On Sunday, May 5, Kansas's budding stars of musical theatre lit up the stage at Music Theatre Wichita's annual Jester Awards. This prestigious event honors high school musical theatre excellence and showcased impressive talent from across the state.
Hugoton High School's rendition of "Guys and Dolls" received a remarkable 13 nominations for the Regional Awards, highlighting their comprehensive skill in various aspects of theatre production. The nominations included:
Direction of a Show - Sarah Kitzke
Leading Performer - Jewels Noland
Supporting Performer - Tobias Grubbs
Cameo Performer - Katya Wolters
Small Ensemble - “Crap Shooter’s Ballet” Dancers
Ensemble
Production Number - "Sit Down You’re Rockin’ The Boat"
Vocal Music Direction; - Katie Jimenez
Choreography; - Holly Grubbs
Scenic Design, Costume Design, Lighting Design, and Sound Design: - all by Sarah Kitzke and Tyler Parkridge respectively
From these, Hugoton High School secured 5 nominations for the Jester Awards themselves, with Jewels Noland competing as a Leading Performer alongside the top 20 high school musical performers in Kansas.
This year's Jester Awards was especially competitive, with 62 volunteer judges reviewing 134 performances from 44 school productions, involving over 2,700 students statewide. The ceremony not only celebrated these young talents but also highlighted the vibrant community and dedication within Kansas's school theatre programs. Join us in applauding all the nominees and participants who continue to raise the bar for musical theatre excellence.