Cape Fear Regional Theatre celebrates topping-off ceremony for Act 2: Expand & Elevate

By Staff Report, posted May 18, 2026 on BizFayetteville.com

Photo courtesy of The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County

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.

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