This month’s announcement of nominees for the 22nd annual Cappies Awards once again recognizes the scores and scores of high school students in Broward and Palm Beach counties deeply committed to theater as performers, artists and critics — and their outstanding work.
On May 21, the Cappies program honors more than 200 students working in more than 30 productions at 26 schools in Broward and Palm Beach counties in a 7 p.m. gala at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
Nominees from 26 schools in Broward and Palm Beach will compete for the awards in 48 categories recognizing performers, orchestras, designers, technicians, publicists and critics. Modeled after Broadway’s Tony® Awards, the Cappies Awards presentation gala will feature songs and scenes from the top-nominated shows.
NSU University School in Davie received the most nominations at 23 with 19 for the most-nominated musical production, Amélie Teen Edition, and four for criticism. A.W. Dreyfoos School for the Arts in Palm Beach received the most nominations for a play for its production of Twelfth Night. With seven, Cooper City High School had the most nominations for criticism.
From acting to making props, from playing the music to lighting the stage, from crafting scenery to producing carefully considered reviews, they have staged both classic plays and shows just fresh off Broadway.
And with the spring, the local chapter of the national program has announced the nominees for the 2023-24 season.
Theater and journalism students are trained as critics and attend each others shows. Cappies students discuss and learn about theater production. Throughout the year, the Florida Theater On Stage publish the bylined reviews selected by their teacher advisors. At the end of the year, Cappies student critics decide who among their peer performers and technicians should be recognized for awards at the end of the season with glamour and excitement.
FRESHMAN CRITIC
Nominees: Annie Frischkorn, South Plantation High School
Keegan Harrypersad, Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS
Kopelman, NSU University School
Kate Logal, North Broward Preparatory School
Gavin MacArthur, Cooper City High School
SOPHOMORE CRITIC
Nominees: Avia Coloymore, Coral Glades High School
Kenny Gervais, Cooper City High School
Alyvia Rigg, J.P. Taravella High School
Rebecca Sherman, Fort Lauderdale High School
Maggie Starr, Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS
JUNIOR CRITIC
Nominees: Sam Dyer, NSU University School
Abby Goldberg, Cooper City High School
Sydney Lotz, Marjory Stoneman Douglas
Makayla Whelchel, North Broward Preparatory School
Mia Wilson, Cooper City High School
SENIOR CRITIC
Nominees: Sarah Abisror, Cooper City High School
Charlotte Cantor, North Broward Preparatory School
Giovanna Dellaria, Cooper City High School
Sofia Ferndandez, Calvary Christian Academy
Avery Redlich, NSU University School
CRITICS TEAM
Nominees: Cooper City High School, Giovanna Dellaria, Lead Critic
Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS, Sydney Lotz, Lead Critic
North Broward Preparatory School, Charlotte Cantor, Lead Critic
NSU University School, Avery Redlich, Lead Critic
South Plantation High School, Asia Delva, Lead Critic
PLAY
Nominees: Lost Girl, Monarch High School
The Grown-Ups, The Benjamin School
Twelfth Night, AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts
Puffs, Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School
The Curious Savage, Archbishop McCarthy High School
MUSICAL
Nominees: Chicago, Cypress Bay High School
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, American Heritage Broward
Amelié Teen Edition, NSU University School
Mean Girls, HS Edition, Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS
Mamma Mia, West Boca Raton High School
MARKETING AND PUBLICITY
Nominees: Alexandra Almeida, Travis Cousino, Melina Gyftopoulos, Monarch High School, Lost Girl
Alanis DeSouza, Oliver Paul, Melissa Azzarito, Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS, Mean Girls, HS Edition
Zachary Kopelman, Emma Rodriguez, Jack Steinman, NSU University School, Amelié Teen Edition
Isabella Ruiz, Archbishop McCarthy High School, The Curious Savage
Morgan Wilder, Shayne Buddman, Janette DelCastillo, North Broward Preparatory School, Mean Girls: High School Version
SPECIAL EFFECTS AND OR TECHNOLOGY
Nominees: Micah Boyce, Dalton Riley, Cardinal Gibbons HS, Little Shop of Horrors
Gracy Fraysure, Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS, Mean Girls, HS Edition
Kenny Gervais, Malorie Ravellette, Cooper City High School, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
Victoria Patten, Emily Reich, Carolina Reverte, Camila Teixeira DeOliveira, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, The Mousetrap
HAIR AND MAKE-UP IN A PLAY
Nominees: Hannah Anderton, Alexi Arocho, Andi Klein & Crew, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, The Mousetrap
Gabriella Galeno and Crew, Monarch High School, Lost Girl
Alexandra Denison, Avery Rivas & Co., Calvary Christian Academy, Pygmalion
Gabrielle Golubov, Jillian Christopher, AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts , Twelfth Night
Victoria Leon, Tamara Toma, Mia Martinez, Archbishop McCarthy High School, The Curious Savage
HAIR AND MAKE-UP IN A MUSICAL
Nominees: Sophia Goldstein, Haleigh Mish and Crew NSU University School, Amelié Teen Edition
Damien Ellowitz, Emma Kolb, American Heritage Broward, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Soleil Indelicato, Fort Lauderdale High School, Cinderella (Enchanted Edition)
Julia Montesino, Morgan Seeley, West Boca Raton High School, Mamma Mia
Malaya Zabat, Coral Springs High School, Shrek The Musical
SOUND IN A PLAY
Nominees: Adrian Cortes, Aled Perkins, Monarch High School, Lost Girl
Ellie Dana, Somerset Academy Key High School, Almost, Maine
Mariana Garzon, Manu Gomez and Crew, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, The Mousetrap
Versailles Vazquez, South Plantation High School, A Night Under the Stars
Erin Whitaker, Archbishop McCarthy High School, The Curious Savage
SOUND IN A MUSICAL
Nominees: Danielle Gardner, American Heritage Broward, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Mary Page Hoffmann, Auraya Tinney, Boca Raton Community High School, Company
Cora Rodriguez, NSU University School, Amelié Teen Edition
PROPS IN A PLAY
Nominees: Val Feria and Crew, Monarch High School, Lost Girl
Gabriela Barrios and Crew, Coral Glades High School, Murder on the Orient Express
Evan Paggi, Juliet Cintron, Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School, Puffs
Sofia Ramos and Crew Piper High School, Alice in Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass
Dylan Degenhardt & The Fazgang Prop Shop, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, The Mousetrap
PROPS IN A MUSICAL
Nominees: Deveyn Baptiste, Julie Nguyen and Crew, Cardinal Gibbons High School, Little Shop of Horrors
Zoey Connor, NSU University School, Amelié Teen Edition
Angelina Nazario, Coral Springs High School, Shrek The Musical
Tara Peart, Daniella Bieber, American Heritage Broward, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Maya Wolf, Ethan Tavolacchi, Luana Silberberg, Leah Wolf, David Posnack Jewish Day School, Freaky Friday
LIGHTING IN A PLAY
Nominees: Luca Zicarelli and Co., Piper High School, Alice in Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass
Ryan Brown and Co., AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Twelfth Night
Samantha Johns and Crew, Monarch High School, Lost Girl
Eva Davis, Victoria Verlangieri & Crew, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, The Mousetrap
Jadelyn McClary, South Plantation High School, A Night Under the Stars
LIGHTING IN A MUSICAL
Nominees: Nicholas Eichner, Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS, Mean Girls, HS Edition
Gianna Ritchson, Maya Rowe, Coral Springs High School, Shrek The Musical
Hayley Schachter, American Heritage Broward, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Sammi Toscano, Julia Dodge, Eiuissa Tinney, Boca Raton Community High School, Company
Julisa Landin Shelby Watt, Kayla McInnis-Convery, J.P. Taravella High School, Babes in Arms
COSTUMES IN A PLAY
Nominees: Kaitlyn Bradwell, Sarah Owosina, Elizabeth Kronhaus , AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts , Twelfth Night
Celeste Estrada, Abigail Hilbert, Ellison Howard, Alana Rutigliano, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, The Mousetrap
Afreeca Fullwood, Emilia Harris, Emma Burke, Piper High School, Alice in Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass
Ethan Needle and Crew Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School, Puffs
Evelyn Peyovich, The Benjamin School, The Grown-Ups
COSTUMES IN A MUSICAL
Nominees:
Kelsey Bonner, Maia Stein, West Boca Raton High School, Mamma Mia
Sofia Casares, Lucy Crawford, NSU University School, Amelié Teen Edition
Sofia Di Lauro, Neena Shaw, Cypress Bay High School, Chicago
Kayla Parrott, Celani Lightbourne, Tamar Anderson, Fort Lauderdale High School, Cinderella (Enchanted Edition)
Elisse Rodriguez, Coral Springs High School, Shrek The Musical
SETS IN A PLAY
Nominees: Karen Avrahami, James Switzer, South Plantation High School, A Night Under the Stars
Angelie Gomez and Co., Piper High School, Alice in Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass
Avery Garfinkel, Cooper City High School, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
Kylie Glassgold, Juliet Rojas and Crew, AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts , Twelfth Night
Set Team, Monarch High School, Lost Girl
SETS IN A MUSICAL
Nominees: Julia Amigorena, Samantha Garcia, Alex Gomez, Cypress Bay High School, Chicago
JPT Technical Theatre Class, Cast & Crew, J.P. Taravella High School, Babes in Arms
MSD Tech Crew, Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS, Mean Girls, HS Edition
David Gomez, Maurya Thakore, Sofia Zanatti, Coral Springs High School, Shrek The Musical
Ivy Neves, Nicole Ojeda-Ary, and Crew, Boca Raton Community High School, Company
ORCHESTRA
Nominees: Two Windmills Band, NSU University School, Amelié Teen Edition
Heritage Pit Orchestra, American Heritage Broward, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
CHOREOGRAPHY
Nominees: Gabbi Bongiovi, Miguel Cabrera, Cypress Bay High School, Chicago
Zara Dautruche, Zoe Schwartzberg, Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS, Mean Girls, HS Edition
Maddie Galan, Coral Springs High School, Shrek The Musical
Claudia Hammes, Boca Raton Community High School, Company
Lindsay Stern, NSU University School, Amelié Teen Edition
CREATIVITY
Nominees: Samuel Artel, Musicianship , American Heritage School Palm Beach Campus, The Fantasticks
Sam Dyer, Dramaturgy, NSU University School, Amelié Teen Edition
Sydney Lotz, Vocal Direction, Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS, Mean Girls, HS Edition
Kay Regalado, Arianna Byfield, Theo Mahan-Sassi, Lily Moscowitz, ASL Direction, South Plantation High School, A Night Under the Stars
Tyler Schmaling, Elizabeth Kronhaus, AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Music Composition, Twelfth Night
STAGE MANAGEMENT AND CREW IN A PLAY
Nominees: Arianna Byfield, Ashe Dickerson, South Plantation High School, A Night Under the Stars
Laylah Francois, Morgan Swanson, Monarch High School, Lost Girl
Aniston Jennings, Nikolai Gerrard and Co., AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Twelfth Night
Allie Lynch, Jewel Montalvo, Olivia Pereira, Julia Kim, Archbishop McCarthy High School, The Curious Savage
Miranda Pachter, Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School, Puffs
STAGE MANAGEMENT AND CREW IN A MUSICAL
Nominees: David Taylor and Crew, NSU University School, Amelié Teen Edition
Skya Shedd and Crew, West Boca Raton High School, Mamma Mia
Freddy Cycholl, Ava Austin, Briana Ojeda-Ary, Boca Raton Community High School, Company
Hannah Hackney, Christina Garofalo, Gabrielle Hoffman, Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS, Mean Girls, HS Edition
Rebecca Weltmann, American Heritage Broward, Joseph and theAmazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
ENSEMBLE IN A PLAY
Nominees: ABC, Monarch High School, Lost Girl
“The Conspirators”: Sir Toby Belch, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Fabian, Maria, AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts , Twelfth Night
Senior Camp Counselors, The Benjamin School, The Grown-Ups
The Guests, Archbishop McCarthy High School, The Curious Savage
The Tweedles , Piper High School, Alice in Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass
ENSEMBLE IN A MUSICAL
Nominees: Brothers, American Heritage Broward, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Fairytale Creatures, Coral Springs High School, Shrek The Musical
Jesus’s Followers, Westminster Academy, Godspell
Greek Islanders/Tourists, West Boca Raton High School, Mamma Mia
The Waitresses, NSU University School, Amelié Teen Edition
FEATURED ACTOR IN A FEMALE ROLE IN A PLAY
Nominees: Niviana Allen, South Plantation High School, A Night Under the Stars
Journey Collazo, Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School, Puffs
Afreeca Fullwood, Piper High School, Alice in Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass
Emma Glashower, Calvary Christian Academy, Pygmalion
Caroline Greco, Archbishop McCarthy High School, The Curious Savage
FEATURED ACTOR IN A MALE ROLE IN A PLAY
Nominees: Juliet Cintron, Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School, Puffs
Luis Granda, Archbishop McCarthy High School, The Curious Savage
Jaxon Reid, South Plantation High School, A Night Under the Stars
Samuel Schneider, AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts , Twelfth Night
Christopher Zarn, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, The Mousetrap
FEATURED ACTOR IN A FEMALE ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Nominees: Olivia Espinoza , North Broward Preparatory School, Mean Girls: High School Version
Mira Levinson, American Heritage Broward, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Haley Morris, Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS, Mean Girls, HS Edition
Leelle Raz, David Posnack Jewish Day School, Freaky Friday
Neena Shaw, Cypress Bay High School, Chicago
FEATURED ACTOR IN A MALE ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Nominees: Nolan Balais, West Boca Raton High School, Mamma Mia
Daniel Font-Wilets, American Heritage Broward, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Zachary Kopelman, NSU University School, Amelié Teen Edition
Jamie Lauffer , American Heritage School Palm Beach Campus, The Fantasticks
Sofia Palhano , Coral Springs High School, Shrek The Musical
DANCER IN A FEMALE ROLE
Nominees: Zara Dautruche, Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS, Mean Girls, HS Edition
Claudia Hammes, Boca Raton Community High School, Company
Haleigh Mish, NSU University School, Amelié Teen Edition
Julia Poms, Cypress Bay High School, Chicago
Kathryn Wright, Westminster Academy, Godspell
DANCER IN A MALE ROLE
Nominees: Jaden Blanco, West Boca Raton High School, Mamma Mia
Sofia Casares, NSU University School, Amelié Teen Edition
Samuel Douglas , Coral Springs High School, Shrek The Musical
Keagan Harrypersad, Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS, Mean Girls, HS Edition
Gabriel Salazar Pacheco, American Heritage Broward, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
VOCALIST IN A FEMALE ROLE
Nominees: Marni Gass, West Boca Raton High School, Mamma Mia
Martina Rodriguez, Cypress Bay High School, Chicago
Julia Romero , North Broward Preparatory School, Mean Girls: High School Version
Yasmeen Smith , J.P. Taravella High School, Babes in Arms
Ella Valente, Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS, Mean Girls, HS Edition
VOCALIST IN A MALE ROLE
Nominees: Austin Blakely , J.P. Taravella High School, Babes in Arms
Miguel Cabrera, Cypress Bay High School, Chicago
Jack Pawlowski , American Heritage School Palm Beach Campus, The Fantasticks
Sean Roberts, Cardinal Gibbons High School, Little Shop of Horrors
Austin Tindell, Boca Raton Community High School, Company
COMIC ACTOR IN A FEMALE ROLE IN A PLAY
Nominees: Lucy Forrest, Coral Glades High School, Murder on the Orient Express
Alexa Ramsland, Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School, Puffs
Isabella Ruiz, Archbishop McCarthy High School, The Curious Savage
Sage Sorenson, The Benjamin School, The Grown-Ups
Chloe Willer, AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts , Twelfth Night
COMIC ACTOR IN A MALE ROLE IN A PLAY
Nominees: Kentarion Cartwright, Piper High School, Alice in Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass
Connor Hullender, AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts , Twelfth Night
Samuel Nnadiugwu, South Plantation High School, A Night Under the Stars
Gabriel Rodriguez, Somerset Academy Key High School, Almost, Maine
Nicholas Slane, Calvary Christian Academy, Pygmalion
COMIC ACTOR IN A FEMALE ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Nominees: Ally Babincak , North Broward Preparatory School, Mean Girls: High School Version
Cailey Herman, Fort Lauderdale High School, Cinderella (Enchanted Edition)
Rachel Sadow, West Boca Raton High School, Mamma Mia
Myla Shapiro, Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS, Mean Girls, HS Edition
Alyssa Tuchinsky, David Posnack Jewish Day School, Freaky Friday
COMIC ACTOR IN A MALE ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Nominees: Jay Boegem, North Broward Preparatory School, Mean Girls: High School Version
Sam Dyer, NSU University School, Amelié Teen Edition
Christopher Moody, American Heritage Broward, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Lorenzo Sandri, Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS, Mean Girls, HS Edition
Bryce Webb, Cardinal Gibbons High School, Little Shop of Horrors
SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A FEMALE ROLE IN A PLAY
Nominees: Emma Bruce, Calvary Christian Academy, Pygmalion
Gabriella Galeno, Monarch High School, Lost Girl
Ava Gouldthorpe , Archbishop McCarthy High School, The Curious Savage
Rebekkah Merkel, The Benjamin School, The Grown-Ups
Mahogany Prichard, AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts , Twelfth Night
SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MALE ROLE IN A PLAY
Nominees: Mateo Cruz, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, The Mousetrap
Anthony DeLeo, Cooper City High School, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
Ernesto Fernandez, Archbishop McCarthy High School, The Curious Savage
Justin Lynch, Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School, Puffs
Shaine Rainsburg, AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts , Twelfth Night
SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A FEMALE ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Nominees: Maddie Galan, Coral Springs High School, Shrek The Musical
Julia Gonzalez, West Boca Raton High School, Mamma Mia
Rubi Katz, NSU University School, Amelié Teen Edition
Shea Korman, American Heritage Broward, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Sydney Lotz, Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS, Mean Girls, HS Edition
SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MALE ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Nominees: Yoav Dahan, Cypress Bay High School, Chicago
Bailey Fier, J.P. Taravella High School, Babes in Arms
Sean Jenkins, Coral Springs High School, Shrek The Musical
Marcos Ortiz-Marrero, West Boca Raton High School, Mamma Mia
Oliver Paul, Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS, Mean Girls, HS Edition
LEAD ACTOR IN A FEMALE ROLE IN A PLAY
Nominees: Elisabeth Chew, Calvary Christian Academy, Pygmalion
Kiara Dobrowolski, AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Twelfth Night
Maya Lopez-Ortiz, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, The Mousetrap
Bella Nanavichit, Archbishop McCarthy High School, The Curious Savage
Isabella Le Sante, Monarch High School, Lost Girl
LEAD ACTOR IN A MALE ROLE IN A PLAY
Nominees: David Frear, The Benjamin School, The Grown-Ups
Jesse Joel Oliva, Calvary Christian Academy, Pygmalion Evan Paggi, Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School, Puffs
Cody Straka, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, The Mousetrap
Payton Varga, Cooper City High School, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
LEAD ACTOR IN A FEMALE ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Nominees: Yael Eliani, David Posnack Jewish Day School, Freaky Friday
Gabriella Estabrook, West Boca Raton High School, Mamma Mia
Sophia Hazleton, Cardinal Gibbons High School, Little Shop of Horrors
Angelina Nazario, Coral Springs High School, Shrek The Musical
Lindsay Stern, NSU University School, Amelié Teen Edition
LEAD ACTOR IN A MALE ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Nominees: Lucas Brown, West Boca Raton High School, Mamma Mia
Jonathan Jacknow, American Heritage School Palm Beach Campus, The Fantasticks
Jack Ryan, American Heritage Broward, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Samuel Seeman, Westminster Academy, Godspell
Jack Steinman, NSU University School, Amelié Teen Edition
SONG
Nominees: We Both Reached for the Gun, Cypress Bay High School, Chicago
A Better Haircut, NSU University School, Amelié Teen Edition
One More Angel In Heaven, American Heritage Broward, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Johnny One Note, J.P. Taravella High School, Babes in Arms
Voulez-Vous, West Boca Raton High School, Mamma Mia
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