The Critics’ Awards Program, or Cappies for short, celebrated the best of high school theater and theater criticism at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, where the program was launched more than two decades ago.
Each year, public, private and parochial high schools throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties take part in the annual South Florida Cappies. This “Tony’s-style” gala honors the best in high school theater with awards given out in nearly 30 different categories, including Best Musical, Best Play, Best Choreography, Best Critic and many more. The winners are determined by votes from student critics from all of the participating schools.
Coral Springs High School “Blackout” from In the Heights (Photo Credit: Ian Ibbetson)
Thousands of students and teachers, family and friends come out to the Broward Center’s Au-Rene Theater to honor these young nominees and enjoy highlights from each nominated show. Local journalists, media personalities, professional actors and community leaders are always on hand to present the prestigious awards.
Midsummer Night’s Dream from South Plantation High School (Photo Credit: Ian Ibbetson)
Fourteen high schools in Broward and Palm Beach counties took home awards with the NSU University School being the most honored with eight awards for its production of Head Over Heels and its student critics. South Plantation High School was recognized for having produced the Best Play winning six awards for A Midsummer Night’s Dream while Coral Springs High School won the most awards in the musical categories with seven, including Best Musical, for its production of In the Heights.
Cappies Board Member Monica Andrews with students representing Best Musical from Coral Springs High School In the Heights (Photo Credit: Ian Ibbetson)
Nominations were made by student critics from participating schools who attend productions at rival schools and write reviews. The award winners were then determined by votes from students through a weighted peer-review voting process.
2022-2023 CAPPIES AWARD WINNERS:
American Heritage School and its production of Blithe Spirit
Sound in a Play: Damien Ellowitz
Props in a Play: Rebecca Weltmann
Stage Management and Crew in a Play: Peyton Barnett
Supporting Actor in a Female Role in a Play: Jessi Kaplan
Archbishop McCarthy High School and its production of The Game’s Afoot
Comic Actor in a Female Role in a Play: Isabella Ruiz
Comic Actor in a Male Role in a Play: Ryan Cullen
The Benjamin School and its production of Distracted
Lead Actor in a Female Role in a Play: Katherine Rodgers
Calvary Christian Academy and its production of Cinderella
Ensemble in a Musical: Step Family
Comic Actor in a Female Role in a Musical: Isabella Leon
Senior Critic: Zoe Tibbs
Cooper City High School and its production of Puffs
Lighting in a Play: Avery Garfinkel
Sets in a Play: Melina Lugo and Kaylee Mastrangelo
Supporting Actor in a Male Role in a Play: Anthony DeLeo
Freshman Critic : Kenny Gervais
Coral Springs High School and its production of In the Heights
Props in a Musical: Mel Kahan
Lighting in a Musical: Maya Rowe
Sets in a Musical: Mikayla Blue and Melanie Escalante
Vocalist in a Male Role: Lemari Hills
Lead Actor in a Female Role in a Musical: Angelina Nazario
Song: “Blackout”
Cypress Bay High School and its production of Legally Blonde
Supporting Actor in a Male Role in a Musical: Adrian Graff
Dillard Center for the Arts and its production of Carrie the Musical
Choreography: Essence Fowler and Trey’lon Salley
Dancer in a Male Role: Trey’lon Salley
Supporting Actor in a Female Role in a Musical: Malia Bryan
J.P. Taravella High School and its production of Radium Girls
Featured Actor in a Female Role in a Play: Ava Chen
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and its production of Head Over Heels
Creativity: Adriana Peña, Music Director
Lead Actor in a Male Role in a Musical: Logan LaPierre
North Broward Preparatory School and its production of Chicago: Teen Edition
Vocalist in a Female Role: Julia Romero
NSU University School and its production of Head Over Heels
Marketing and Publicity: Jack Steinman, Ellie Esquenazi and Emma Rodriguez
Special Effects and or Technology: Nico Wellons, Sam Dyer and Crew
Hair and Make-up in a Musical: Haleigh Mish, Farah O’Halloran and Shayna Soffer
Featured Actor in a Male Role in a Musical: Sam Dyer
Dancer in a Female Role: Rubi Katz
Sophomore Critic: Jack Steinman
Junior Critic: Avery Redlich
South Plantation High School and its production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Hair and Make-up in a Play: Brianny Frias
Costumes In a Play: Julia Mosher, Amaiah Baez and Trinity Pierre
Ensemble in a Play: Rude Mechanicals
Featured Actor in a Male Role in a Play: Jareb Goldston
Lead Actor in a Male Role in a Play: Achillea Befeld
West Boca Raton High and its production of Catch Me If You Can
Costumes in a Musical: Tyler Hess and Nicole Scalise
Stage Management and Crew in a Musical: Jasmine Klein
Featured Actor in a Female Role in a Musical: Marni Gass
Comic Actor in a Male Role in a Musical: Isaac Lynne
