What are Cappies?
FOCUS ON 21st CENTURY LEARNINGThe 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.
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THROUGH THE CAPPIESTheatre 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.
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HOW IT ALL WORKSEach 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/
Theatre Director and Lead Critic
Mrs. Vanessa Gelinas THEATRE DIRECTOR VLGelinas@fcps.edu 703-319-2749 |
Vivian Lemons LEAD CRITIC (SENIOR) Class of 2020 |
The Oakton High School Cappie Critic Team 2019-2020
Jonathan Geerdes JUNIOR Class of 2021 |
Sean Gillen SOPHOMORE Class of 2022 |
Colleen McGuire SENIOR Class of 2020 |
Pritika Modhukuru JUNIOR Class of 2021 |
Madison Shannon JUNIOR Class of 2021 |
Isaac Swanson SOPHOMORE Class of 2022 |
Charlie Williams JUNIOR Class of 2021 |
2019 Cappies Critic Team at the Cappies Gala for their nominated critics, critic team, and musical.
Joe Malone (Lead Actor In A Musical), Emma Shacochis (Bill Strauss Graduating Critic), Vivian Lemons (Critics Team), Isabella Walrath (Critics Team), Vanessa Rivera (Critics Team), Carolyn Best (Comic Actress In A Musical, Bill Strauss Graduating Critic), Alexa Schwartzman (Critics Team), Pritika Modhukuru (Critics Team), Bella Fisken (Critics Team), Mrs. Gelinas (Best Musical).
Joe Malone (Lead Actor In A Musical), Emma Shacochis (Bill Strauss Graduating Critic), Vivian Lemons (Critics Team), Isabella Walrath (Critics Team), Vanessa Rivera (Critics Team), Carolyn Best (Comic Actress In A Musical, Bill Strauss Graduating Critic), Alexa Schwartzman (Critics Team), Pritika Modhukuru (Critics Team), Bella Fisken (Critics Team), Mrs. Gelinas (Best Musical).