The annual Cappies Gala for the National Capital area took place on June 2 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, celebrating high school theater excellence. Students from Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) were recognized in various categories.
Alden Walcott from South Lakes High School received the Andy Mays Rising Critic award. Madelyn Regan of Centreville High School was honored as the Maryland Theater Guide Returning Critic, while Ellen Lawton from Herndon High School won the Bill Strauss Graduating Critic award.
In technical categories, Kat Pascual, Libby Hansen, Olive Webster, and Devin Linthicum from Fairfax High School were awarded for Marketing and Publicity for “Much Ado About Nothing.” Bella Molino of Lake Braddock Secondary School earned recognition for Special Effects and Technology in “The Trojan Women.”
Isabelle Philippe, Jade Mattei, and their team at South Lakes High School were acknowledged for Hair and Make-up in “Once Upon a Mattress.” Madison Eismeier from Lake Braddock Secondary School won in Sound for “The Trojan Women,” while Caroline Cochran, Cameron Filson, Eva Klinker, and Victoria Reyes of Oakton High School were recognized for Props in “Into the Woods.”
Lighting honors went to William Waugh, Kareena Kasperowski, and Natalie Mitchell of South County High School for “A Chorus Line: Teen Edition.” Nathaniel Howard from Lake Braddock Secondary School received an award for Costumes in “The Trojan Women,” with Eliot Hettler, Amelia Haid, Isabel Suk, and The Set Team at Oakton High School winning Sets honors.
Choreography accolades went to Ava Taylor, Josie Sinniger, and Karen Board from Hayfield Secondary School for “Crazy for You.” Allie Vargo and Katherine Dailey of McLean High School excelled in Stage Management with “Amelie,” while Dramahawks Run Crew from Hayfield Secondary was recognized as Stage Crew in “Crazy for You.”
In acting categories, Ashley Kennedy of Lake Braddock Secondary was named Featured Actor in a Female Role in a Play with her performance in “The Trojan Women.” Cassie DellaVedova from South County High was honored as Dancer in a Female Role with her role in “A Chorus Line: Teen Edition.”
Itsuko Scoville at South Lakes High stood out as Vocalist in a Female Role with her performance in “Once Upon a Mattress.” Juliana Gurrola from Woodson High excelled as Comic Actor in a Female Role in a Play with her role in Shakespeare’s “Lear.”
Mauro Manganello of Fairfax High won Comic Actor in a Male Role in a Play with his performance in “Much Ado About Nothing,” while Savannah Day at Oakton High was recognized as Comic Actor in a Female Role in a Musical with her role in “Into the Woods.”
Noelle Brosnan from Robinson Secondary earned recognition as Comic Actor in a Male Role with his performance of Tuck Everlasting. Sofi Hemmens at Justice High stood out as Supporting Actor with her role Almost Maine.
Murphy Finnegan excelled as Lead Actor within The Trojan Women alongside Isaac Frenza’s lead portrayal within Much Ado About Nothing – both representing FCPS schools successfully capturing awards throughout this prestigious event held annually honoring youth theatre talent across multiple areas nationwide!
