Held at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts on June 2, the 25th Annual Cappies Gala resulted in two nominations and even one win for Valley’s fall play: “Peter and the Starcatcher.”
Unlike previous years, Valley was part of the National Capital Area district of the Cappies program. The NCA region hosts a total of 46 high schools.
Both tech and performance were highlighted, with seniors Ben Demase and Wil Shank being nominated — Shank for the category of Sound Design, and Demase for the category: Supporting Actor in a Male Role in a Play.
Demase took home Valley’s single win for his performance as Captain Black Stache, although he tempered himself to not expect a win amongst various other nominees in the same category.
“I was genuinely shocked to hear my name called for the Cappie,” Demase said. “The Cappies NCA encompasses an extremely large area, hosting schools from a number of counties across Virginia. As a result, I didn’t have a speech prepared.”
Demase has been nominated for a cappie twice before, his first being for his performance as Percy Jackson in “Percy Jackson, the Lightning Thief,” and then as Mr. Webb in last year’s fall play: “Our Town.”
Captain Black Stache, however, was a role unlike any others Demase has played in the past, mostly due to how animated and dynamic it was.
“Captain Black State was the first explicitly comical character I’ve acted as in a Valley production,” he said. “Throughout the script he is constantly jumping between registers and attitudes, changing drastically in a moment’s notice.”
Junior Abby Landes, who performed alongside Demase in “Peter and the Starcatcher” as the titular character, Peter, was overjoyed to hear his name called for the Cappie.
“Loudoun Valley doesn’t often win, so hearing them announce Peter and the Starcatcher, I nearly flew out of my seat with excitement,” Landes said.
Landes recalls his animated movements as well as his ability to be both serious and silly as a testament to his immersion into the character.
“He has been such a great friend, scene partner, and overall actor. Seeing him win was one of the best experiences. He deserves it,” Landes said.
