Arts Week ends with Grand Gala
Arts Week went out with a bang – literally – Friday as the Caine College of the Arts celebrated its outstanding seniors at the Caine Lyric Theatre’s 100th Birthday Bash. The Grand Gala was a “best dress” event with people like Logan Mayor Craig Peterson in the audience.
The event opened as Dean Craig Jessop sang “Try to Remember.” As he sang, the background highlighted a picture of Jessop as a 17-year-old playing the role of Matt Hucklebee as a part of the cast of “The Fantasticks” at the Lyric in 1967.
“That’s when I gained a love and affection for this theater that’s never stopped,” he said.
Each college took turns introducing their outstanding seniors. The music department awarded Korinne Ivory, Nathan Southwick and Elizabeth Tait; the art and design department chose Tyler Andrews, Lauren Henrie and Holland Larsen; and the theatre arts department presented Tori Benson, Kenny Driggs and Lance Rasmussen with the outstanding senior award.
“I am applying to graduate programs right now,” said Larsen, one of the outstanding seniors in print making. “My main goal is to be a working artist and a working printmaker, but I think another one is to be a professor. I think it’s good to teach people what you know, and it’s a way to actually make money as an artist.”
Korrine Ivory, an outstanding senior graduating in music therapy, said she hopes to go on and work as an intern for Primary Children’s Hospital.
Richie Call and Jason Spelbring, assistant professors for the Caine College of the Arts, were presenters for the event. They highligh
ted the upcoming Lyric Theatre musical “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” by singing the song “Lovely” while Spelbring wore a dress and wig.
“We were encouraged by one of the people who were in charge to get more diversity,” Spelbring said. “That’s when Richie decided to sing the song ‘Lovely’ to be a great way to showcase us and have us goof around, but also promote the upcoming season. I went along with it, but I blame him.”
“I loved that it was still kind of formal atmosphere and a lot of actual entertainment,” said Kaylee Ann Simmons, a sophomore studying choral education. “We could laugh at things, and it wasn’t boring.”
The event has taken place for the last four years and it has grown in size, according to Call.
“This year we chose to honor all of our donors who have helped and contributed to us,” Call said. “Craig also made the decision this year to have one of the departments be in charge of it, so this year was the theater department was in charge.”
The event also included a sneak peak at a documentary by Lego Luis entitled, “Lady Lyric Turns 100,” as well as a short film introducing each department of the college.
Students from the theatre department played selections from recent musicals including “Urinetown,” “How to Succeed in Business WIthout Really Trying,” “A Catered Affair” and a selection from the upcoming musical “Tarzan.”
“I loved the event,” said Sarah Burnay, a senior studying choral education. “It wasn’t what I expected it to be. I expected it to be more stuffy, but it was a blast and I loved the performances.”
As the gala came to a close, Spelbring and Call set off confetti cannons.
“It’s nice to thank the donors and occasionally throw a fancy party for them and say thank you,” Call said. “We wouldn’t have jobs. We wouldn’t have the programs if it wasn’t for them.”
Spelbring said he loved that the event brought together all of the departments of the Caine College of the Arts.
“It allows people who don’t know much about those departments to come and see them under one roof and one event,” Spelbring said. “We do stand independently in what we do but we are a team as the Caine College of the Arts and this event does that exactly.”
Call said USU students should get out and support the arts more.
“Sometimes the students aren’t aware that these events are free,” Call said. “They just have to flash their student card and come see a show or an opening or a concert or guest speaker.”
“Events like this are important to keep the culture alive,” said Paige Henrie, a freshman studying elementary education.
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