MSD’s Sydney Lotz and Myla Shapiro, Coral Springs High School’s Sean Jenkins, and J.P. Taravella’s Yasmeen Smith. {South Florida Cappies}
High school theater students from Coral Springs and Parkland recently celebrated a night of achievements at the 22nd Annual Cappies Awards, presented by the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and South Florida Cappies.
The event, held on May 21, honors outstanding achievements in high school theater and recognized students from 29 local schools with awards and commendations.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas Drama won two: Sydney Lotz for Supporting Actor in a Female Role in a Musical and Myla Shapiro for Comic Actor in a Female Role in a Musical in Mean Girls.
Coral Springs High School’s Sean Jenkins won Supporting Actor in a Male Role in a Musical for Shrek The Musical.
J.P. Taravella won for Vocalist in a Female Role: Yasmeen Smith for Babes in Arms.
NSU University School emerged as the biggest winner, securing eight awards, including those for criticism.
The school tied with American Heritage in Broward for the most honored musicals, with NSU University School’s production of Amélie Teen Edition and American Heritage’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, each winning six awards.
West Boca Raton High School’s production of Mamma Mia won the award for Best Musical, while Archbishop McCarthy High School’s production of The Curious Savage was the most honored play, earning six awards, including Best Play.
“It is so rewarding to see the depth and breadth of theater education opportunities in high schools across South Florida and the outstanding array of talent both on the stage and behind the scenes,” said Broward Center President and CEO Ty Sutton.
The Cappies celebrates achievements in 48 categories, recognizing performers, orchestras, designers, technicians, publicists, and critics.
Student critics from participating schools attended rival schools’ productions, wrote reviews, and nominated candidates. The students determined the winners through a weighted peer-review voting process.
South Florida Cappies Founder and Chair Lori Sessions was thrilled that its 22nd year saw an increase of eight schools and over 300 reviews submitted, making this the largest season in the Cappies’ history.
“South Florida Cappies fosters respect between schools, encourages careful analysis of productions while continuing to celebrate and improve the quality of high school theatre,” said Sessions. “I’m so thankful as we celebrate high school theatre in South Florida that Cappies is still thriving and contributing to the education of our students.”
2023-2024 CAPPIES WINNERS BY SCHOOL
American Heritage Broward
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Lead Actor in a Male Role in a Musical: Jack Ryan
Dancer in a Male Role: Gabriel Salazar Pacheco
Ensemble in a Musical: Brothers
Lighting in a Musical: Hayley Schachter
Hair and Make-up in a Musical: Damien Ellowitz, Emma Kolb
Props in a Musical: Tara Peart, Daniella Bieber
American Heritage Palm Beach Campus
The Fantasticks
Vocalist in a Male Role: Jack Pawlowski
Creativity: Samuel Artel, Musicianship
Archbishop McCarthy High School
The Curious Savage
Lead Actor in a Female Role in a Play: Bella Nanavichit
Comic Actor in a Female Role in a Play: Isabella Ruiz
Featured Actor in a Female Role in a Play: Caroline Greco
Ensemble in a Play: The Guests
Sound in a Play: Erin Whitaker
AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts
Twelfth Night
Supporting Actor in a Male Role in a Play: Shaine Rainsburg
Comic Actor in a Male Role in a Play: Connor Hullender
Costumes in a Play: Kaitlyn Bradwell, Sarah Owosina, Elizabeth Kronhaus
Lighting in a Play: Ryan Brown and Co.
Stage Management and Crew in a Play: Aniston Jennings, Nikolai Gerrard and Co.
Calvary Christian Academy
Pygmalion
Supporting Actor in a Female Role in a Play: Emma Bruce
Hair and Make-up in a Play: Alexandra Denison, Avery Rivas & Co.
Cardinal Gibbons High School
Little Shop of Horrors
Lead Actor in a Female Role in a Musical: Sophia Hazleton
Special Effects and or Technology: Micah Boyce, Dalton Riley
Cooper City High School
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
Lead Actor in a Male Role in a Play: Payton Varga
Critic Teams: Giovanna Dellaria, Lead Critic
Sophomore Critic: Kenny Gervais
Freshman Critic: Gavin MacArthur
Coral Springs High School
Shrek The Musical
Supporting Actor in a Male Role in a Musical: Sean Jenkins
Cypress Bay High School
Chicago
Dancer in a Female Role: Julia Poms
Choreography: Gabbi Bongiovi, Miguel Cabrera
Sets in a Musical: Julia Amigorena, Samantha Garcia, Alex Gomez
Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School
Puffs
Props in a Play: Evan Paggi, Juliet Cintro
J.P. Taravella High School
Babes in Arms
Vocalist in a Female Role: Yasmeen Smith
Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS
Mean Girls, HS Edition
Supporting Actor in a Female Role in a Musical: Sydney Lotz
Comic Actor in a Female Role in a Musical: Myla Shapiro
North Broward Preparatory School
Mean Girls: High School Version
Featured Actor in a Female Role in a Musical: Olivia Espinoza
NSU University School
Amélie Teen Edition
Orchestra: Two Windmills Band
Comic Actor in a Male Role in a Musical: Sam Dyer
Featured Actor in a Male Role in a Musical: Zachary Kopelman
Sound in a Musical: Cora Rodriguez
Stage Management and Crew in a Musical: David Taylor and Crew
Marketing and Publicity: Zachary Kopelman, Emma Rodriguez, Jack Steinman
Senior Critic: Avery Redlich
Junior Critic: Sam Dyer
Piper High School
Alice in Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass
Sets in a Play: Angelie Gomez and Co.
South Plantation High School
A Night Under the Stars
Featured Actor in a Male Role in a Play: Jaxon Reid
West Boca Raton High School
Mamma Mia
Song: “Voulez-Vous”
Costumes in a Musical: Kelsey Bonner, Maia Stein
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