Talent from High Schools Shines at the 22nd Annual Cappies Awards

Coral Springs, Florida – The Broward Center for the Performing Arts and South Florida Cappies sponsored the 22nd Annual Cappies Awards, which honored high school theater students from Coral Springs and Parkland with a night of accomplishments.

The May 21 ceremony honored students from 29 local schools with medals and commendations for their excellent efforts in high school theater.

Sydney Lotz for Supporting Actor in a Female Role in a Musical and Myla Shapiro for Comedic Actor in a Female Role in a Musical for Mean Girls were the two awards that Marjory Stoneman Douglas Drama took home.

Sean Jenkins of Coral Springs High School won for Shrek The Musical’s Best Supporting Actor in a Male Role.

Yasmeen Smith for Babes in Arms earned the J.P. Taravella Award Best Vocalist in a Female Role.

The largest victor, NSU University School, took up eight awards, including critical ones.

The NSU University School’s production of Amélie Teen Edition and American Heritage’s performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat both took home six prizes, tying the school for the most decorated musicals in Broward.

The Mamma Mia performance from West Boca Raton High School took home the Best Musical award, while The Curious Savage, produced by Archbishop McCarthy High School, was the most decorated play, taking home six medals, 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 honor accomplishments in forty-eight categories, including publicists, reviewers, orchestras, designers, technicians, and performers.

Participating schools’ student critics saw performances by competing schools, reviewed them, and suggested candidates. The winners were chosen by the students via a weighted peer-review voting procedure.

The 22nd season of South Florida Cappies, which saw an increase of eight schools and over 300 reviews submitted, was the largest season in the Cappies’ history, which elated founder and chair Lori Sessions.

“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.”