Presented by Jeffrey Walker
Edison HS Theatre / Cappies Mentor & Writer and critic
2022-23
Welcome!
AGENDA
Introduction
SECTION I: Cappies Writing Rules
SECTION II: Guide to Excellence
Follow up: “Live” Part 2
INTRODUCTION:
Why are you here?
GENERAL WRITING RULES
The aspects of writing that you can work on right away
GENERAL WRITING RULES
SUPER BASIC TIP:
Formatting and cosmetics may be lost but that’s okay.
Be sure you read the CIS-i-fied version for strange looking marks or punctuation
GENERAL WRITING RULES
DO. NOT. PLAGIARIZE.
This is one of the quickest ways to get removed as a Cappie
GENERAL WRITING RULES
Nim Takeiato proved there are no small parts by making the bellboy a scene-stealer.
Adele Sassoon performed the role of Miss Hannigan with a comic vengeance.
GENERAL WRITING RULES
Throughout the performance, gobos were used to indicate the dense forest setting.
Throughout the performance, the specialized lighting helped establish a dense forest setting.
Maria Mendez, as Dolly Levi, was the CEO of the production.
Maria Mendez commanded the stage as Dolly Levi.
GENERAL WRITING RULES
From start to finish, Pfizer Academy’s tap choreography was on point.
Ricardo Nunez was a boss at playing the grandfather.
GENERAL WRITING RULES
GENERAL WRITING RULES
In your reviews, please work to use
According to The Associated Press Stylebook, The Chicago Manual of Style: periods and commas go inside quotation marks.
“Once more unto the breach,” declared young King Henry, played fervently by …
GENERAL WRITING RULES
To help with grammar and usage
GENERAL WRITING RULES
Titles of shows
Rent
Two Gentlemen of Verona
To repeat: Be consistent
GENERAL WRITING RULES
Use the program or Playbill for student names
“Pete Marshall, as Albert, excelled as a song and dance man.”
Take accurate and thorough notes
For established authors you can check the internet
GENERAL WRITING RULES
Unless specified in the Playbill/program.
The NAMES are what parents, etc. are looking for in published reviews
GENERAL WRITING RULES
GENERAL WRITING RULES
Like a snow-delayed show
GENERAL WRITING RULES
Word count: Shoot for 450-525
GENERAL WRITING RULES
PUTTING THE AUDIENCE IN THE EXPERIENCE
But it’s the game-changing, life-size, horse puppets, from the South-African based Handspring Puppet Company, which are show-stopping winners.
It almost seems a misnomer to call them puppets because after a few minutes the audience forgets that there are two (surely exhausted) handlers inside working the animals’ legs and a third in charge of the head, the mane shaking off flies, the ears pricked and more.
They appear to take on a life of their own, galloping across the stage, kicking out, nuzzling up to the ensemble and fighting for survival on a battlefield.
You will fall in love with Joey, whose exploits we follow from unwanted foal to courageous war horse on the Front Line (and, yes, you will sob so bring plenty of tissues).
“War Horse,” by Anne Cox, Stage View
GENERAL WRITING TIPS
GENERAL WRITING TIPS
Criticize by
omission
HANDLING “CRITICAL” MOMENTS
Despite some occasional struggles, the whole cast and crew of Lillian Osborne High School's production of Our Town were ultimately successful in conveying the story's simple yet meaningful messages and thoughts about life. This performance surely left the audience pondering those messages long after they exited the confines of the theatre.
~ Nathan Juguilon, Blessed Oscar Romero (Edmonton, Alberta)
CAPPIES GUIDE TO EXCELLENCE
Answer the 5 W’s & the H:
Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?
The HOW is your review
“THE�ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS!”
Before you write your review remember:
You can only write about what is discussed in the Cappies room
During discussion time, make sure to speak up and say what you want to write about
The
Cappies
Room
is
GETTING TO WORK:
7 PARAGRAPH REVIEW GUIDE
GUIDE TO EXCELLENCE
STRONG OPENING
“This is Chicago, kid. You can’t beat fresh blood on the walls.”
This past weekend, Chantilly High School tackled the popular musical Chicago. This 1975 musical with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, tells the tale of Roxie Hart, who rockets to fame after murdering her lover Fred Casely …
~ Elizabeth Germain,
West Springfield High School
GUIDE TO EXCELLENCE
Do your homework – a little research can go a long way
Remember: What is discussed in the Cappies room
TIP:
HISTORY & SYNOPSIS
Meredith Willson's The Music Man is an American classic that stands the depths of time, receiving five Tony Awards including Best Musical since its original Broadway debut in 1957. The Music Man follows Professor Harold Hill as he prowls around town with a plan to con money from the citizens of River City.
~ Maurice Wade, Overbrook High School (South Jersey Cappies)
GUIDE TO EXCELLENCE
GUIDE TO EXCELLENCE
At the minimum:
What did these students contribute to the production
MENTIONING INDIVIDUALS & TECHNICAL ELEMENTS
Suryanshu Kommoju provoked sympathy with his outstanding performance as the sheepish, loving, and gullible Amos. In "Mr. Cellophane" his intricate vocal performance balanced loud and soft notes to display both anger and sorrow. Also of note was Rosa Broadberry's bright operatic voice as Mary Sunshine and Max James and Piper Read's technical skill as featured dancers.
~ Elizabeth Germain, West Springfield High School
Review of CHICAGO
Cappies style
MENTIONING INDIVIDUALS & TECHNICAL ELEMENTS
Sets, designed by Jaylan Enriquez and Libby Doty, were functional and versatile. The team used periaktoi * to display the various settings throughout the musical. Additionally, the set team created a moving clock for Cinderella's time limits with magic. The lighting, by Eleanor Brunsman and Christa Nalda, was appropriate and added to the mood of the show through techniques such as using pink light during love scenes and having different color palettes for each character.
~ Cameron Zakreski, Fairfax High School
Cappies style
GUIDE TO EXCELLENCE
Your assessment of the performance & highlights of what made it memorable for you
REVIEW�& ANALYSIS
Scott Eagle High School was filled with laughter as the cast and crew of their production of It's Murder in the Wings lit up the stage. From crazy 1980's hair to hilarious slapstick comedy, Scott High School dazzled the room.
… Characters such as Donald McShane, Maxie Dunsell, Eddie, and Bobbie June who were played by Dustin Carlson, Tyreke Padgett, Denzil Hamm, and Lenaya Sharp were quick and witty and played off the others with ease. Noah Holtman who portrayed the role of Lionel Upshaw went from eccentric writer to cold blooded murderer in a matter of seconds and did so impeccably …
Scott High School's production brought a bright and whimsical air to the classic whodunit murder mystery. The audience was on the edge of their seats in complete wonder and curiosity throughout the show, being drawn in by the quick humor, colorful costuming, and mysterious characters. Hats off to the cast and crew of It's Murder in the Wings!
~ Emma Grace Geckle, McAuley High School (Cincinnati)
Cappies style
GUIDE TO EXCELLENCE
An opening that grabs and a closing that they remember will elevate your review.
Always think of ways to wrap up your review
STRONG CLOSING
Archmere Academy's production of Middletown, brought to life by the cast's passion, energy, and candidness, proved to us that despite life's unpleasantries and absurdities, “it’s not rare, but it’s lucky, to be human.”
~ Eden Halterman, Academy of the New Church (Cappies, Philly)
STRONG CLOSING
In his director’s notes, Derek Goldman said the main question of Our Class is “What could any of us have done?” In a Polish village, many years ago, that question still lingers. And now it lingers on a bare stage at Theater J, asking a new generation the same question.
~ Jeffrey Walker, “Our Class,” on DC Theatre Scene (Oct 22, 2012)
FINAL THOUGHTS
Always write your reviews with these other points in mind:
CAPPIES WRITING PRINCIPLES
CAPPIES WRITING PRINCIPLES
DESCRIPTIVE LANGUAGE
This original musical has laughs, tears and joy - not to mention jaw-dropping star-turns - in a clash-of-cultures hoot that earns a big Broadway corsage.
DESCRIPTIVE LANGUAGE
Whether you call it a folk opera, a hip oratorio or a musicalized myth, it boasts some cracking songs that far outweigh its dramatic shortcomings.
CAPPIES WRITING PRINCIPLES
Clarksburg High School presented a colorful and bright production that emphasized the importance of staying true to your roots, even when they seem far away, and that family isn’t always the people who are related to you by blood.
CAPPIES WRITING PRINCIPLES
SELF-EDITING�CHECKLIST
At the end of your Cappies “Writing Your Review” section
Self-check questions to use as a guide for self-editing
KEEP IN MIND
WHY ARE YOU HERE?
CONCLUSION:�WHY ARE YOU HERE?
What does it mean to be a Cappies critic?
WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT?
“The Cappies program provides an unprecedented opportunity for students to think critically about a diverse range of theatre from Shakespearean tragedies to modern musicals.
Student critics, actors, and crew learn how to appreciate the nuances of theatre both on stage and behind the scenes.”
Lindsay Laviolette,
Ottawa Cappies program director and theatre teacher at St. Mother Teresa High School
BREAK A LEG
ENJOY YOUR SHOWS
BE PROUD TO BE PART OF THE CAPPIES