Logo for “The Cappies” featuring a black top hat with stars above an open book with comedy and tragedy masks and a feather quill on a purple background.Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) students earned nominations for the 2025–26 Cappies Awards, one of the region’s premier high school theatre recognition programs. Winners will be announced at the Cappies 2026 Gala on Sunday, June 7, at the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall.

Congratulations to the following PWCS students, schools, and performances:

2026 Cappies Award Nominees

Sound

  • Chase Chapman, Leo Deangelo, Jared Marquez, Caitlin McCourt, Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School, “The Phantom of the Opera”

Orchestra

  • Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School Pit Orchestra, Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School, “The Phantom of the Opera”

Choreography

  • Charlotte Elliott, Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School, “The Phantom of the Opera”

Dancer in a Female Role

  • Charlotte Elliott, Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School, “The Phantom of the Opera”

Comic Actor in a Female Role in a Musical

  • Maya Vilchik, Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School, “The Phantom of the Opera”

Comic Actor in a Male Role in a Musical

  • Jeremiah Gates, Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School, “The Phantom of the Opera”

Lead Actor in a Female Role in a Musical

  • Erin Rigby, Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School, “The Phantom of the Opera”

Special Effects and or Technology

  • Lillian Grace Branco, Osbourn Park High School, “Between the Lines”

 The Cappies are a nationally recognized celebration of excellence in high school theatre, bringing together students from more than 45 schools across the National Capital Area.

For students and educators, the nominations reflect months of dedication, creativity, and collaboration both on stage and behind the scenes.

“Cappies nominations are a wonderful way to validate all the hard work the students have put into the show,” shared Lanny Warkentien, theatre teacher at Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School.

At Osbourn Park High School, the recognition has also strengthened school pride and community support.

“We are so proud of our students who worked on the musical this year, and it is wonderful to see the production honored with a Cappies nomination,” shared Jared Pugh, theatre teacher at Osbourn Park High School. “Watching our school community rally around the nominated student has been especially meaningful.”

Congratulations to this year’s nominees for their outstanding achievements in theatre and the arts.