For those who think theater has no future because of the perception that young people have little interest in the art form, witness how the work of literally hundreds upon hundreds of Broward and Palm Beach County high school students has resulted in nominations in the annual Cappies Awards.
The local program in its 24th year will give awards next month in 49 categories ranging from best play and musical, but also costuming, vocalists, sound, lighting, props, sets, individual actors, ensemble, stage management, choreography and criticism.
In the latter category, Florida Theater On Stage has been publishing four of the best reviews for each show written by Cappies students not connected to that school, chosen by the advisors. Their work can be read at https://www.floridatheateronstage.com/students-cappies-review-of-high-school-theater-fall-2024-spring-2025/
In the program duplicated across the student critics decide who among their peer performers and technicians should be recognized for awards.
The gala awards presentation is slated for Tuesday, May 12 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts with a pre-show reception at 6 p.m. and ceremony at 7 p.m. Traditionally, the nominees, their colleagues, their educators and family members jam the orchestra section of the venue. Scenes from several of the musicals are recreated live.
The nominees are:
Freshman Critic
Nominees: Isabella Bahamon., Somerset Arts Conservatory
Lily Bradford, North Broward Preparatory School
Robert Curtis, American Heritage Broward
Franceska Escobar, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
Emily Wang, Cooper City High School
Sophomore Critic
Nominees: Daniella Abadir., Monarch High School
Valentina Exposito, Somerset Arts Conservatory
Chase Goldrich, American Heritage Broward
Alexa Oddo, Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School
Mattingly Zonis, NSU University School
Junior Critic
Nominees: Abigail Bejarano, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
Claire Boisvert, Somerset Arts Conservatory
Gabriel Cadet, Somerset Arts Conservatory
Gavin MacArthur, Cooper City High School
Juliana Priddy, AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts
Senior Critic
Nominees: Alexis Adler, Cooper City High School
Kenny Gervais, Cooper City High School
Alyvia Rigg, J.P. Taravella High School
Jared Robaina, Somerset Arts Conservatory
Max Shashaty, Cooper City High Schoo
Critic Team
Nominees: American Heritage Broward., Lead Critic Daniel Font-Wilets
Cooper City High School, Lead Critic Gavin MacArthur
J.P. Taravella High School, Lead Critic Eesha Mahabir
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Lead Critic Maggie Starr
Somerset Arts Conservatory, Lead Critic Valentina Exposito
Marketing and Publicity
Nominees: Gabriel Cadet & Co., Somerset Arts Conservatory, Evita
Lucas Mejia, American Heritage Broward, Curtains
Jack Rodman, North Broward Preparatory School, The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Ellie Rose, Charlotte Schroeder, Maggie Starr, Leila Zollo, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Between The Lines
The SpongeBob Marketing Team, Cooper City High School, The SpongeBob Musical
Special Effects and or Technology
Nominees: Jillian Bender , Spanish River High School, The SpongeBob Musical
Lily Eidelman, Sophia Lapter, Ilia Peck, Kayla Ugarte, The Benjamin School, Here There Are Blueberries
Taylor Fossen, Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School, Murder On The Orient Express
Jake Terl and Terra McMorris, Cooper City High School, The SpongeBob Musical
Phoenix Bevan & Zyan Robinson, AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Hair and Make-up in a Play
Nominees: Belinda Barrios, Sophia Greene, Alessandra Luna, JP Taravella High School, Harvey
Journey Collazo, and Crew, Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School, Murder On The Orient Express
Charleigh Huisman, Larissa Mierau, Anisa Seymour, Calvary Christian Academy, You Can’t Take It With You
Sara Ramon Fernandez and Leira Martinez, Archbishop McCarthy High School, The Servant of Two Masters
Avery Patterson, Un-Ange Leslie, Jada Nelson, Tierney Kubilis, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, William Shakespeare’s Macbeth
Hair and Make-up in a Musical
Nominees: Jolie Bickler, Franceska Escobar, Keagan Harrypersad, Katie Horne, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Between The Lines
Cameron Crosoli, Juliana Wharton, Adrianna Vaccaro, Camila Aragort, Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory, The Little Mermaid
Aaliyah Natal, Ciana Stewart, South Plantation High School, Side Show
Antonella Del Percio, Leor Saffar, NSU University School, 9 to 5
The SpongeBob Hair & Make-Up Team, Cooper City High School, The SpongeBob Musical
Sound in a Play
Nominees: Bethany Rodriguez & Company, AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Laura Flores, Archbishop McCarthy High School, The Servant of Two Masters
Aubree Fogle, Kayla McInnis-Convery, JP Taravella High School, Harvey
Bianca Gary and Crew, Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School, Murder On The Orient Express
Sound in a Musical
Nominees: Daniel Harper, American Heritage Broward, Curtains
Cora Rodriguez, NSU University School, 9 to 5
Hailey Glasgow and Lorenzo Sandri, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Between The Lines
The SpongeBob Sound Team, Cooper City High School, The SpongeBob Musical
Props in a Play
Nominees: Annabel Brown, Devin Farmer and Co, The Benjamin School, Here There Are Blueberries
Lysandra Rodriguez and Crew, Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School, Murder On The Orient Express
Nikolai Gerrard, Adela Jacenko, Charlie Faldetta, AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Callie Green and Co., Archbishop McCarthy High School, The Servant of Two Masters
Allison Wilkins, Charlotte Carroll, Holly Jardina, Caleb Geyer, Calvary Christian Academy, You Can’t Take It With You
Props in a Musical
Nominees: Mariana Barbosa, Bianca Marques, Rebecca Swanson, Hailey Vezques, West Boca High School, The Drowsy Chaperone
Zoey Connor and Crew NSU University School, 9 to 5
Leah Koch & Crew, Boca Raton Community High School, Seussical
Kenny Gervais, S. Hoffman & Co., Cooper City High School, The SpongeBob Musical
Anisa Maharaj, Coral Springs High School, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown
Lighting in a Play
Nominees: Sydney Baarz, Emma Khodadadi, JP Taravella High School, Harvey
Charlotte Olivera and Crew, Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School, Murder On The Orient Express
Lighting in a Musical
Nominees: Ana Bottger, Maria Bottger, Ethan Wansakul, Michelle Kopsaftis, Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory, The Little Mermaid
Connor Cameron, Dylan Gordon, Dylan Senatore, Aiden Sica, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Between The Lines
Avery Garfinkel, Cooper City High School, The SpongeBob Musical
Maria Villarreal Rojas, Tristan Hott, Avery Greenblatt, Cardinal Gibbons High School, The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Debra Toyber, Jett Grom, Cypress Bay High School, Mamma Mia!
Costumes in a Play
Nominees: Santina Augustine, Calvary Christian Academy, You Can’t Take It With You
Mykell Brown, Josephine Kohring, Kylie Motta & Company, AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Jo Falcon, Madelen Ryan, JP Taravella High School, Harvey
Layna Lowe, Amanda Henry, James Ayoung, Mickenna Desroches, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, William Shakespeare’s Macbeth
Alexa Oddo, Jade Volckmann and Crew, Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School, Murder On The Orient Express
Costumes in a Musical
Nominees: Aria Azzarelli, Sophia Berman, Gabriella Canas-Abdo, Hailey Itzkowitz, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Between The Lines
Sophia Bartolotti, Yasmin Siqueira & Crew, Boca Raton Community High School, Seussical
Evan Gilbert and Crew, NSU University School, 9 to 5
Samantha Feldman, Caroline Spitz, Mackenzie Spitz, West Boca High School, The Drowsy Chaperone
The SpongeBob Costume Team, Cooper City High School, The SpongeBob Musical
Sets in a Play
Nominees: Samuel Caycedo, Gianna Duran, Tech Class, Cast, Crew, JP Taravella High School, Harvey
Betsy Farmer, Cami Lencheski, Max Walsh, The Benjamin School, Here There Are Blueberries
Antonio Nasr, Aria Roedsens and Crew, Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School, Murder On The Orient Express
Sets in a Musical
Nominees: Hayden Abrams, Giovanna Chong, Liana Hayes, Madison Zapata & Crew, Boca Raton Community High School, Seussical
Jared Robaina & Co., Somerset Arts Conservatory, Evita
Jackson Goddard, NSU University School, 9 to 5
Jaxon Reid, South Plantation High School, Side Show
The SpongeBob Set Team, Cooper City High School, The SpongeBob Musical
Orchestra
Nominees: Boca High Band, Boca Raton Community High School, Seussical
The American Heritage Pit Orchestra, American Heritage Broward, Curtains
Choreography
Nominees: Sofia Casares, Rubi Katz, NSU University School, 9 to 5
Samuel Douglas, Coral Springs High School, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown
Ava Fronstin, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Between The Lines
Remy Hochhauser, Defne Over, Mackenzie Warren, Boca Raton Community High School, Seussical
The SpongeBob Choreo Team, Cooper City High School, The SpongeBob Musical
Creativity
Nominees: Sofia Cabrera, Sara Ramon Fernandez, Dramaturgy Archbishop McCarthy High School, The Servant of Two Masters
Mason Davis, Foley Artist, Spanish River High School, The SpongeBob Musical
Adiah Ford and Ellie Rose, Vocal Direction, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Between The Lines
Avery Garfinkel & Sam Sanchez, Directing, Cooper City High School, The SpongeBob Musical
Ava Shawe, Foley Artist, The Benjamin School, Here There Are Blueberries
Stage Management and Crew in a Play
Nominees: Michael Alvarez, Emma Eidelman, Annabelle Persson and Crew, The Benjamin School, Here There Are Blueberries
Cecilia Ferreira and Crew, Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School, Murder On The Orient Express
Allie Lynch, Archbishop McCarthy High School, The Servant of Two Masters
Wesley Maye, Nicole Gustavson, Nathan Esper, Calvary Christian Academy, You Can’t Take It With You
Sherry Lynn Wiedrich, Isabela Matzen, Kennedy Pettygrove, Charlotte Wooley, AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Stage Management and Crew in a Musical
Nominees: Caroline Ellsley, Eva Lederman, Lis Targino Silveira and Crew, NSU University School, 9 to 5
Justin Galit, Jenna Martin, Madison McDermott, Zoey Strong, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Between The Lines
Maryann Carey & Kyra Houghtaling, Boca Raton Community High School, Seussical
Sasha Cervantes Mataix, North Broward Preparatory School, The Hunchback of Notre Dame
The SpongeBob Management Team, Cooper City High School, The SpongeBob Musical
Ensemble in a Play
Nominees: Archivists, The Benjamin School, Here There Are Blueberries
Students of Hogwarts, AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
The Residents, Calvary Christian Academy, You Can’t Take It With You
Sanitarium Staff , JP Taravella High School, Harvey
The Suspects, Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School, Murder On The Orient Express
Ensemble in a Musical
Nominees: The Gangsters, West Boca High School, The Drowsy Chaperone
The Gypsies, North Broward Preparatory School, The Hunchback of Notre Dame The Company of Robbin’ Hood, American Heritage Broward, Curtains Mermaids, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Between The Lines
The Sardines, Cooper City High School, The SpongeBob Musical
Featured Actor in a Female Role in a Play
Nominees: Daniella Abadir, Monarch High School, A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Sophia Caputo, AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Sara Ramon Fernandez, Archbishop McCarthy High School, The Servant of Two Masters
Alyvia Rigg, JP Taravella High School, Harvey
Isabella Villacorta , Calvary Christian Academy, You Can’t Take It With You
Featured Actor in a Male Role in a Play
Nominees: Levi Alphenaar , Calvary Christian Academy, You Can’t Take It With You
Jeremy Garza, Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School, Murder On The Orient Express
Dior Knight, AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Marco Medina, JP Taravella High School, Harvey
Nicholas Nasca, Archbishop McCarthy High School, The Servant of Two Masters
Featured Actor in a Female Role in a Musical
Nominees: Shaylah Benaim, David Posnack Jewish Day School, Into the Woods
Cydney Claydon, Boca Raton Community High School, Seussical
Brynn Levy, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Between The Lines
Anabella Lonardo, Somerset Arts Conservatory, Evita
Andrea Gonzalez Perez, American Heritage Broward, Curtains
Featured Actor in a Male Role in a Musical
Nominees: Mason Davis , Spanish River High School, The SpongeBob Musical
Ryan Gomez, Somerset Arts Conservatory, Evita
Elanah Moore , West Boca High School, The Drowsy Chaperone
Tysen Odeh, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Between The Lines
Payton Varga, Cooper City High School, The SpongeBob Musical
Dancer in a Female Role
Nominees: Maia Frauenberger, American Heritage Broward, Curtains
Marianna Gomez, Cypress Bay High School, Mamma Mia!
Saeryn Jones, Cooper City High School, The SpongeBob Musical
Leor Saffar, NSU University School, 9 to 5
Cecelia Weisberg, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Between The Lines
Dancer in a Male Role
Nominees: Ava Fronstin, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Between The Lines
Ethan Slavic , West Boca High School, The Drowsy Chaperone
Matthew Squeri, American Heritage Broward, Curtains
Jake Terl, Cooper City High School, The SpongeBob Musical
Jackson Goddard, NSU University School, 9 to 5
Vocalist in a Female Role
Nominees: Kasie Cabral , Spanish River High School, The SpongeBob Musical
Sofia Lopez, American Heritage Broward, Curtains
Grecia Ortiz-Marrero, West Boca High School, The Drowsy Chaperone
Kamila Perdomo Salazar, Cypress Bay High School, Mamma Mia!
Maggie Starr, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Between The Lines
Vocalist in a Male Role
Nominees: Noah-Duro Andre, American Heritage Broward, Curtains
Aaron Bigenho, Cypress Bay High School, Mamma Mia!
Gabriel Cadet, Somerset Arts Conservatory, Evita
Angel Leal, Coral Springs High School, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown
Emory Pierce, South Plantation High School, Side Show
Comic Actor in a Female Role in a Play
Nominees: Sofia Bornia, AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Sofia Cabrera , Archbishop McCarthy High School, The Servant of Two Masters
Lysandra Rodriguez, Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School, Murder On The Orient Express
Savannah Tessler, Monarch High School, A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Angelina Uzdavines , Calvary Christian Academy, You Can’t Take It With You
Comic Actor in a Male Role in a Play
Nominees: Julia Debrito, Monarch High School, A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Ernesto Fernandez , Archbishop McCarthy High School, The Servant of Two Masters
Graham Gilbert, AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Nicholas Gnann, JP Taravella High School, Harvey
Comic Actor in a Female Role in a Musical
Nominees: Lyndsey DeLoach, Boca Raton Community High School, Seussical
Hadley Mantell, NSU University School, 9 to 5
Stella Pappas, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Between The Lines
Annabella Thomas, West Boca High School, The Drowsy Chaperone
Sloane Varga, Cooper City High School, The SpongeBob Musical
Comic Actor in a Male Role in a Musical
Nominees: Tristan Chung , Coral Springs High School, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown
Jackson Codd, South Plantation High School, Side Show
Diego Figueroa , Spanish River High School, The SpongeBob Musical
Nate Grun, Cooper City High School, The SpongeBob Musical
Adriano Menezes, West Boca High School, The Drowsy Chaperone
Supporting Actor in a Female Role in a Play
Nominees: Iliana Almanzar, JP Taravella High School, Harvey
Julia Gouldthorpe , Archbishop McCarthy High School, The Servant of Two Masters
Katie Scarborough , Calvary Christian Academy, You Can’t Take It With You
Maria Costa Scheid, AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Ava Shawe, The Benjamin School, Here There Are Blueberries
Supporting Actor in a Male Role in a Play
Nominees: Austin Blakely, JP Taravella High School, Harvey
Donald DiCarlo, Coral Glades High School, Lost in Yonkers
Matthew Domenech , Archbishop McCarthy High School, The Servant of Two Masters
Elio Fantauzzi, Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School, Murder On The Orient Express
Connor Hullender, AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Supporting Actor in a Female Role in a Musical
Nominees: Mya Bustillo, Cooper City High School, The SpongeBob Musical
Ash Felix, American Heritage Broward, Curtains
Ellie Rose, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Between The Lines
Sophia Trujillo, Spanish River High School, The SpongeBob Musical
Jordan Williams, Boca Raton Community High School, Seussical
Supporting Actor in a Male Role in a Musical
Nominees: Luca Damiano, American Heritage Broward, Curtains
Maximus Dellaria, Cooper City High School, The SpongeBob Musical
Mario Galdames, North Broward Preparatory School, The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Sean Longman, NSU University School, 9 to 5
Eytan Whiting, West Boca High School, The Drowsy Chaperone
Lead Actor in a Female Role in a Play
Nominees: Juliana Bohm, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, William Shakespeare’s Macbeth
Saniya Duran, JP Taravella High School, Harvey
Aliyah Kallioinen , Calvary Christian Academy, You Can’t Take It With You
Rosaura Medina, Everglades High School, The Crucible
Sage Ponchock, The Benjamin School, Here There Are Blueberries
Lead Actor in a Male Role in a Play
Nominees: Darien Batista, AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Samuel Caycedo, JP Taravella High School, Harvey
Journey Collazo, Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School, Murder On The Orient Express
Jesse Oliva , Calvary Christian Academy, You Can’t Take It With You
Cody Straka, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, William Shakespeare’s Macbeth
Lead Actor in a Female Role in a Musical
Nominees: Michelle Gutierrez, North Broward Preparatory School, The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Jesse Jimenez, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Between The Lines
Rubi Katz, NSU University School, 9 to 5
Zoe Kent, Cooper City High School, The SpongeBob Musical
Abigail Murillo, Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory, The Little Mermaid
Lead Actor in a Male Role in a Musical
Nominees: King Bell, North Broward Preparatory School, The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Daniel Font-Wilets, American Heritage Broward, Curtains
Sam Herman, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Between The Lines
Thomas Mendez-Wall, Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory, The Little Mermaid
Jacob Miers, Cardinal Gibbons High School, The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Song
Nominees: The Bells of Notre Dame, North Broward Preparatory School, The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Happily Ever After Hour, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Between The Lines
Super Sea-Star Savior, Cooper City High School, The SpongeBob Musical
Toledo Surprise, West Boca High School, The Drowsy Chaperone
Thataway!, American Heritage Broward, Curtains
Play
Nominees: Here There Are Blueberries, The Benjamin School
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts
Murder On The Orient Express, Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School
The Servant of Two Masters, Archbishop McCarthy High School
You Can’t Take It With You, Calvary Christian Academy
Musical
Musical
Nominees: 9 to 5, NSU University School
Curtains, American Heritage Broward
The Hunchback of Notre Dame, North Broward Preparatory School
Between The Lines, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
The SpongeBob Musical, Cooper City High School
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