3 Loudoun County Schools Receive Nominations For Cappies, Tony's Of High School Theater

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — High school theater productions that left an impression on audiences and student critics have earned nominations for awards. Nominations have been announced for the 2025 Cappies of the National Capital Area, a Tony Award-like program for local high school theater.

Productions put on by schools in Loudoun County were among the shows to receive multiple nominations. A Woodgrove High School student also received a nomination as a critic who writes reviews of the theater productions.

The following are the Cappies nominations for Woodgrove High School's "Mamma Mia!," Riverside High School's "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - High School Edition," Loudoun Valley High School's "Peter and the Starcatcher" and Independence High School's "Once Upon a One More Time (High School Version)." A full list of all Cappies nominees can be found online.

Bill Strauss Graduating Critic: Iza Piatkowski, Woodgrove High School

Marketing and Publicity: Xander Bush, Zoe Carter, Caty Jewell, Iza Piatkowski, Woodgrove High School, Mamma Mia!

Marketing and Publicity: Chance McGill, Kaitlyn Lanigan, Megan Sawyer, Riverside High School, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - High School Edition

Special Effects and or Technology: Nawal Abib, Cindy Ayala, Fama Gueye, Nariah S. Martin, Riverside High School, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - High School Edition

Sound: Wil Shank, Loudoun Valley High School, Peter and the Starcatcher

Lighting: ITPA Lighting Team, Independence High School, Once Upon a One More Time (High School Version)

Choreography: Caty Jewell, Maggie Bugaj, Aurora Schriver, Jordan Smith, Woodgrove High School , Mamma Mia!

Stage Crew: The Riverside Stage Crew, Riverside High School, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - High School Edition

Featured Actor in a Female Role in a Play: Michelle Harris, Riverside High School, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - High School Edition

Featured Actor in a Male Role in a Play: Krishnan Patel, Riverside High School, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - High School Edition

Dancer in a Female Role: Caty Jewell, Woodgrove High School , Mamma Mia!

Comic Actor in a Female Role in a Play: Kaitlyn Lanigan, Riverside High School, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - High School Edition

Comic Actor in a Male Role in a Play: Jojo Smothers, Riverside High School, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - High School Edition

Comic Actor in a Male Role in a Musical: Chase Danzenbaker, Independence High School, Once Upon a One More Time (High School Version)

Supporting Actor in a Male Role in a Play: Ben Demase, Loudoun Valley High School, Peter and the Starcatcher

Lead Actor in a Male Role in a Play: Jeffrey Henderson, Riverside High School, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - High School Edition

The Cappies recognize the accomplishments of high school theater as well as student critics who write reviews of high school theater productions. Winners of the Cappies awards will be announced at the Cappies Gala on Monday, June 2 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in DC.

Patch editor Michael O'Connell contributed to this report.