About the Jester Program

In 2002, Music Theatre Wichita launched a the Jester Awards to honor excellence in high school musical theatre. With a skilled and dedicated team of judges attending dozens of performances, the Jester Awards have won praise for successfully increasing awareness and pride in the achievements of local young people.

The Jester Awards program recognizes the extraordinary amount of work, creativity, and dedication that faculty and students pour into their high school theatrical productions. Recognition is given to casts and crews, directors and designers – all who work to stage these great works of musical theatre. Within practical limitations regarding number of schools and distance from Wichita, every effort is made to be as inclusive as possible. Recent participants include a great many Wichita area schools, and schools extending across Kansas such as Garden City, Hays, Salina, and Pittsburg, and more!

The program has grown exponentially since its inception thanks to the late Belden Mills and his wife, Anna. Their legacy continues through the Lois K Walls Jester Fund at MTWichita and the Naftzger Fund for the Fine Arts.