Cape Fear Regional Theatre (CFRT) has announced their 2026-27 activities, which will include live, professional theatre productions and a suite of educational and outreach initiatives with support from the Community Organization  Resource (CORE) grant from the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. 

“The Arts Council’s support is truly a cornerstone for all of our work, from Mainstage productions to camps and classes to outreach into schools. Ticket sales account for less than 40% of CFRT’s budget, and so the funding provided by the CORE Grant we receive  allows us to dream boldly about how we serve the community and the stories we tell onstage.” said Artistic Director Mary Kate Burke in a press release. 

CFRT’s 26-27 mainstage season has something for everyone including Bright Star (Sept 2026) a bluegrass musical set in North Carolina; the 35th annual community production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Dec 2026); Disney’s Frozen: The Broadway Musical (Jan/Feb 2027); One Man, Two Guvnors (Mar 2027) starring CFRT’s own Director of Education Marc de la Concha; and Big Fish (May 2027) featuring choreography by EMMY winner Tyce Diorio. Additionally, CFRT will continue its popular education programs, including Spring and Summer Theatre Camps, Drama Day Camps, The Passport Series, Studio classes, and the CFRTour.  

“We look forward to seeing our audiences back this season, first at Owen Drive and then later at 1209 Hay Street in the new building!!” said Managing Director, Ella Wrenn in a press release. “We are so grateful to The Arts Council for all the ways that their support makes Cumberland County a place where creativity thrives and communities come together to feel inspired!”   

The Arts Council’s CORE may be awarded to local arts agencies in Cumberland County whose programs are vital to the cultural life of the community and whose organizations have reached a size and maturity that assure their long-term viability; CFRT received $250,000.

 The purpose of CORE Grants is to strengthen and stabilize major arts institutions and help them to deliver high-quality arts services to the citizens of Cumberland County.