The Cappies Email Format
Artists and WritersVirginia, United States11-50 Employees
The Cappies is an international program focused on recognizing and supporting high school theater and journalism students, as well as teenage playwrights, through a structured system of critique and publication. Founded in 1999 in response to the Columbine tragedy, the program aims to shift attention toward teenagers engaged in creative pursuits by providing training in theater criticism and review writing, and by generating publishable work that features student bylines in local newspapers. The organization operates through multiple Cappies programs across the United States and Canada, each involving participating high schools that select student critic teams who attend performances and produce substantial reviews. These reviews are guided and refined by volunteer teacher-mentors and ultimately published, contributing to learning experiences and recognition for young participants. The Cappies is based in Tysons, Virginia, and serves a community of schools and students through its international network.