Highlights of the expanded facility include two studios for CFRT’s rapidly growing education programs, a grand lobby with a mezzanine for private events and a rooftop event space which will serve craft cocktails and feature a second stage for live music.  

Speakers at the event included early supporters Ralph and Linda Huff, Mayor Mitch Colvin, Cumberland County Commissioner Chairman Kirk deViere, and Representative Diane Wheatley, CFRT’s Board President Bill Hedgepeth, CFRT’s long-time House Manager Col. (ret.) Willie Wright, Steering Committee member Maj. Gen. (ret.) Al T. Aycock, as well as Sutton Hammond, the campaign’s youngest donor (eight years old), and Clay Thorp whose mother Bo founded the theatre back in 1962.  

“In April 2022, we applauded her [Bo] for all she had done – the effort, the perspiration, the cajoling, and dare I say, the manipulating she deployed to launch the Fayetteville Little Theatre, now the Cape Fear Regional Theatre over 60 years ago” said Clay Thorp at the event. “Since then, there have been countless occasions for local talents to find their gifts, children to perform, to have a community, a family, to find their own special place to be themselves.” 

As the ceremony drew to a close, CFRT’s Artistic Director, Mary Catherine Burke, took to the stage as the final speaker before the official groundbreaking took place.  

“Every show, every season, we are overwhelmed with the love that you have for CFRT. This community has done more than sustain this theatre for 63 years – you have tended it, loved it and grown it into the incredible institution it is today,” remarked Burke during her speech. “And here we are, as you were when Bo started doing shows back in the 60s, or when The Little Theatre became Cape Fear Regional Theatre in the 80s, needing to make a change to ensure that generations more will benefit from CFRT. This is the next chapter of CFRT’s great story, and you are vital to this campaign’s success.” 

The funding for this project is a public/private partnership with commitments in place from the State of NC and City of Fayetteville as well as support from The Cannon Foundation, The Longleaf Fund, Truist Foundation, Fayetteville Public Works Commission, The H.M. & Pearl Kyle Foundation, The Cumberland Community Foundation, First Citizens Bank, and The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County as well as nearly 100 individual donors. 

CFRT has donor opportunities and naming rights still available. For more information, visit CFRT.org.