What are Cappies?

FOCUS ON 21st CENTURY LEARNING

The Cappies is a writing and awards program that trains high school theatre and journalism students to be expert writers, critical thinkers, and leaders. Student critics vie to be published in local media outlets by attending productions at other schools and writing critical reviews.

THROUGH THE CAPPIES

Theatre and journalism students are trained as critics and attend each others shows. Cappies students discuss and learn about theatre production. Throughout the year, newspapers publish the reviews with the students' bylines. 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.

HOW IT ALL WORKS

Each participating school selects a show to be attended, and also forms a team of 3 to 9 student critics and 2 adult volunteers in the fall. Shows may have between 20 and 90 critics in attendance. Critic teams and mentors gather in a private discussion room to perform pre, mid, and post show discussions. The technical and performance aspects of the show are discussed with provided documentation from the host school.
After each show, with adult oversight, the mentors and program director select the best written reviews to be sent to local press outlets. All the reviews are also sent back to the performing school.
At the end of the season, a Tonys-like celebration occurs, where all nominated shows perform a cutting or the critics' choice song, and the final Cappies awards are presented with a trophy by regional critics and peers.
All the information is from the official Cappies website, https://www.cappies.com/

 Cappies Nominations and Awards for the 2018 Season!
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2018 Cappies Award Recipient "The Titanic Band" for their achievements for "Best Orchestra."
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2018 Cappies Award Recipients, Jack Griggs, Diego Maldonado, and JD Mayer, for their achievements for "Special Effects and Technology."

Team Sponsor and Head Cappie

Mrs. Vanessa Gelinas
Team Sponsor
VLGelinas@fcps.edu
​703-319-2749
Emma Shacochis
HEAD CAPPIE (SENIOR)
Class of 2019

The Oakton High School Cappie Critic Team 2018-2019

Carolyn Best
​SENIOR
Class of 2019
Bella Fisken
JUNIOR
Class of 2020
Vivian Lemons
JUNIOR
Class of 2020
Joe Malone
SENIOR
Class of 2019
Pritika Modhukuru
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Vanessa Rivera
SENIOR
Class of 2019
Alexa Schwartzman
SENIOR
Class of 2019
Isabella Walrath
SENIOR
Class of 2019
2018 Cappies Critic Team at the Cappies Gala for their nominated critics, critic team, and musical.
Back: Carolyn Best (Critics Team), Jessie Yu (Critics Team), Parker Waters (Lead Actor in a Musical), Maggie Klein (Bill Strauss Graduating Critic), Alexa Schwartzman (Critics Team), Joe Malone (Featured Actor), and Mrs. Gelinas (Best Musical, Titanic the Musical).
Front: Vanessa Rivera (Maryland Theatre Guide Returning Critic), Emma Shacochis (Maryland Theatre Guide Returning Critic), and Lindsey Jacobson (Female Vocalist).