<p>Hi- My D recently became a cappy. I don't know how many of you are part of this program, but I am excited that her high school is participating. It was developed as a way to recognize theatre students the way many schools do thier atheletes. Basically, she and her team of fellow critics are assigned to review 5 different shows within our county over the course of the year. All the kids write reviews, and a few get chosen for publication in local newspapers. The other schools do the same, and each participating school gets to have a show reviewed and judged each year. Near the end of the year, all the kids who have been critiquing shows get to vote for best show, best actor etc. The nominees get to go to an awards show similar to the Tonys, and see who wins. There are so many good things about the program, I am delighted our school is participating. Here is a link to an article about the program: <a href="http://www.cappies.com/nca/news/2002/gala/media/nyt_postgala.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.cappies.com/nca/news/2002/gala/media/nyt_postgala.html</a>
I am just learning more about it, but the website seems to offer a great deal of info.</p>
<p>Congratulations on joining such a worthwhile program as CAPPIES!!</p>
<p>I am a CAPPIES mentor and co-producer of the Gala for the Dallas chapter.</p>
<p>What city are you from and how many schools participate?</p>
<p>xxx,Mary Anna</p>
<p>P.S. Last year's Dallas winner for best male lead in a musical is now at CMU on a full ride for MT!</p>
<p>anothermomwithquestions,</p>
<p>My former high school participates in the Cappies program as well. I think it's a great idea, and I had so much fun seeing all the shows and especially going to the gala. We won a bunch of awards last year, and I actually won two of them. It was a lot fun, but sometimes it would create a competition and cause some hostility between schools. But really, overall it was a great way to get people from all over the area who all appreciate together to share their experiences and have fun together.</p>
<p>We are in Orange County, Ca and there are 25 schools participating! My D saw her first show to review last night, and she just turned in her review. It just seems to be an excellant program on so many levels; encouraging the kids to be critics and an active part of the audience allows them to be more critical of their own acting. And then seeing shows that some of their friends are in, at other schools, as well as seeing what the competition is like out there helps to foster a team feeling amongst the kids, as well as help with realistic self-evaluation.. At my D's school the drama kids are definately the nerds, and they get to meet other kids like themselves. And to get the recognition in the community, via both the reviews and the gala is truly exciting. Yay Cappies!</p>
<p>And congrats actor465. There is alot of talent on this board!</p>
<p>Just a little update, and a small brag...One of my D's reviews was selected for publication in a local newspaper! It was her last review of the year, what a fun way to end it.</p>
<p>Hey, that's GREAT! That is fine recognition for her writing, as well as tied to her musical theater pursuits! We dom't have Cappies here but my D has friends in FL that have those and it seems like such a great program. Every aspect of what I have read about Cappies seems truly wonderful. I wish we had it here! Congratulations to your D for getting her article/review published. Quite cool.</p>