13 WEEKLY 2026
APRIL
A
B A L D W I N
C I T Y
VOL 4 NO. 13 FREE DIGITAL VERSION
N E W S P A P E R
BALDWIN HIGH SCHOOL EARNS MULTIPLE JESTER AWARDS NOMINATIONS
PLEASE NOTE:
THE CORRECT DATE FOR THE “RAISE A GLASS TO THE BRICKS AFTERPARTY” IS FRIDAY,
APRIL 17.
Baldwin High School’s fall musical production is earning statewide recognition, with students and directors receiving multiple nominations for the 2026 Jester Awards. The Jester Awards, a program of Music Theatre Wichita, celebrates excellence in high school musical theatre across Kansas and is often considered the high school equivalent of the Tony Awards. This year, Baldwin’s production of The Little Mermaid received nominations
in several major categories, highlighting both on-stage performances and behindthe-scenes work. Among the top honors, director Miss Jacobsen was nominated for Best Direction of a Show. Senior Petra Morris earned a nomination for Best Leading Performer for her role as Ariel, while Rylee Webb was nominated for Best Supporting Performer for portraying Flounder. The production was also recognized for its ensemble and technical strength,
earning nominations for Best Small Ensemble (the Mersisters), Best Stage Crew, and Technical Achievement for stage manager Ali Peterson. Costume designers Sarah Taylor and Angela Dorsey were also nominated in the Best Design Guest category. In addition to statewide nominations, Baldwin received several Region 4 honors, recognizing excellence within its judging region. Those honors included Outstanding Production, along with additional performer and technical recognitions.
Brooklyn Taylor was recognized as a leading performer for the role of Sebastian, and Isabel Walker earned honors as a supporting performer for portraying Ursula. The production number “Under the Sea” was also recognized, along with awards for vocal music direction (Shelby Hanna), choreography (Kelley Bethell-Smith), sound design, lighting design (Jake Dutton), and program design. The 24th annual Jester Awards ceremony will take place Sunday, May 3 at Century II Performing Arts Center in Wichita. Students from across Kansas will attend the event, which includes performances, a red carpet experience, and the announcement of award winners. For Baldwin High School, the nominations reflect months of work from students, directors, and crew members.
“It’s a great day to be a Bulldog,”
organizers shared in announcing the honors.