Cappies’ Student Reviews Of Florida High School Shows Posted Here For Second Year

Publishing student reviews of high school theater is the cornerstone of a service from Florida Theater On Stage and the South Florida Critics and Awards Program, better known as The Cappies.

Now in its 15^th year, the Cappies enrolls theatre and journalism students, trains them as critics and assigns them to attend shows at 25 schools in Broward and Palm Beach counties. The student write reviews under the mentorship of teachers
and volunteers.

Until a year ago, some of the reviews were published in a local newspaper, but that facet ended. Florida Theater On Stage stepped in last season to publish the best of those reviews on a page on our website dedicated especially to the Cappies.

Often updated weekly, the page can be found by going to our main page www.floridatheateronstage.com and clicking on the white on teal button saying “Cappies” on the right hand side of the page, about a third of the way down from the top.

We believe this will encourage high school journalism, develop young critics by providing them a public outlet for their work and encourage theater programs in the high schools by publicizing their work.

The Cappies program began in Washington, D.C., and now has 13 chapters including the one covering South Florida. The local chapter reviews shows at Archbishop McCarthy High School, Boca Raton Community High, Cardinal Gibbons, Cooper City High, Coral Glades High, Coral Springs High, Cypress Bay High, David Posnack Jewish Day School, Deerfield Beach High, Dillard Center for the Arts, Flanagan High, JP Taravella High, North Broward Prep, Pine Crest School, Plantation High, Pompano Beach High, Pope John Paul II High, South Plantation High, St. Thomas Aquinas High, Stoneman Douglas High, Suncoast Community High, The Sagemont School, University School of Nova Southeastern University, West Boca High and Western High.

Two to three dozen student critics review a show, meet with mentors, then write 300- to 500-word reviews on deadline. Teacher-mentors select which reviews should be published, usually five or six per show. All reviews are sent to the school that put on the show. Throughout the year, each critic reviews five shows.

Then in the late spring, critics vote for Cappie awards for the participants in the productions, performers and behind the scene workers, much like the Tony Awards. The critics themselves also receive awards. The awards are given out each spring at a gala that includes presentation of scenes from some of the shows.

For more information about the Cappies, visit www.cappies.com/sfc/Home.aspx

South Florida High School Theater Schedule (Dates reflect when reviews are assigned)

Fri., Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.
North Broward Preparatory School
Pride and Prejudice

Fri., Nov. 6 at 7 p.m.
Pine Crest School
To Kill A Mockingbird

Fri., Nov, 6 at 7 p.m.
Saint Andrew’s School
The Drowsy Chaperone

Sat., Nov. 7 at 7 p.m.
JP Taravella High Shool
Hotel Paradiso

Sun., Nov. 8 at 2 p.m.
American Heritage School
Falling

Thu, Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Cardinal Gibbons High School
Once on This Island Jr

Sat., Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Dillard Center for the Arts
The Wiz

Sat., Nov. 21st at 7 p.m.
South Plantation High School
Singin In The Rain

Sat., Nov. 21st at 7 p.m.
Saint John Paul II Academy
The Importance of Being Earnest

Sun., Nov. 22 at 2 p.m.
Archbishop McCarthy High School
The Crucible

Fri., Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.
South Broward High School
25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Fri., Feb. 12 at 7 p.m.
Piper High School
Suite Surrender

Fri., Feb. 19 at 7 p.m.
Western High School
A Heart Divided

Fri., Feb. 19 at 7 p.m.
Somerset Academy Arts Conservatory
Mr. Burns, a post-electric play

Fri., Feb. 26 at 7 p.m.
Royal Palm Beach Community High School
The 39 Steps

Sat., Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.
Boca Raton High School
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Sat., Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
Shrek

Thu, Mar. 3rd at 7 p.m.
Cooper City High School
Legally Blonde

Fri., Mar. 4 at 7 p.m.
NSU University School
Spamalot

Sat., Mar. 5 at 7 p.m.
West Broward High
Bye Bye Birdie

Sat., Mar. 5 at 8 p.m.
Coral Glades High School
Smile

Sun., Mar. 6 at 7 p.m.
The Sagemont School
Chicago

Thu, Mar. 10 at 7 p.m.
Pompano Beach High School
Lost in Yonkers

Thu, Mar. 10 at 7:30 p.m.
Cypress Bay High School
Cats

Fri., Mar. 11 at 7 p.m.
Deerfield Beach High School
The Odd Couple – Female Version

Fri., Mar. 11 at 8 p.m.
West Boca High School
Chicago

Sun., Mar. 13 at 2 p.m.
St. Thomas Aquinas High School
The Madwoman of Chaillot

Sat., Apr. 2nd at 7:30 p.m.
Palm Beach Central
Mary Poppins