J.P. Taravella Drama Takes Home Awarded 4 Cappies

J P Taravella takes home Best Critics Team. {Ian Ibbetson}

By Sharon Aron Baron

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.”

She added, that through the 20 years, teachers have changed, critics have charged, schools have changed, nominees have changed — even awards and their logo changed.

“…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.”

J.P. Taravella Drama Kicks Off The Season With "Xanadu"

The J.P. Taravella cast of Xanadu. {Photo by Scout Stanford}

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.

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.

“This year’s gathering was a 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,” added Shanley.

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

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Sharon Aron Baron

Editor of Talk Media and writer for Coral Springs Talk. CST was created in 2012 to provide News, Views, and Entertainment for the residents of Coral Springs and the rest of South Florida.