Starting with an initial annual budget of $460,000, Holly shifted the company's emphasis to a more professional framework, using more Equity talent and rules.
Holly left after 14 seasons to take a position with Theatre Under The Stars in Houston, and was replaced by Wayne Bryan, who had been a guest performer and director for the company.
Beginning in June 2009, two Jester recipients have been sent each year to New York for the National High School Musical Theater Awards (the "Jimmys").
Producing artistic director Wayne Bryan, who had performed the role in the 1974 Broadway revival, co-authored the new adaptation with Mark Madama.
[citation needed] Singin' in the Rain was revised at Music Theatre Wichita in 1992, with the most notable addition being an expanded version of the "Broadway Ballet".