Nerinx Hall Cleans Up at Cappies Awards Ceremony

The Dale Williams Fine Arts Center at was packed with patrons and students attending the Seventh Annual Cappies Awards ceremony Sunday evening. Students, parents, teachers and classmates turned out to see some of the best high school theater students receive awards for their talent and hard work. 

The Cappies, also known as the Critics and Awards Program, was established in Washington D.C. to promote and celebrate high school theater. Since its inception, it has spread to several states including Missouri. The program awards actors, singers, directors, and technicians, as well as student theater critics who also select the night's award-winners.

“It’s always very flattering to win an award,” said Alex Prakken who won Lead Actor in a Musical for his performance in Nerinx Hall's Les Miserables.

The evening’s host, FOX 2 News Meteorologist Glenn Zimmerman, kept the night light and brisk as he facilitated the awards ceremony for the 30-plus recepients. In fact, in the name of brevity, the winners were asked to , which helped make the acceptances all the more refreshing and meaningful.

In a different sort of bittersweet moment, the evening also brought news that St. Louis Cappies Co-Founder Judi Greene would be stepping down as chairwoman. Green also serves as a director for productions at Marquette.

“I truly do believe that theater changes your life,” Greene said in her speech before receiving a standing ovation on behalf of the hundreds of students she impacted through her instructional and leadership roles.

In true Tony Awards-style fashion, from each of the shows nominated for Best Play or Best Musical. These single-scenes and songs gave the audience a brief but excellent example of the quality of these productions.

In the end, however, the best star qualities didn't come from the performances but from the strong character of the people behind them and the student actors themselves. 

“I really didn’t expect to win," said Caroline Amos, director of Nerinx Hall's Les Miserables, which won Best Musical. "It was cool to see all of my friends shine for all of their hard work.”

took home several awards:

• Featured Actor in a Musical: Zach Erhardt, Nerinx Hall, Les Misérables
• Female Vocalist: Amanda Jerry, Nerinx Hall, Les Misérables
• Supporting Actress in a Musical: Caroline Amos, Nerinx Hall, Les Misérables
• Supporting Actor in a Musical: Joe Essig, Nerinx Hall, Les Misérables
• Lead Actor in a Musical: Alex Prakken, Nerinx Hall, Les Misérables
• Comic Actor in a Musical: Ben Weber, Nerinx Hall, Les Misérables
• Comic Actress in a Musical: Allie Luecke, Nerinx Hall, Les Misérables
• Props and Effects: Brianna Duda, Nerinx Hall, Les Misérables
• Best Musical: Les Misérables, Nerinx Hall
• Top critic from Nerinx Hall: Audrey Smith

Nerinx Hall led area high schools for .