In 1962, no one would have imagined that a small group of local actors would one day evolve into one of the finest theatres in the state. It all began with a two-show season starting with the classic Dicken’s A Christmas Carol performed at Alexander Graham Junior High and the courtroom drama The Night of January 16th performed at the Fayetteville Courthouse. Everything from props to lights was borrowed. This small group of enthusiasts, under the leadership of former Playmaker Bo Thorp, formed the Fayetteville Little Theatre. With the community’s support, funds were raised to renovate the building incorporate two adjacent buildings. On the advice of State Senators Tony Rand, Lura Tally, and others, the theatre changed its name to Cape Fear Regional Theatre.

CFRT features a three-story complex with a 300-seat main stage and contracts actors, writers, and designers from throughout the country. CFRT’s six-show main stage season and robust education and outreach programs serve over 49,000 audience members a year from all ages and varying socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds including nearly 22,000 students from around the region. CFRT is grateful for the community support from which it was born and still blooms.