Three Awards Go to Students at Winston Churchill High School

Four students and an orchestral group in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) were among the local winners of awards from the Critics and Awards Program (Cappies) honoring high school actors, stage technicians, singers, dancers, musicians, and theater critics. The national capital area awards were presented at a gala held in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall on May 27.

Best cameo actress and actor awards went to Chloe Richard and Sam Klein, both in Winston Churchill High School’s production of Singin’ in the Rain. Thomas S. Wootton High School’s Matt Culbertson and Eli Mangold won the best sound award for Children of Eden. The best orchestra award for the third consecutive year went to Winston Churchill High School for the orchestra's performance in Singin’ in the Rain. MCPS students were nominated for other Cappies, including awards for lighting, props and effects, stage crew, featured actor in a play, featured actor in a musical, lead actress, lead actor, song, and musical production.

This was the eighth annual Cappies gala in the national capital area. More than 50 public and private high schools participated in the competition, which was judged by a panel of 302 student critics. The program, which began locally, has expanded to cities across the nation.

The three-hour gala will be broadcast in late June and July by WETA and Cox Cable Channel 21.