- Details
-
Tuesday, 07 October 2025
-
Written by Adam Taylor
For the past quarter-century, the Cameo Art House Theatre has been a cultural cornerstone in downtown Fayetteville. It has been a gathering place, an artistic haven and a cherished home for lovers of cinema. The Cameo will officially enter a new chapter in its celebrated history in January 2026, a nonprofit organization under a new name: CAMEO Collective.
This transformation not only ensures the preservation of the theater’s legacy but also lays the groundwork for a bold new vision. A vision that embraces live performances, arts education, community programming and inclusive access to the arts.
“The three founders didn’t just open the doors of the Cameo, they set a standard of excellence through their leadership and stewardship and kept it growing for 25 years,” said Brian Adam Kline, Artistic Director of the new CAMEO Collective. “The spirit of the Cameo is still very much alive and now it has room to grow in many creative directions.”
The Cameo’s Legacy: A 25-Year Love Letter to Fayetteville
Since its founding in 2000 by Chris and Nasim Kuenzel, with support from Eric Lindstrom, the Cameo Art House Theatre has provided something rare and irreplaceable in southeastern North Carolina: a space dedicated to independent and international cinema. In an age of megaplexes and blockbusters, the Cameo stood for stories that were quiet, bold, weird, human and always thoughtful.
Under the Kuenzels’ guardianship, the Cameo became more than just a movie house. It was a conversation space, a date night destination or a place where new generations watched the classics. Film festivals like Indigo Moon and Local Shorts found a natural home here and local filmmakers saw their work on the big screen..
From Art House to Art Hub
With the introduction of CAMEO Collective, the building at 225 Hay Street is evolving into something broader and more multifaceted: a nonprofit arts center with a mission to inspire through storytelling, performance and education.
“We’re building something Fayetteville has never quite had before, a true arts collective in the heart of downtown,” said Kline. “Film will always be our foundation along with community favorites like live music, comedy and now we’re thinking about immersive theater, live music, visual art and education all under one roof.”
A Partnership with the Capitol Encore Academy High School’s all new Department of Cinematic and Theatrical Arts has been established.
“This program will give students the opportunity for hands-on filmmaking classes in acting, directing, cinematography, editing and film theory. Students will have the opportunity to show their films on the big screen. We plan to offer Saturday classes for adults and summer camps in the future as well,” said Kline.
“When I was a teenager, I learned to edit on borrowed cameras from my school library and made movies in my backyard,” said Kline. “Imagine what today’s kids could do with access to gear, training and a screening venue like Cameo Collective.”
Cameo Collective will continue to host live performances including concerts, stand-up comedy, local theater productions and open mic nights.
Why Non-Profit?
For years, the Cameo operated as a private enterprise, supported almost entirely by ticket sales, concessions and the devotion of its patrons. But the shifting economics of independent cinema, especially post-pandemic, combined with the rising cost of operations led Kline to found Cameo Collective with seven founding board members including Jenny DeViere, Gerard Falls, Ashanti Bennett, Adrienne Trego, Ayana Washington, Michelle Downey and Angela Williams. James Throssel serves as Managing Director with Kline as AD.
“Becoming a nonprofit means we can dream bigger and serve wider,” said Kline. “It allows us to apply for grants, accept tax-deductible donations and focus on our mission.”
The Launch Fundraiser
To celebrate the Cameo Collective’s official launch, a special fundraiser event is in the works. The evening will provide themed entertainment, elegant refreshments, silent auction items and opportunities to become a founding donor.
The date and details will be announced soon. Tickets will be available online and at the box office.
How to Support
For those eager to help immediately, donations are already being accepted through multiple channels:
In Person: Speak to a staff member in the Cameo lobby at 225 Hay Street.
By Mail: Send checks payable to CAMEO Collective, 225 Hay Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301
Online: Visit www.cameoarthouse.com or email brian@cameoarthouse.com
Donors will receive special acknowledgments and updates and larger gifts may include recognition in the theater’s donor wall and promotional materials.
“Every small contribution helps big,” said Kline. “They help keep the lights on and the screen and events rolling. They help us say yes to ideas we couldn’t have considered before.”
The Road Ahead
As the curtain rises on this new phase, the message is clear: CAMEO Collective belongs to the community now more than ever. It is a gift from the past and a promise to the future.
“For a quarter-century, the Cameo has helped us see the world differently—through light and shadow, through laughter and tears,” said Kline. “Now, as CAMEO Collective, we’re inviting everyone to be part of the story.”
For updates on the Launch Fundraiser Event, programming, and volunteer opportunities, visit www.cameoarthouse.com or follow @cameoarthouse on social media.
About CAMEO Collective:
CAMEO Collective is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in downtown Fayetteville, NC. Its mission is to foster creativity and community through film, live performance, education and the visual arts. Located at 225 Hay Street.
(Photo by James Throssel)
- Details
-
Tuesday, 02 September 2025
-
Written by Katie Herring
“Tumble out of bed and stumble to the kitchen, pour myself a cup of ambition, and yawn and stretch and try to come to life.”
If you read those words and started tapping your toes and imagined the sound of typewriter keys, then you will definitely want to make plans to see Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s season opener 9 to 5: The Musical, running from September 4-28. Described by director Robert Schneider as a “two-and-a-half-hour party” that is a celebration of life, courage, friendship, and coming into yourself, 9 to 5 is as thought-provoking and poignant as it is funny, irreverent, and uplifting.
The Play
Based on the hit film from 1980 that featured the powerhouse trio of Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin, and Jane Fonda, 9 to 5 tells the story of three women working in the big city corporate world who have had enough of their boss’s misogynistic bullying and sexual harassment. They take matters into their own hands to teach him a lesson.
The musical features all the same beloved characters, along with those we love to hate; it tells the same story, just with song and dance added to the mix.
Fans of the film will recognize a lot of the script, as much of the dialogue is taken straight from the movie. Patricia Resnick, who wrote the screenplay, also wrote the book (the spoken dialogue) for the musical. The music and lyrics were written by Dolly Parton herself. But, if you’ve never seen the film, worry not! The musical stands on its own with an empowering story, relatable characters, and non-stop laughs.
The three leading ladies are very different from one another, but share a commonality: they have been told in some way they can’t do something, and they decide to do it anyway.
Judy Bernly, played by Jodi Bluestein, is a recently divorced housewife who is trying to navigate her first job ever. Bluestein points out that Judy “is learning to walk in literal [and figurative] new shoes.”
Doralee Rhodes, played by Livi Rose, is constantly underestimated, judged, and isolated due to being the “pretty young thing” that is the object of the boss’s flirtation. She is courageous and has a fiery side, and decides she is not going to take it anymore.
Violet Newstead, played by Heather Setzler, is the brains behind the office’s operation, who is constantly overlooked for promotions and recognition, simply because she is a woman. They have a common nemesis, their boss Franklin Hart Jr., played by Robert Newman, the Vice President of their company, who is known for his bullying and womanizing.
Throughout the play, we get glimpses into their inner lives and thoughts, as Judy, Doralee, and Violet put their heads together to put Mr. Hart in his place and show him and everyone else what they’re made of. While the ladies’ treatment of Mr. Hart might be better described as justice, their treatment of each other and those around them is characterized by kindness.
While the play is set in the 1980s, the ideas and the characters are still relevant
and relatable.
“For better or worse,” says Livi Rose, “I think we’ve all lived versions of these characters in some way.”
The three leading ladies are shining examples of courage. They show how one can decide to “keep finding the sun,” even in dark times, decide to stand up for oneself, and not just take what the world hands out. It is a story with an important, thought-provoking, and empowering message, wrapped up in a high-energy, hilarious package.
The People
As is the case with any play, a great story, script, and music need a great company to bring it all to life onstage, and this production of 9 to 5 certainly has that! The 18-person cast is a combination of local talent and actors from “out of town,” newcomers making their CFRT debut and familiar faces to the CFRT audience. The cast is led by the equally talented and accomplished creative team, including director Robert W. Schneider, music director James Clark Jr, and choreographer Antionette DiPietropolo.
Robert Newman and Jodi Bluestein were both in CFRT’s 2019 production of Annie as Daddy Warbucks and Lilly St. Regis (respectively). When asked what brought them back to Fayetteville and Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Bluestein, who is from Manhattan, said part of what brought her back to this theatre is that she “felt very cared for by the theatre and everyone that works here. It was also just artistically fulfilling…and the quality of what we did was great.”
Newman was slated to be in the 2020 production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime that was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, echoes Bluestein’s sentiments. He said he’s been waiting for a chance to come back and added that Mary Kate Burke, CFRT’s artistic director, had a lot to do with his desire to return.
“I work in theatres all over the country and…she’s really special…she has really done some extraordinary things for this theatre. Sometimes you work with somebody and you’re like, boy, I can’t wait to work with them again.”
They all, including director Robert Schneider and Livi Rose, point to the helpful and efficient staff, including a “wonderful stage manager,” who, through thorough planning and efficient communication, who helps everything run smoothly.
Schneider also pointed to another unique attribute of CFRT: the community.
“I’ve got to work in a lot of theatres. I’ve not found a community that takes such pride in their theatre, the way this community does…it’s incredible.” His insight was shared by other cast members who are from “out of town.” They echoed the sentiment that we, in the Fayetteville area, are well aware of what a special institution we have in Cape Fear Regional Theatre.
The show is scheduled to run for most of the month of September. Tickets are on sale now, and they are going quickly. As with all CFRT shows, they host audience outreach nights that offer a discount for certain members of the community: Military Appreciation Night on Wednesday, Sept. 10, and Educator Appreciation Night on Friday, Sept. 12.
Opening weekend features two special events: Thursday, Sept. 4, the first preview performance is the “Welcome Back Bash” to celebrate the first show of the 25-26 season. This event starts at 6:45 and features complimentary snacks and signature Dolly-Style cocktails.
Friday, September 5, is “Tumble Out of Bed Night” and the audience is invited to wear their pajamas and “tumble out of bed and stumble to the theatre for our cozy preview night, featuring coffee cocktails, snacks, and a whole lot of 9-to-5 energy-just the jolt your weekend needs!”
This high-energy, fun-filled season opener is not to be missed. Tickets can be purchased online at cfrt.org or by calling the box office at 910-323-4234.
(Photos courtesy of Cape Fear Regional Theatre)
How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
Cape Fear Regional Theatre is heading downtown, down to Skid Row. No, they aren’t moving to a new location-they are still holding court at 1707 Owen Drive as their home building on Hay Street is undergoing extensive renovations. They are taking us to Mushnik’s Flower Shop in the cult favorite musical, Little Shop of Horrors. From Oct. 23 through Nov. 16, make your way to the theatre to experience the thrilling tale of the alien, man-eating plant, and a love story that blooms in an unlikely place.