Cappies
The Critics and Awards Program strives to recognize Greater Cincinnati’s talented community of young writers, performers, and technical crews. High school theatre and journalism students who participate in the Cappies program are trained as critics, attend shows at other schools, and write and publish reviews.
Throughout the year, critics attend the productions of other schools and write critiques, the best of which are published! At the end of the year, all critics will come together to nominate and vote on their peers in various performance and technical categories. The awards are presented in a culminating Awards Gala that takes place in the Aronoff Center!
Meet your 2019 - 2020 critic team
Julia Antoine, Senior
Along with the Cappies program, she is involved in Pure Harmony choir, Art Club, and theatre crew. She is obsessed with cats, tea, and Broadway musicals. After high school, she plans to go into Stage Management for theatre productions. She is super excited about the Cappies program this year because theatre has always been a big part of her life. She loves seeing new shows. She listens to Broadway musical soundtracks on a daily basis, and she has worked on props crew for our most recent three high school productions, The Odd Couple: Female Version, High School Musical, and Alice In Wonderland. Theatre is an important escape for Julia where the stress of everyday life melts away. Through this program, she hopes to see some awesome high school productions, improve her writing skills, and just have a ton of fun getting to meet new people and share these experiences with others.
Lainy Demeropolis, Senior
Lainy is a Staff Writer and Editor for the school newspaper. She also spends her time being a barista outside of school and participating in NHS, VAB, Student Body, Mock Trial and SNHS. After high school, she plans to further her education in journalism while also getting a minor in Political Science. She hopes to learn more about theatre and being a critic through the Cappies Program.
Ainsley Helling, Senior
Ainsley is Student Body Secretary, a member of National Honor Society and Volunteer Advisory Board, a Cappies Critic, and a Staff Writer and Editor for the Ross High Times. After high school, she plans on attending Miami University, but is unsure of what major she would like to pursue. In her spare time, she loves to read, watch movies, and visit coffee shops around town. Through the Cappies program, she has already started to form closer bonds with her fellow critics and learned more about the world of theatre. She is excited about her future endeavors within this group and the memorable experiences she will have along the way.
Chloe Rack, Junior
Chloe is a junior and this is her first year as a Cappie. She is also involved in many extracurricular activities such as Art Club, Earth Club, SALT, the swim team, and track and field. One interesting thing about Chloe is that she has a pet hedgehog named Fitz and loves being a part of Young Life. Cappies has become apart of her life because of her interest in journalism and the fact that she loves to sit down and watch a good performance.
Isabella Saylor, Senior
Isabella is involved in numerous activities including: RAM Theatre Department Plays and Musicals, Thespian Society, Ross Legacy Show Choir, Varsity Tennis, Mock Trial, National Honor Society, Student Athletic Leadership Team, and Hope Squad. After graduation, Isabella will attend a four year university for engineering, and continue to be a part of theatre productions. Isabella loves how theatre takes her out of her comfort zone. She loves diving deeper into each character she plays. Also, she has made many lasting friendships through her involvement in theatre.
Keri Parker, Senior
Keri is involved in band, show choir, NHS, and RAM theatre project. After high school, she plans on going to college and getting a degree in music education with a concentration in vocal performance. RAM theatre project has provided her with room to express herself on stage with also growing as a performer. The environment that this program creates is not only fun, but also encouraging. She can’t wait for everyone to see what we have in store this year!
Ellie Naehring, Junior
Ellie Naehring is a junior at Ross High School. She is a drum major in the Ross Band of Class, a singer-dancer in Ross Legacy, a thespian troupe officer, and cappie critic team member. “RAM Theatre Project is an amazing thing to be a part of. I’m so happy to have a program that I can take pride in. We’re growing fast and I’m so excited to see where the program goes!”
Maya Soundappan, Senior
Maya Soundappan is a senior at Ross High School. She is in marching band, show choir, jazz band, NHS, Hope Squad, Cappies, and Ram Theatre Project. After high school, Maya plans to get a degree in psychology & neuroscience with a minor in music. Ram Theatre Project has truly helped her voice and ultimately grow as a performer. She is so excited for all of the student involvement planned for this coming year!
Joshua Inman, Senior
Lead Critic
Joshua Inman feels exceptionally proud to have leadership roles in Ross High School’s theatre department! Joshua is the secretary of the Thespian Troupe and acts as Lead Critic in the school’s Cappie Critic Team. Joshua believes he can make an impact on the department to help it grow.
Stacey Jones
Editing Mentor
English, Journalism, Yearbook Teacher
Mrs. Jones is currently in her ninth year of teaching. As teacher and adviser of various electives, she often wears numerous hats. She has a passion for words and the power they hold and wishes often for more time to read and write. She spends her time outside of school with her family, cheering on the Ohio State Buckeyes, travelling, and visiting as many coffee shops as possible. She looks forward to seeing the RHS cappies excel in the program while also enjoying an experience that encourages growth in writing and theatre beyond Ross.
Cappies Gala
At the end of the school year, the student critics vote to give awards to their fellow students for outstanding productions, group and individual performances, and achievements in technical categories. Awards are presented at the annual Cappies Gala at the Aronoff Center.