From left: Michael Glenn as Bert, Mary Newboles as Mary Poppins, Lucy Godina as Jane Banks and Connell Ryan as Michael Banks in Trinity Catholic High School’s production of Mary Poppins, Nov. 2024. The production earned 6 Jester Award nominations in Apr. 2025 CREDIT THE HUTCHINSON TRIBUNE ARCHIVE
Reno County schools receive 18 total nominations
By Gina Long
“I just can’t say enough about the kids. It was a big musical and a lot to ask of them. They worked so hard. They learned multiple songs. Several played multiple parts, learning all the songs and dances,” Trinity High School Theatre Director Karin Neal said of the cast of “Mary Poppins,” the school’s fall musical, which took the stage for four sold-out shows in November.
The production earned six Jester Award nominations from Music Theatre Wichita. The Jester Awards ceremony “honors excellence in high school musical theatre with nominee announcements, live performances, and scholarship presentations,” according to the theatre’s website.
At least half the cast will be at Century II in Wichita on Sunday for the awards presentation.
“We will probably have more [at the nominations]. A few are still making arrangements. Everybody is super excited.”
Hutchinson High School received eight nominations for “Alice By Heart,” Buhler three for “The Sound of Music,” and Nickerson one for “Annie.“
According to Neal, Trinity averages two to three nominations each year. “This is the first time we’ve had six nominations,” she said.
“I am really proud of Mary (Newbowles) and the work she did. The multiple nominations for the ensembles show the work that everyone put in. I am very pleased with how all of the cast came together.”
Neal explained that each school submits the production that it wants judged by Music Theatre Wichita in September. Each night during the production, one or two judges attend and measures the performance on a points scale. Schools in the same regions compete against each other, and the top two vote-getters for each category receive the regional nomination. The nomination list is released in early April, and the awards ceremony is held on the first Sunday in May.
The 2025 Reno County nominees are:
Outstanding Production
- Hutchinson High School
Alice By Heart
Leading Performer
- Savannah Keele (Mother Abbess) — Buhler High School
The Sound of Music
- Addison Unruh (Alice Spencer) — Hutchinson High School
Alice By Heart
- Mary Newboles (Mary Poppins) — Trinity Catholic High School
Mary Poppins
Supporting Performer
- Lillian Holeman (Cheshire Cat) — Hutchinson High School
Alice By Heart
Cameo Performer
- Audrianna Hellman (Sister Margaretta) — Buhler High School
The Sound of Music - Hazen Price (Mock Mock Turtle) — Hutchinson High School
Alice By Heart
Pre-High School Performer
- Klara Freeman (Gretl) — Buhler High School
The Sound of Music - Lucy Godina (Jane Banks) — Trinity Catholic High School
Mary Poppins
Small Ensemble
- Feed The Birds Ensemble — Trinity Catholic High School
Mary Poppins
Ensemble/Chorus
- Mary Poppins — Trinity Catholic High School
Orchestra Direction
- Meredith Hopkins — Hutchinson High School
Alice By Heart - Mackenzie Spears — Nickerson High School
Annie
Artistic Guest
- Rachel Thomson (Choreography) — Trinity Catholic High School
Mary Poppins
Scenic Design
- Tobie Henline — Hutchinson High School
Alice By Heart
Lighting Design
- Cassidy Ghere — Hutchinson High School
Alice By Heart
Sound Design
- Trevor Morgan — Hutchinson High School
Alice By Heart
Program Design
- Karin Neal — Trinity Catholic High School
Mary Poppins
