About Jerry Baber

Mr. Jerry Baber was a renowned theatre director in Fort Bend ISD and started the theatre department at Clements High School, where we see many of his traditions still alive today within International Thespian Society Troupe 3689, including SDOAPS, or student directed one act plays, and CIA- the Clements Improv Association. When it came time to open Kempner High School, Mr. Baber moved over and started Troupe 4385, bringing many of the traditions from CHS with him. Prior to his death in 2002, he also co-founded Playhouse 90 in Rosenberg, finding even more ways to impact his community artistically. 

Mr. Baber is remembered for his immense talent, unique sense of humor, and big heart. He was a wonderful theatre director and an inspiring role model. There is not a better person to honor as the namesake for our FBISD Theatre awards. 

History of the Award Show

To showcase the outstanding talent of theatre students throughout the District, Fort Bend ISD’s theatre programs host the Jerry Baber Awards ceremony in May at Dulles High School’s Rodgers Auditorium (550 Dulles Avenue, Sugar Land 77478). The event kicks off with a red carpet entrance followed by the awards ceremony. Throughout the night, each honored school will present one piece of their choosing from either their Fall Show production or musical.

To select the event nominees and winners, FBISD’s high school theatre directors choose student judges through an application process at the beginning of the school year. Each judge attends one or more of the qualifying shows throughout the school year and scores each show based on pre-selected criteria. The judges’ ballots are tallied to produce the nominees and winners.

Baber Awards Play

1. Kevin Alvarado - Best Lead Performer - Play – She Kills Monsters at Dulles High School
2. Jazzlyn Newton - Best Lead Performer – Play – August: Osage County at Hightower High School
3. Best Ensemble – Play – Dracula at Kempner High School
4. Stephen McDonald - Best Supporting Performer – Play – She Kills Monsters at Dulles High School
5. Morghan Estep - Best Supporting Performer – Play - Dracula at Kempner High School
6. Espy Velasco - Best Supporting Performer – Play – Peter and the Star Catcher at Ridge Point High School
7. Jessica Bracher, Brynn Renner & Maria Wright - Best Scenery – Play – Peter and the Star Catcher at Ridge Point High School
8. Paige Schwarz - Best Scenery – Play – Almost, Maine at Austin High School
9. Dominique Mallo - Best Costume– Play - Dracula at Kempner High School
10. Grace Kar, Kenzie Lumley & Sonia Lagerstrom – Best Properties – Play - Peter and the Star Catcher at Ridge Point High School
11. Zachary Sharer - Best Lighting – Play - Dracula at Kempner High School
12. Presley Bailey - Best Sound – Play - Dracula at Kempner High School
13. Russell Tautenhahn - Best Publicity – Play – Dracula at Kempner High School
14. Best Play - She Kills Monsters at Dulles High School

Baber Awards Musical:

1. Alexa Fusco - Best Lead Performer - Musical - Mamma Mia! at Clements High School
2. Gracie Morgan - Best Lead Performer - Musical – 9 to 5 at Dulles High School
3. Best Ensemble - Musical – In the Heights at Bush High School
4. Best Chorus - Musical – In the Heights at Bush High School
5. Best Choreography - Musical – In the Heights at Bush High School
6. Russell Tautenhahn - Best Supporting Performer - Musical – Chicago at Kempner High School
7. Miles Tanner - Best Supporting Performer - Musical – Chicago at Kempner High School
8. Production Crew - Best Scenery - Musical – Chicago at Kempner High School
9. Chloe Perez - Best Costume - Musical – Chicago at Kempner High School
10. Production Crew - Best Properties - Musical – Chicago at Kempner High School
11. Zachary Sharer - Best Lighting - Musical – Chicago at Kempner High School
12. Ben Adcock & Ab Washburn – Best Sound - Musical – Pippin at Travis High School
13. Simia Tareque & Laura Vo - Best Publicity – Musical – Pippin at Travis High School
14. Best Musical – 9 to 5 at Dulles High School