Local schools win big at theater awards
Two Plantation high schools and one inDaviewere recently awarded for their excellence in theater during the 15th annual Cappies Awards Gala.
The Cappies celebrate the work of public and private schools throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Program Director Lori Sessions said the program recognizes all aspects of theater from submitted works.
“I think the gala is just really a time to validate their work but also celebrate what these students are learning said.
This can be anything from the actual performances to the technical side of things, such as sound and lighting, as well as theater reviews. In fact, it is student critics that review the productions that ultimately determine the winners in a weighted peer review process.
Sessions said these students attend at least five productions throughout the high schools and write on average a total of 50 reviews every season. Theylook at the quality of the production, as well as its creativity and originality, before voting for the best inplays, musicals, tech and more. in the arts field,” Sessions
Nova Southeastern University’s University School inDaviecameout on top as the overall winner, having received a total of eight wins. This included awards for sound, lighting, costumes and choreography for their production of “Fiddler on the Roof.” The school also took home “BestMusical” and “Best Song.”
The other two awards went to graduating senior Andrew Singer for “Best Lead Actor in a Musical” and “BestMarketing and Publicity.” Singerwas one of only two students with double wins throughout the night.
“Tobehonoredforthatattheend of my high school career was just suchahugehonorandsuchanodto everything U-School has given me throughout the years,” Singer said.
The 18-year-old started out with the theater program at University School in fifth grade with a production of “Aladdin.” He later got involved with marketing during his junior year as part of an entry for an international thespians competition, for which he won the critics’ choice award. Since then, he’s done everything from writing press releases, designing programs, posters and more for the school’s productions.
Singer will be attending Emory University in Atlanta this fall and hopes to major in marketing and psychology.
“It’s really rewarding to be able to put your hard work into something and see it to its fruition and possibly eventually then be recognized for your hard work,” Sessions said. “I think that’s a really big life lesson for teenagers today.”
The two Plantation schools that won in multiple categories were American Heritage School and South Plantation High.
South Plantationwon in the Best Play for its performance of “The Crucible.” American Heritage, meanwhile, won in the categories of Best Featured Actress in a Musical, and Best Ensemble in aMusical.
junreyes@sun-sentinel.com