South Lakes and Herndon High theatre departments shine at the Cappies

By Erin Gibbens and Reston Letter Staff

The Cappies are a national critics and awards program (CAP) that began in 1999 right here in Fairfax County. The program recognizes, celebrates, and provides learning experiences for high school level theatre and journalism students, as well as teenage playwrights. Each high school in a Cappies program selects one production each year to be their Cappies show. This year South Lakes High School chose their spring musical, Once Upon a Mattress, and Herndon High chose their fall play Macbeth. Student journalists write reviews about shows, and awards are decided upon in various categories, including critics awards for the students who write the reviews. Everything culminates in a formal awards gala in at the Kennedy Center.

South Lakes High School Theater Arts program captured the spotlight with their spring 2025 production of Once Upon A Mattress, earning an array of award nominations.

Their whimsical retelling of the Princess and the Pea earned five nominations for the Brandon Victor Dixon Awards on May 17 at the National Theatre, including best musical, 3 best performer nominations, and Sara Moezie won the award for outstanding achievement in technical theater for Costume Design. 

South Lakes also received nine Cappies nominations, recognizing excellence in high school theatre across a variety of categories such as best musical, outstanding performers, dancer, choreography, hair and makeup, marketing, and Cappies critics. These talented students won four Cappies on June 2 at the Kennedy Center: Itsuko Scoville won the award for Vocalist in a Female Role for her role as Lady Larken, Isabelle Phillippe and her team won for Hair and Makeup, Alden Walcott won the Rising Critic award, and Iman Hassan led her team of 9 critics to win the Cappies Critic team award. 

Congratulations to the entire cast and crew of Once Upon a Mattress. Bravo to the director, Mr. Michael Viola, and his incredible team for another exceptional season defying expectations! 

SLHS stage performs pose at the Kennedy Center. Photo courtesy of SLHS Theatre

South Lakes High School Theatre director Mike Viola with Alden Walcott, who won the Rising Critic award for her reviews of local high school theatre productions.

Ellen Lawton of Herndon High win Cappies Critic Award

Also at the Cappies awards on June 2, HHS senior Ellen Lawton won the “Bill Strauss Graduating Critic” award for her reviews of local high school plays. The win is an incredible achievement that reflects her hard work, talent, and dedication to Herndon High School Theatre. Lawton has been a standout presence as an actor, lead Cappies Critic, and International Thespian Society vice president, and her recognition is well deserved.

A big congratulations as well to the entire HHS Theatre team and their director, Scott Pafumi, for another remarkable season. During the Cappies Gala, Mr. Parfumi received a special shout-out as one of a handful of educators who have been involved with the program since its very first year, 25 years ago. Herndon Theatre continues to shine thanks to the passion and commitment of its students and leadership. Bravo to all! 

Herndon High Theatre Department at the Kennedy Center for the Cappies awards.

Photo courtesy of HHS Theatre

Herndon High Theatre director Scott Pafumi and Ellen Lawton, who won the Bill Strauss Graduating Critic award for her written reviews of local high school plays.