The Arts

Performing Arts | Cappies

The Cappies have returned to ANC. Cappies is short for Critics and Awards Program (www.cappies.com), a national program developed to spotlight high school theater and journalism students. ANC is a member of the Greater Philadelphia Cappies (GPC) program, currently the second largest group in the country. The mission of the Cappies program is to foster community recognition of achievement in theater arts and to enhance, celebrate, and add excitement to high school theater. This year, the GPC is stressing the values of RESPECT and INTEGRITY. 

Each member school selects a team of 4-6 critics who are trained in early October and then attend at least 5 shows at other area high schools throughout the year. Critics write a 300-400 word review of each show on a deadline which are then anonymously read by two teacher-mentors who have also attended the show. The top 5 reviews are chosen for publication in the Philadelphia Inquirer (www.philly.com) or a local paper. At the end of the year the critics vote for awards in 35 categories covering performance and technical theater. The awards are given out at the end of May during a formal Gala attended by all the member schools.

Our 2009 spring musical, Bye, Bye Birdie, won an award for our fabulous set, and we have been repeatedly nominated for sets, costumes, lighting and design, acting, and song awards.

This year, our ANC Cappies Critics are Grace C (Lead Critic), Jency B, Michelle B, Cailin E, and Leanna Z. Several of our Critic's reviews have been selected for publication submission, and can be read here.

This December, we hosted 50 Cappies Critics at our Saturday matinee of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Student reviews of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory can be read in our student online newspaper at www.theacademian.com.