WICHITA — A local high school senior earned Kansas high school musical theater’s top prize over the weekend.

Paige Levendofsky, a senior at Rock Creek High School, was named one of two Outstanding Leading Performers at the 23rd Annual Jester Awards, held at Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center in Wichita on Sunday.

The Jester Awards showcase the next generation of musical theater talent in Kansas. Each year, trained volunteer judges attend and evaluate dozens of performances. This year, 65 judges viewed 152 performances of 49 productions, involving more than 3,000 students and 49 schools across the state of Kansas. The program began in Wichita, but now extends as far as Liberal, Hays, Topeka, and Pittsburg.

Levendofsky was one of 20 nominees for Outstanding Leading Performer and one of two recipients. She won for her performance as “Belle” in Rock Creek’s November 2024 production of “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” directed by Rock Creek vocal music teacher Janie Brokenicky.

“I feel very blessed and thankful to receive this award,” Levendofsky said. “I really poured my entire heart and soul out into the role of “Belle,” and I’m so glad that something could come out of it. I would really like to thank (Music Theater Wichita) and the program that Janie Brokenicky has going at Rock Creek that truly got me here in a way that I don’t think a lot of other things could.”

The award also comes with a $1,000 scholarship.

Other nominations this year from Rock Creek included Jonas Smith (“Cogsworth”) for Outstanding Supporting Performer, Rock Creek band director Daniel Smith for Outstanding Orchestra Direction, choreographer Masie Dulitz for Outstanding Artistic Guest and Ava Dover, Ida Kassleman, Piper Prockish, and Madilyn Schadegg (“Les Filles La Ville”) for Outstanding Small Ensemble.

“As Paige’s musical director, choir teacher, and vocal coach, I was absolutely beaming with pride seeing her name appear on the big screen,” Brokenicky said. “She put in countless hours studying Belle and perfecting that role; I am so happy others recognized her talent and dedication.

“Paige winning the first Jester Award for Rock Creek has already motivated the younger members of the cast.

On the ride home they were planning how they could improve the overall show next year and fully commit to the creative process. She also is proof that you don’t have to be from a large school or have taken acting lessons from the age of seven to find success if you have the talent and work ethic.”

Levendofsky is set to graduate later this month and will attend Kansas State, where she’ll be a vocal performance and music education dual major.

She has participated in five musicals during her four years at Rock Creek, including “Mary Poppins,” “Into the Woods,” “Suessical the Musical,” and “The 1940s Radio Hour.”