Cape Fear Regional Theatre (CFRT) celebrated the topping-off ceremony for its transformational capital expansion project, Act 2: Expand & Elevate, marking a major milestone in construction with the placement of the final structural beam on the theatre’s new facility at 1209 Hay Street.
Cape Fear Regional Theatre, a nationally recognized regional theatre, produces Broadway-quality performances and serves tens of thousands of patrons annually through mainstage productions, education programs and outreach initiatives. The ceremony represented significant progress toward CFRT’s vision of expanding its campus to better serve artists, audiences and the greater Fayetteville community.
“We are looking at 1,622 pieces of steel holding this vision together. It weighs nearly 400,000 pounds. That is massive, literal weight, but it is nothing compared to the weight of the dreams that have been carried within these walls for decades,” said Artistic Director Mary Catherine Burke in a press release. “You staked your name on this steel, and today, this steel is standing tall. This is where possibility lives. This is where we show the world that Fayetteville doesn’t just work hard – we dream big.”
The expansion project will enhance CFRT’s ability to meet growing demand by modernizing facilities, increasing capacity, and improving accessibility for artists and audiences alike. Chief among the improvements are the addition of Studios to support CFRT’s thriving classes and camps, and a rooftop event space that will feature live music and other micro-events.
More than 100 donors, elected officials, and stakeholders joined CFRT at the Topping Off Ceremony which featured remarks from CFRT leadership, project partners, and community stakeholders, as well as a traditional beam signing, allowing supporters to leave their mark on this historic moment.
“Arts are not extra” said Mr. Kennon Jackson, the incoming president/CEO of The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, in a press release. “The arts are core civic infrastructure. They provide education, belonging, and identity. They develop workforce skills. They create shared experiences across our differences. This is not just a theatre project; it is economic infrastructure.”
CFRT has deep roots in Fayetteville, having served the region since 1962 and impacting generations through the transformative power of live theatre. The Act 2 campaign builds on past investments, including recent renovations to the auditorium that improved seating, sound and audience experience.
Photo provided by magnific.comWith Mother’s Day coming up this weekend, I’d like to give a shoutout to my wonderful mom, who has done so much to shape me into the person I am today. My mom, Jeanne Meador, is a brilliant example of a selfless, in
At center, Chancellor Darrell T. Allison and Juanette Council, Ed.D., vice chancellor for student affairs, cut the ribbon to celebrate the grand reopening of Fayetteville State University's newly renovated Spaulding Building, joined by campus leaders
FCEDC has officially moved its staff and operations to 611 W. Russell St. The 35,800- square-foot center was previously home to Homemakers Furniture and Interiors. Renovations began in the fall of 2025 and are expected to be completed in the next six to eight months. Currently, FCEDC staff are working within an open 7,500-square-foot floor plan as initial improvements progress.
