Written by Savannah Whaley
The South Florida Critics’ Awards Program, or Cappies for short, celebrated its 20th anniversary at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, where the program was launched two decades ago.
“We were thrilled to celebrate our 20th Anniversary Season live back at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts,” said Lori Sessions, South Florida Cappies founder and Program Director. “It was a wonderful evening full of celebration for our outstanding theatre artists and critics from Broward and Palm Beach counties. I’m so proud of their tenacity during the last few years. Through the 20 years, teachers have changed, critics have changed, schools have changed, nominees have changed – even awards and our logo changed, but there is one thing that hasn’t changed. We all still share a passion for high school theatre and the Cappies role in bringing students together, fostering respect between schools, encouraging student leadership, and building theatre criticism, performance and technical skills.”
A Musical-Best Song Nominee – Marjory Stoneman Douglas
Nominees from 19 participating schools in Broward and Palm Beach competed for the awards in 38 categories that honor outstanding achievement in high school theater recognizing performers, designers, technicians, publicists and critics. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School took home the most awards with eight for its production of the musical Something Rotten. The Benjamin School produced the most honored play winning five for All My Sons. In addition, two special awards were presented to Melinda Berks and Susan Euler for their service to Cappies.
“The Cappies Gala is one of the most exciting nights in the Au-Rene Theater as students and their families, friends and teachers come together to celebrate the outstanding talent in our high school theater programs – on the stage, behind the scenes or as critics.” said Kelley Shanley, President & CEO of the Broward Center. “This year’s gathering was testament to the dedication and commitment of our high school theater community after the challenges they faced in bringing shows to the stage this past season; this milestone celebration was a reminder of the power of the arts to unite us.”
J P Taravella Best Critics Team
Modeled after Broadway’s Tony Awards, the gala featured songs and scenes from the top-nominated shows. Cappie Award winners are determined by votes from students through a weighted peer-review voting process. Nominations are made by student critics from participating schools who attend productions at rival schools and write reviews, which then are edited by theater educators and published on FloridaTheaterOnStage.com.
Lead Actor in a Female Role Play – Erica Gouldthorpe, Steel Magnolias
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located at 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. For more information visit BrowardCenter.org, like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BrowardCenter and Facebook.com/BrowardCenterEducation, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @BrowardCenter, subscribe to our channel at Youtube.com/user/BrowardCenter and join the conversation with #BrowardCenter.
The Broward Center 2021/2022 season is generously underwritten by the Broward Performing Arts Foundation. AutoNation, Bank of America, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, MasterCard and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center are proud sponsors of the Broward Center. Programs are also sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.
About The Broward Center for the Performing Arts
One of America’s premier performing arts venues, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts presents more than 700 performances each year to more than 700,000 patrons, showcasing a wide range of exciting cultural programming and events. Guest experiences at the Broward Center include the all-inclusive Spirit Club Level and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Intermezzo Lounge, special events in the Huizenga Pavilion, waterfront dining at Marti’s New River Bistro and innovative classes and workshops for all ages at the Rose Miniaci Arts Education Center. With one of the largest arts-in-education programs in the United States, the Broward Center serves more than 130,000 students annually. The Broward Performing Arts Foundation, Inc. receives and maintains funds to sustain, develop and secure the future of the Broward Center. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located at 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. For more information, visit BrowardCenter.org.
2021-2022 CAPPIES WINNERS BY SCHOOL
American Heritage School – Les Miserables School Edition
Orchestra: American Heritage Orchestra
Supporting Actor in a Female Role in a Musical: Diane Li
Supporting Actor in a Male Role in a Musical: Ethan Shavelson
Lead Actor in a Male Role in a Musical: Miles Levitan
Song: “One Day More”
Archbishop McCarthy High School – Steel Magnolias
Featured Actor in a Female Role in a Play: Mia Martinez
Comic Actor in a Female Role in a Play: Isabella Ruiz
Supporting Actor in a Female Role in a Play: Bella Nanavichit
Lead Actor in a Female Role in a Play: Erica Gouldthorpe
The Benjamin School – All My Sons
Play
Ensemble in a Play: The Neighbors
Featured Actor in a Male Role in a Play: Jakob Kroll
Comic Actor in a Male Role in a Play: Xan Blount
Supporting Actor in a Male Role in a Play: Caden Quinn
Cooper City High School
Sophomore Critic: Sarah Abisror
Dillard Center for the Arts –Spongebob the Musical
Male Dancer: Trey’lon Salley
J.P. Taravella High School – Xanadu
Sound: Laura Haurie, Francesca Dumary and Erin Richter
Lead Actor in a Female Role in a Musical: Fallon Collins
Senior Critic: Emma Sugarman
Critic Team
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School – Something Rotten
Musical
Marketing and Publicity: Douglas Drama Publicity Team
Lighting: MSD Lighting Crew
Sets: Colin McLean
Choreography: Sarah Wyner
Creativity: Adriana Peña, Music Director
Stage Management and Crew: Hannah Grinbank, Reese Garrity, Deanna O’Connell and Gabrielle Hoffman
Male Vocalist: Logan LaPierre
North Broward Preparatory School – Catch Me If You Can
Featured Actor in a Female Role in a Musical: Hannah Bauer
Female Vocalist: Sasha Geisser
Junior Critic: Abigail Alder
Freshman Critic: Makayla Whelchel
NSU University School – Into the Woods
Special Effects and or Technology: Nico Wellons
Featured Actor in a Male Role in a Musical: Anthony Langone
Saint Thomas Aquinas High School – The Addams Family
Comic Actor in a Male Role in a Musical : Cameron Wasteney
South Plantation High School – The Jungle Book
Lead Actor in a Male Role in a Play: Jermaine Jenkins
West Boca Raton High – Grease
Hair and Make-up: Morgan Seeley, Mariel Ricks
Props: Ella Martinez
Costumes: Kelsey Bonner, Rachel Frenchmen
Ensemble in a Musical: The Burger Palace Boys
Female Dancer: Elliana Herr
Comic Actor in a Female Role in a Musical: Paisley Kinkade
