USU's Caine Lyric Theatre Reopens; Company Launches 60th Season

LOGAN — Utah State University’s historic Caine Lyric Theatre celebrated its grand reopening on June 12, marking the completion of a long-anticipated renovation and the beginning of the Lyric Repertory Company’s 60th season.

The celebration began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and continued with the summer premiere of “Forever Plaid,” setting the stage for a new era in one of Logan’s cultural landmarks.

Originally erected in 1913, the theater is home to the Lyric Repertory Company, founded by Vosco Call in 1967 to give students early access to professional stage experience. For decades, the Lyric has served as a vital connection between Utah State University’s Department of Theatre Arts, Logan’s historic downtown and the surrounding community — including generations of Summer Citizens. However, in recent years, aging infrastructure limited the theater’s potential.

Thanks to strong community and donor support, USU’s Caine School of the Arts successfully raised the funds for critical upgrades to the stage house and wardrobe room. While many improvements are behind the scenes, their impact is significant.

“We haven't had a stage house that's functional for probably 20 years, and having one that we can actually fly curtains in and out, and we can fly scenery in and out safely, … that’s the biggest thing,” said Bruce Duerden. “It's going to make a huge difference in the production value that we can do.”

Duerden, a USU professor of theater and lighting design whose involvement with the Lyric spans more than 30 years, called the updates “a real game changer.”

The renovation also includes a new orchestra pit and the addition of the ReadyMade Gallery located just west of the theater, bringing long-sought downtown visibility to the Department of Art + Design.

Friday’s reopening ceremony featured remarks from Department of Theatre Arts Head Richie Call and College of Arts & Sciences Dean Joseph P. Ward. Ward highlighted the theater’s broader impact, calling it “a place that edifies, that entertains, a place of learning, a place that builds community, a place that supports economic development and tourism for Cache Valley, a place that cements the ties between the Utah State University and the communities we serve, and a place where the dreams of our students become the reality of lifelong careers.”

Mary Heers, a USU alum who served as one of Lyric’s stage managers during her studies, was invited to speak at the reopening. A retired director of plays and musicals at Preston High School who famously played herself in “Napoleon Dynamite,” Heers cut the ceremonial ribbon on Friday night, underscoring the theater’s legacy of mentorship and professional development.

The reopening had special meaning for longtime patrons, many of whom have supported the Lyric for decades.

“We started coming [here] in '72 — so almost as long as it's been around. We've always been front row and center, and we just love all the plays,” said Lyric patron Kathy Bayn, one of many credited with helping the theater finance its most recent renovations.

The June 12th opening of “Forever Plaid” played to an enthusiastic full house that sang along to, and even helped perform, some of the songs.

Audience member Jen Lowe was invited on stage to help the cast with their rendition of the piano duet “Heart and Soul.”

“I was surprised there were only four people in the entire show,” she said, noting how much she loved all the costume changes and fun props.

Beyond enhancing audience experience, the renovation dramatically improves opportunities for students and emerging theater professionals.

According to Richie Call, this year’s season features more students than ever before, offering expanded professional training opportunities. Recent graduate and “Plaid” cast member Kaito Davis said the experience is invaluable for performers preparing to enter the industry.

Davis, who plays Jinx, described the experience as full circle — having performed at the Lyric before the renovation and again on reopening night.

“Fresh graduates are usually absolutely terrified,” Davis said. “They've never been into a real theater; they've never had a real acting job. But getting to work with a university that is allowing us to have those professional opportunities while we're still learning and getting to integrate a lot of what we're learning and a lot of what we're doing into our professional work, that's already a huge blessing.”

Students say the space itself plays a critical role in shaping those experiences.

“When you're performing on the stage here, it magnifies everything you're doing to the next degree. And then the addition of it being on Center Street, it just makes it feel more special, more important, more unique,” said acting student and “Plaid” understudy Niko Barlow.

The 2026 summer season includes five productions, along with opportunities for the public to tour the newly renovated space.

For more information about performances and events at the Caine Lyric Theatre, visit:https://www.usu.edu/lyricrep/