Tartans Thrive as Performing Arts Critics in ‘Cappies’ Program

With a critical eye toward on-stage performance, makeup and hair, costume design, choreography and more, nine St. Margaret’s students have traveled to various performing arts productions around Orange County, writing reviews and taking notes for year-end award considerations. 

 

The Critics and Awards Program (Cappies) is a national student-driven writing and awards program that trains and recognizes high school performing arts and journalism students to be expert writers, critical thinkers and leaders. Nine Tartans are part of the St. Margaret’s Cappies critics team this year, with senior Jake Kuljis serving as lead critic and junior Elena Plumb as assistant lead critic who will lead the team next year.

 

“The Cappies critics program promotes analytical writing skills, communication skills, time management, leadership development, confidence, self-direction and initiative,” said Darcy Rice, director of the arts at St. Margaret’s. “Through this program, students pick up expanded knowledge of theater concepts and are exposed to a wide array of plays and musicals. And through their work, students help build community awareness for the arts. We are proud to be a part of it.”

 

During the school year, students attend at least two productions as a team and up to 10 productions individually at high schools across the county. The critics from various schools all convene in a discussion room. They experience the performance as a group, discuss the elements of the performance during intermission and after the show, and determine what their Critics choices will be. When they return home, the critics submit their reviews online and they are reviewed by the mentors who also attended the show. The mentor selects the top reviews and forwards them to media outlets like the Orange County Register for publication.

 

Several Tartans have had work published this year, including senior Mitra Alikhani’s review of The Miracle Worker at Tesoro High School, junior Keely Yeargin’s review of Antigone at Capistrano Valley High School, sophomore Caroline Ullem’s review of The Tempest at University High School, Elena Plumb’s review of Arsenic & Old Lace at South Orange County School for the Arts, and Alexis-Marie Fintland's review  of 1984 at Sunny Hills High School. 

 

Other Tartans serving as Cappies critics this year include junior Natalie Haugan, freshman Nicholas Jacome and senior Bryce Victor. Upper School English teacher Beth Clemmons and Production Manager for the Arts Michele Silverman serve as mentors.

 

In addition to writing reviews for potential publication, the critics also collaborate to choose winners for various Cappies awards presented during a black-tie gala at the end of the school year. The categories range from best musical to lead actress to best male vocalist, which current St. Margaret’s student Blake Stevenson won last year. There are also awards given to critics by grade level based on collective work, which Elena and Caroline won last year.

 

This year’s Cappies gala will take place on May 20 at The Grove in Anaheim.