Critics winners from Somerset Arts Academy (Photo by
The spotlight was shining brightly on the exceptional achievements of students in high school theater from 28 public and private schools in Broward and Palm Beach counties during the 24th Annual Cappies Award on May 12s, hosted by the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and South Florida Cappies Inc.
For the third consecutive year, NSU University School in Davie took home the most honors receiving 7 awards, including Best Musical, for their production of 9 to 5. Archbishop McCarthy High School in Southwest Ranches took home 3 awards for their production of The Servant of Two Masters that included recognition as Best Play.
Four of the five critics awards were won by students from Somerset Arts Conservatory. The finest critics work over the school year are published at the Florida Theater On Stage at https://www.floridatheateronstage.com/students-cappies-review-of-high-school-theater-fall-2024-spring-2025/
The Cappies Awards recognize the creativity, dedication and talent of students in various roles on the stage, behind the scenes or through their thoughtful words as critics. Student critics from participating schools nominate candidates after attending and writing reviews of productions from rival schools. The winners are then selected through a weighted peer-review voting process also conducted by students.
“The South Florida Cappies is a yearlong educational experience that teaches students to analyze theatre thoughtfully, support the arts, and build camaraderie across schools, said Lori Sessions, Florida Cappies founder and chair. “At a time when arts funding continues to be cut, the Cappies stand as a powerful reminder of what is possible when education, theatre and community come together.”
For more information on the South Florida Cappies, visit Cappies.com/sfc and follow @sfcappies on Instagram and South Florida Cappies on Facebook.
2025/2026 CAPPIES AWARDS WINNERS BY SCHOOL
American Heritage Broward
Three awards for Curtains
Dancer in a Female Role: Maia Frauenberger
Orchestra: The American Heritage Pit Orchestra
Vocalist in a Male Role: Noah-Duro Andre
Archbishop McCarthy High School
Three awards for The Servant of Two Masters
Best Play
Comic Actor in a Male Role in a Play: Ernesto Fernandez
Supporting Actor in a Female Role in a Play: Julia Gouldthorpe
Dreyfoos School of the Arts
Six awards for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Costumes in a Play: Mykell Brown, Josephine Kohring, Kylie Motta & Company
Ensemble in a Play: Students of Hogwarts
Featured Actor in a Male Role in a Play: Dior Knight
Props in a Play: Nikolai Gerrard, Adela Jacenko, Charlie Faldetta
Special Effects and or Technology: Phoenix Bevan & Zyan Robinson
Supporting Actor in a Male Role in a Play: Connor Hullender
Boca Raton Community High School
One award for Seussical
Supporting Actor in a Female Role in a Musical: Jordan Williams
Calvary Christian Academy
Two awards for You Can’t Take It With You
Featured Actor in a Female Role in a Play: Isabella Villacorta
Lead Actor in a Male Role in a Play: Jesse Oliva
Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory
One award for The Little Mermaid
Lighting in a Musical: Ana Bottger, Maria Bottger, Ethan Wansakul, Michelle Kopsaftis
Cooper City High School
Three awards for The SpongeBob Musical
Featured Actor in a Male Role in a Musical: Payton Varga
Freshman Critic: Emily Wang
Props in a Musical: Kenny Gervais, S. Hoffman & Co.
Cypress Bay High School
One award for Mamma Mia!
Vocalist in a Female Role: Kamila Perdomo Salazar
Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School
Five awards for Murder on the Orient Express
Comic Actor in a Female Role in a Play: Lysandra Rodriguez
Hair and Make-Up in a Play: Journey Collazo and Crew
Lighting in a Play: Charlotte Olivera and Crew
Sets in a Play: Antonio Nasr, Aria Roedsens and Crew
Sound in a Play: Bianca Gary and Crew
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
Five awards for Between The Lines
Choreography: Ava Fronstin
Costumes in a Musical: Aria Azzarelli, Sophia Berman, Gabriella Canas-Abdo, Hailey Itzkowitz
Featured Actor in a Female Role in a Musical: Brynn Levy
Hair and Make-Up in a Musical: Jolie Bickler, Franceska Escobar, Keagan Harrypersad, Katie Horne
Marketing and Publicity: Ellie Rose, Charlotte Schroeder, Maggie Starr, Leila Zollo
NSU University School
Seven awards for 9 to 5
Musical
Comic Actor in a Female Role in a Musical: Hadley Mantell
Lead Actor in a Female Role in a Musical: Rubi Katz
Sets in a Musical: Jackson Goddard
Sound in a Musical: Cora Rodriguez
Stage Management and Crew in a Musical: Caroline Ellsley, Eva Lederman, Lis Targino Silveira and Crew
Supporting Actor in a Male Role in a Musical: Sean Longman
North Broward Preparatory School
Two awards for The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Lead Actor in a Male Role in a Musical: King Bell
Song: The Bells of Notre Dame
Somerset Arts Conservatory
Four awards
Critics Team
Junior Critic: Gabriel Cadet
Senior Critic: Jared Robaina
Sophomore Critic: Valentina Exposito
Spanish River High School
One award for The SpongeBob Musical
Creativity: Mason Davis – Musicianship
The Benjamin School
Two awards for Here There Are Blueberries
Lead Actor in a Female Role in a Play: Sage Ponchock
Stage Management and Crew in a Play: Michael Alvarez, Emma Eidelman, Annabelle Persson and Crew
West Boca High School
Three awards for The Drowsy Chaperone
Comic Actor in a Male Role in a Musical: Adriano Menezes
Dancer in a Male Role: Ethan Slavic
Ensemble in a Musical: The Gangsters
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