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Explore quarterly newsletters from our Act 2 Capital Campaign.
Discover how your support is shaping the future of theater in Fayetteville!
Act 2: Behind the Scenes
Quarterly Donor Newsletter
August 2025 | Issue 2
A note from Mary Kate & Ella:
We’re officially building now, y’all! In the last quarter we finished demolition and exploration of the structure that will remain and started the official new construction!! Foundations and footings are going in, and while our General Contractor thinks that steel is the next really exciting thing, we are finding concrete THRILLING. We even got a chance to go on site and “(wo)man the chute” during a 20’ pour of concrete foundations!
As we begin to see the new building rise out of the ground, we hope you drive by and know that it is your support that is behind every foot of concrete, every bend of rebar, and every block of CMU. As the foundations continue to go in, we know that it is a solid base for the next 50 years of live theatre in Fayetteville. We couldn’t do it without you, and we look forward to sharing even more milestones achieved over the next few months!
Donor Spotlight- Semone Pemberton:
Every new donor adds momentum to this campaign—and we’re excited to begin spotlighting some of the generous supporters who are helping bring Act 2 to life.
In each issue, we’ll feature a donor and share what inspired them to give. This month, we’re honored to highlight Semone Pemberton. Semone is a FTCC Board of Trustees member, Entrepreneur, Former Chairwoman/Commissioner, Human Relations Commission, Licensed Realtor, and now a proud Act 2 donor!
“My decision to invest in Cape Fear Regional Theatre reflects both my passion for creative expression and my recognition of its vital role in Fayetteville’s future. I have always valued the way theatre invites us to imagine, reflect, and connect, and some of my most meaningful experiences have come from witnessing stories on stage that shift perspective and spark dialogue. Institutions like CFRT not only enrich lives through the arts, they also strengthen the local economy, attract talent, and help shape a thriving community. Supporting this theatre is both a personal commitment to the power of creativity and a professional investment in the continued cultural and economic progress of our city. I am honored to play a small part in ensuring its impact continues for generations to come.”
Semone’s story reflects the deep personal connections and community pride that continue to fuel this project. We look forward to sharing more voices in the months ahead as our circle of supporters continues to grow.
Thank you, Cumberland County Commissioners!
CFRT is so grateful to the Cumberland County Commissioners for their support of ACT 2! They join the City of Fayetteville and the great State of North Carolina in supporting this magnificent expansion project!
Between public and private support, we have raised over $21MM of our $25MM goal! We are currently 85% funded and can’t wait to cross that finish line.
Thank you for making this dream a reality for our incredible community!
Hard Hat Lunches
In the last three months, CFRT and our General Contractors at Samet Corporation have hosted four Hard Hat Lunches, inviting members of the community to join us in small groups for a deeper dive into the plans and the future of 1209 Hay Street!
These events are a tight one hour, making it totally possible to attend on a lunch break and get back to your other commitments. After enjoying a short presentation and a delicious boxed lunch courtesy of Jersey Mike’s, the group gets dressed up in hard hats, glasses, and vests to walk the construction site and see the progress first hand!
“The Hard Hat Lunch I enjoyed with several of my Kiwanis brothers and sisters was a very nice and informative occasion. It was great to see the incredible venue we are going to have in the heart of Fayetteville.” – Bruce T. Brown, Hard Hat Lunch attendee.
Thank you, Jersey Mikes!!
We are so grateful to Daniel and Jamie Terracciano for their support of ACT 2 as Spotlight Donors and also as IN-KIND Supporters!! Jersey Mike’s is generously donating all the box lunches for CFRT’s Hard Hat lunches, working with us to make and deliver delicious meals for each event, and accommodating with ease a range of dietary restrictions! We are so grateful for their support!
Do you have a business that would be interested in IN-KIND support of ACT 2? In-Kind gifts are recognized at donor levels corresponding to 50% of the cash value of the gift. If you’re curious about whether your business could meet a need in the new facility, please reach out so we can have a conversation about it!
Act 2: Behind the Scenes
Quarterly Donor Newsletter
May 2025 | Issue 1
A note from Mary Kate & Ella:
As we continue our journey toward the grand opening of our new building, we’re excited to launch this quarterly newsletter to keep you—our Act 2 donor community—informed and engaged throughout the journey.
Your support has made it possible to dream bigger, build smarter, and plan boldly. This project isn’t just about bricks and mortar—it’s about creating a home for the arts that reflects and uplifts our entire community. And thanks to you, that vision is becoming a reality.
In each issue, we’ll share construction progress, spotlight key milestones, and highlight the incredible generosity that’s driving this campaign forward. We are deeply grateful for your partnership, and we look forward to opening the doors to a space you helped make possible.
Donor Spotlight- John Malzone:
Every new donor adds momentum to this campaign—and we’re excited to begin spotlighting some of the generous supporters who are helping bring Act 2 to life.
In each issue, we’ll feature a donor and share what inspired them to give. This month, we’re honored to highlight John Malzone, a long-time supporter and former board member, who shared:
“I chose to give to Act 2 because I believe in what this next phase will mean for Fayetteville. This new space will do more than just house great theatre—it will anchor Haymount, reconnect our community, and become a cultural and economic driver for the entire region. I’ve seen what CFRT has already done with limited resources; now imagine what’s possible with a world-class facility. Bo and Herb dreamed of something like this—and now we have the chance to make it real. Supporting Act 2 was never a question—it’s a continuation of something I’ve believed in for decades.”
John’s story reflects the deep personal connections and community pride that continue to fuel this project. We look forward to sharing more voices in the months ahead as our circle of supporters continues to grow.
We’re excited to introduce Hard Hat Lunches, a unique way to get an insider’s look at the transformation underway!
These casual, behind-the-scenes gatherings will take place right at the construction site. You’ll hear firsthand updates on the progress, connect with other supporters, and enjoy lunch with members of the team bringing this dream to life.
Starting in August, Hard Hat Lunches will be offered on select dates as milestones are met—and we’d love for you to be part of it. Fill out our interest form here!
If you have any questions, reach out to Louis Jacques at events@cfrt.org or (910) 323-4234 ext. 231!
Progress photos & drone footage
Check out the latest updates from our partners at Samet Corporation & SfL+a Architects and viewexclusive drone footage of our demolition progress from our Groundbreaking Ceremony:
Wondering about the construction schedule?! Here is your first look at our project timeline:
Be on the lookout for our next issue, coming August 2025!
CFRT’s five-show mainstage season and robust education and outreach programs serve over 62,000 audience members a year from all ages and varying socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds including over 22,000 students from around the region.
CFRT is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization.
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