The Cappies
About The Cappies
The Cappies is a “Critics and Awards Program,” through which high school theatre and journalism students are trained as critics. They attend shows at other schools, write reviews, and submit them to the Cappies organization to be considered for publication in local newspapers including The Washington Post. At the end of the year, the student critics vote for awards in many categories (both technical and acting) much like the Tonys. The awards are announced and presented at a formal Cappies Gala at the Kennedy Center at the end of the school year. Philip Reid, Speech & Drama Teacher, is the faculty mentor for McLean High School’s Cappies.
Who Are They?
Cappies critics are 9-12th grade students who attend designated high school plays and musicals in the MD, VA, and DC region, submit written reviews for publication, and vote for favorite performances. Many of the critics on the MHS Cappies Team have each attended and reviewed between 11 to 21 designated Cappies shows this season.
Critics receive points for submitting reviews, and extra points if reviews are selected for publication. Critics may not review shows at their home schools and therefore cannot vote for their own school entries.
Each critic spends several hours completing the voting process, considering superlatives and rankings in categories such as acting, singing, dancing, lighting, set design, sound, stage management, publicity, hair and makeup, costume design, and more for every show they’ve personally seen. Results are collected and run through an algorithm that takes many variables into account. There is a separate category of awards for Cappies critics based on points earned individually and by the team as a whole.
Our Awards and Nominations
The National Capital Area Cappies program currently consists of 58 public and private high schools from Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. Each participating school has a review team of up to nine students and a faculty mentor. Participating schools are invited to submit a play or musical for review and awards evaluation. TheatreMcLean has traditionally had great Cappies success.
2022 Cappies
Awardees
Best Show: Airness
Marketing and Publicity: Clare A’Hearn ‘22, Airness
Hair and Make-up: Sabrina Beadie ‘23, Emery Graninger ‘24, Erin Sharpe ‘22, Airness
Sound: JT Fulkerson ‘22, Ethan Jones ‘25, Emma Springer ‘24, Matthias Zahinser-Renteria ‘23, Airness
Nominees
Special Effects and or Technology: JT Fulkerson ‘22, Ethan Jones ‘25, Megan Wright ‘24, Airness
Lighting: Colin Coerr ‘22, JT Fulkerson ‘22, Scott Fulkerson ‘24, Alessandro Martinat-Pilhaca ‘23, Airness
Costumes: Kyrsten Lewey ‘22, Bri Zawicki ‘22, Airness
Sets: Airness
Ensemble in a Play: Airness
Supporting Actor in a Female Role in a Play: Edil Erdogan ‘23, Airness
Supporting Actor in a Male Role in a Play: Arielle Else ‘23, Airness
Critics Team
2021 Cappies Awards
Clare A'Hearn ‘22, Maryland Theater Guide Returning Critic
Emilia Ermanoski ‘21, Bill Strauss Graduating Critic
2019 Cappies
Awardees
Lead Actress in a Play: Kristen Waagner, Lord of the Flies
Props: Graydon Al Khafaji, Nolan English, Blake Johnson, Rachel Kulp, Lord of the Flies
Best Critics Team: Helen Ganley, Mary Kate Ganley, Syd Kirk, Kara Murri, Alannah Rivera, Kristen Waagner
Bill Strauss Graduating Critic: Kristen Waagner
Nominees
Best Play: Lord of the Flies
Hair and Makeup: Lord of the Flies
Set: Lord of the Flies
Special Effects and Technology: Lord of the Flies
Supporting Actress in a Play: Lord of the Flies
2018 Cappies
Awards
Choreography: Kristen Waagner, Ashley Winegarden, 9 to 5 The Musical
Best Critics Team: Abby Covington, Helen Ganley, Mary Kate Ganley, Katherine Kelly, Rachel Kulp, Emily Lachow, Julia Luigs, Alannah Rivera, Kristen Waagner
Nominees
Comic Actor in a Musical: Benji Harris, 9 to 5 The Musical
Returning Critic
2017 Cappies
Awardees
Best Critics Team: Syona Ayankeril, Helen Ganley, Jess, Katherine Kelly, Emily Lachow, Julia Luigs, Kristen Waagner
Rising Theatre Critic: Kristen Waagner
