Jordan High opens theater season on Sandy's renovated stage

Jordan High School's theater program kicks off its 2026–27 season Tuesday, Sept. 29, with a Night of Shakespeare featuring "Macbeth" in a newly renovated auditorium.

The Sandy school's auditorium now has an LED lighting system, new sound equipment and a hearing-assistance system for audience members. A 200-seat black box theater is also expected to open this fall, giving students a flexible performance space with no traditional stage.

The project has been months in the making. At the Canyons School District board's Feb. 17 meeting, Business Administrator Leon Wilcox said crews were making headway on the auditorium, black box theater and fieldhouse, with construction expected to be completed by fall 2026.

Theatre teacher Suzie DuVal told the Sandy Journal the old equipment had been failing for years.

"Our speakers died about three years ago, so we've had these temporary speakers on sticks that were not great," DuVal said.

The black box will serve as DuVal's primary classroom and a dedicated home for student-directed one-acts, which had been staged in the choir room. DuVal said she asked for less seating and more flexibility in how the space could be used.

Tickets are $5. The Sept. 29 show starts at 7 p.m., and proceeds support the Shakespeare team. The event previews competition entries before students head to the 50th annual Utah Shakespeare High School Festival in Cedar City.

New assistant coach Bailei Belnap, a recent Southern Utah University graduate, is directing "Macbeth" and will co-direct the musical "The Pirates of Penzance" with DuVal in November.

DuVal said the department's focus this year will be "creativity, craftsmanship, collaboration."

Tickets for all Jordan High productions are available at jhs.canyonsdistrict.org and at the door. Performances are at 95 Beetdigger Blvd. in Sandy.

Upcoming Jordan High theatre dates: