A $500,000 grant from The Cannon Foundation has pushed fundraising for the restoration of Mount Pleasant’s historic Paula Theater to $1.4 million as organizers prepare to begin construction this month.
The grant is the largest contribution to date toward the $3.75 million campaign to transform the long-vacant downtown theater into The Avett Theater, a roughly 700-seat live music venue and performing arts center.
The Cannon Foundation grant joins a new $250,000 commitment from longtime Cabarrus County residents Alan and Robin Davis and a previously announced $250,000 lead gift from Uwharrie Bank. Another $400,000 has been raised through individual contributions.
Together, the donations bring the campaign to nearly 40% of its $3.75 million goal.
“The Cannon Foundation’s investment is a game-changer,” said Dr. Allen Dobson, who is leading the fundraising effort for Mt. Pleasant Theatre, Inc., the nonprofit organization formed to preserve and operate the theater. “This grant gives us tremendous momentum as we start construction this month. We are deeply grateful to the Cannon Foundation, Uwharrie Bank, Alan and Robin Davis and the many individuals who have invested in preserving a place that means so much to our community. Their generosity demonstrates what’s possible when a community comes together around a shared vision.”
The Avett Theater, at 1480 S. Main St. in downtown Mount Pleasant, is projected to open in 2027.
The venue will be named in honor of the musical Avett family, whose roots in Mount Pleasant date to 1947.
Scott and Seth Avett, co-founders of The Avett Brothers, grew up in the area and went on to achieve national recognition with the Grammy-nominated band.
The brothers also have a connection to the Paula Theater itself. The music video for “Orion’s Belt,” a song from The Avett Brothers’ 2024 self-titled album, was filmed inside the historic building.
“On behalf of Scott, Seth, Bonnie, and the entire Avett family, it is especially meaningful to have this new theater named for our family in our hometown,” their father, musician Jim Avett, who also serves on the board of Mt. Pleasant Theatre, Inc., said when the project was first announced. “We look forward to helping it become a premier destination for live music in the state and region.”
Built in the 1940s, the Paula Theater once served as Mount Pleasant’s downtown movie theater before closing and remaining vacant for decades.
Plans call for the approximately 13,000-square-foot building to be restored and transformed into a year-round venue for concerts, films, educational programming and other events.
Once completed, The Avett Theater is expected to accommodate nationally touring artists, regional performers and local talent. Organizers have said its roughly 700-seat capacity will help fill a need for a mid-sized performance venue in the region, complementing smaller venues such as the Davis Theatre in Concord and the Swanee Theatre in Kannapolis.
The project is also intended to contribute to the continued revitalization of downtown Mount Pleasant by drawing performers and visitors to the town.
More information about the project and fundraising campaign is available at avetttheater.org.