LBT up for multiple Cappies awards

Winning a Cappies award is the pinnacle of high school theatre success. The Cappies, a theatre awards program conducted through 15 chapters nationwide, give awards in 35 different categories for nominations. With five nominations per category, the competition is tight. Receiving a Cappie award is a great honor for any individual, and this year, Lake Braddock Theatre (LBT) received seven Cappie nominations for its production of The Island of Doctor Moreau. The winners of these awards are announced at the annual Cappies Gala at the Kennedy Center on June 12.

Sophomore Sarah McDaniels was nominated for best Special Effects. Senior Kendra Weingast was nominated for Best Makeup. Junior Erin Bennett was nominated for Best Props. Senior Kyle Dannahey was nominated for Lights. Senior Max Grove was nominated for Best Supporting Actor. The ensemble, consisting of several half-animals, was nominated for Best Ensemble.

Not only were six individual students nominated, but the play itself was also nominated to receive the award for Best Play. Much like the Grammys, where the artists nominated for Best Song perform before the winner is announced, those nominated for Best Play perform a short selection from their play at the Cappies Gala.

Senior Breese Sherman stars as Dr. Moreau in the scene that will be performed at the gala. The scene is one of the goriest in the play, demonstrating LBT’s talent for special effects.

“I’m working on an experiment, known as the Panther Woman, and one of my other creations, the Leopard Woman, comes into the lab and kills me,” Sherman said. “It’s pretty exciting, I just hope I don’t get too much blood all over the stage.”

The Gala, held at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, will take place on June 12.

“I wouldn’t really say I’m too worried about anything,” Sherman said. “I just hope I get a good reaction out of the audience.”