FORT LAUDERDALE – Theater students from 20 public, private and charter schools throughout Broward and Palm Beach County vie for top honors in the 10th Annual Cappies Awards Gala on Tuesday, May 15 at 7 p.m. in the Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
Modeled after Broadway’s Tony Awards, the gala awards show will feature songs and scenes from the top nominated shows.
The Critics’ Awards Program, or Cappies for short, recognizes high school theater in 42 categories including performers, designers, technicians and critics.
“Since our very first Cappies Awards Gala 10 years ago, many of our past honorees have pursued advanced studies and careers in the arts,” said Lori Sessions, program director of the South Florida Cappies. “From a former student now appearing on Broadway in Wicked to others starring in and working on Broadway-caliber productions nationwide, it is inspiring to see young people fulfill their dreams.”
With 18 nominations, J.P. Taravella High School’s production of The Wiz is the most nominated musical and South Plantation High School’s production of The Yellow Boat, with 15 nominations, is the most nominated play.
The awards ceremony is presented with support from the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, who has hosted the awards since the South Florida chapter was founded in 2002 as a part of the national non-profit organization honoring high school theater programs.
“The Broward Center is proud to be a long-time partner in hosting the Cappies, and in supporting the incredible students who embody the future of the performing arts. Now in its 10th year, our successful collaboration with the Cappies Awards demonstrates the powerful partnership the Broward Center has created with local schools,” said Kelley Shanley, Broward Center President and CEO. “We also celebrate the accomplishments of Lori Sessions and the entire South Florida Cappies team of educators, parents, sponsors and supporters who work tirelessly to bring this outstanding program to our high school theater community and produce this wonderful event year after year. We salute Lori and the Cappies team for their vision, their dedication and their passion for the arts.”
Award winners are determined by votes from the students themselves through a weighted peer review voting process. Nominations were made by student critics from participating schools that attended each other’s shows to write reviews, which were edited by theater educators and sent to the local media.
Tickets are $20 and are available through the Broward Center’s box office at 954/462-0222 or www.browardcenter.org. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located in the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District at 201 SW Fifth Avenue in Fort Lauderdale.
AutoNation, Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, TAM Airlines, Sun-Sentinel and Comcast are proud sponsors of the Broward Center. All dates, programs and artists are subject to change.
Boca Raton High School
(16 nominations: 15 for Crazy for You and 1 for criticism)
Best Musical
Marketing and Publicity: Christine Homrich and Kelley Cunnigham
Lighting: Phineas Agar, Kelsey Powers and Loren Stoller
Costumes: Tatiana de Carvalho and Crew
Make-Up: Marina Schipani, Angela Galup, Emily Weeks and Sammi Maher
Props: Kathleen Sharp, Cayla Rosenthal, Harry Senior, Meghana Goola and
Boca Raton Community High School
Special FX and Technology: Kelley Cunningham, Kristie Liebel and Rusty Whitehead
Stage Crew: Catt Mucklow and Crew
Ensemble in a Musical: Follies Girls
Featured Actress in a Musical: Christine Homrich
Featured Actor in a Musical: Merlin Mullett
Male Dancer: Kyle Laing
Supporting Actor in a Musical: Danny Valbuena
Lead Actress in a Musical: Gabby Paiva
Song: “I Got Rhythm”
Sophomore Critic: Eliana Meyerowitz