CAREER RECOGNITIONS
- Loudoun's 40 Under 40 Class of 2023 - 2023
- Blue Ridge Cappies - Best Musical - Big Fish - 2023
- Premier Community for Theatre Education - Educational Theatre Association - 2023
- State Champions - The Trench - Virginia High School League - 2023
- State Champions - The Trench - Virginia Thespian Society - 2023
- Teacher of the Year Finalist - Loudoun County Public Schools - 2021
- Teacher of the Year - Special Education Advisory Committee - 2019
- Best of Loudoun Performing Arts Group - Loudoun Times Mirror - 2019
- Mainstage Invitation to Perform at the International Thespian Festival Mainstage with “Bright Star” - 2019
- Loudoun County Times Award - Best of Loudoun - 2019
- Volunteer of the Year Award - Educational Theatre Association - 2018
- Outstanding School Award - Educational Theatre Association - 2017
- Inspirational Educator of the Year Award - Educational Theatre Association - 2016
- Virginia Theatre Teacher of the Year - Virginia Thespians - 2016
- Southeastern Theatre Conference Grand Champions - 2016
- Virginia Chapter Select - 2015, 2016, 2017
- Outstanding Achievement in Theatre Award – Educational Theatre Association – 2012 – 2013
- Carroll County Teacher of the Year Finalist – 2012
- Maryland State Thespian Festival Theatre Champions 2012, 2013, 2014
- American High School Theatre Festival Finalist 2009 – 2014
PRODUCTION AWARDS
MAINSTAGE SHOWCASE:
TOP SCENIC DESIGNER: Danny Fortuno
TOP COSTUME DESIGNER: Ginny McGee
TOP MARKETING: Maggie Miller
TOP LIGHTING DESIGNER: Jack Capobianco
TOP SOUND DESIGNER: Zehra Hassan
VIRGINIA THEATRE ASSOCIATION:
2ND HIGHEST OVERALL SCORE: The Trench
TECHNICAL MERIT: The Trench
OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLES: The Trench
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION: The Trench
ALL STATE CAST: AJ Ruhnke
BEST ACTOR: Olivia McMahon, Kiara Figueroa-Oliveira, Hannah Adnan (Due to the nature of The Trench, 3 actors received the "Best Actor" Award)
VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE:
TOP ACTOR (4C REGIONALS): AJ Ruhnke
TOP ACTOR (4C REGIONALS): Olivia McMahon
TOP ACTOR (4C SUPER REGIONALS): AJ Ruhnke
STANDOUT ACTOR (CLASS 4): AJ Ruhnke
VIRGINIA THESPIAN FESTIVAL SUPERIORS:
MUSICAL THEATRE SOLO: Emily Gruessing
MUSICAL THEATRE SOLO: Kaylie Rivers
MUSICAL THEATRE SOLO: Hayley Sutton
MUSICAL THEATRE SOLO: Olivia McMahon
MUSICAL THEATRE SOLO: Annabelle Monte
MUSICAL THEATRE SOLO: Kaia Greene
MUSICAL THEATRE SOLO: Mariah Waters
MUSICAL THEATRE DUET: Kaylie Rivers and Annabelle Monte
MUSICAL THEATRE GROUP: Kaia Greene, Olivia McMahon, Julia Freeman, Mariah Waters, Hayley Sutton, D'Amora Brunson
MUSICAL THEATRE DANCE: Catie Cantwell, Hannah Tyson
MONOLOGUE: Kailyn Fetterman
MONOLOGUE: Julia Freeman
MONOLOGUE: Sanjana Rao
MONOLOGUE: AJ Ruhnke
MONOLOGUE: Jahnavi Haryani
MONOLOGUE: Jaden Thomas
MONOLOGUE: Olivia McMahon
MONOLOGUE: Emily Gruessing
MONOLOGUE: Kiara Figueroa-Oliveira
ACTING DUET: AJ Ruhnke, Emily Gruessing
ACTING DUET: Kaia Greene, Olivia McMahon
ACTING DUET: Jack Capobianco, Olivia Helfen
ACTING GROUP: Kaia Greene, Olivia McMahon, Mariah Waters
COSTUME CONSTRUCTION: Ginny McGee
COSTUME DESIGN: Ginny McGee
LIGHTING DESIGN: Jack Capobianco
SCENIC DESIGN: Danny Fortuno
SCENIC DESIGN: Claire Wood
SOUND DESIGN: Zehra Hassan
STAGE MANAGEMENT: Tapthi Arun
STAGE MANAGEMENT: Omaiza Fatima
MARKETING: Maggie Miller
VIRGINIA THESPIAN SCHOLARSHIPS:
ACTING SCHOLARSHIP: Julia Freeman
TECHNICAL THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP: Jack Capobianco
2023 MAINSTAGE SHOWCASE - VIRGINIA THESPIANS
The Trench
2023 THESPY SHOWCASE - VIRGINIA THESPIANS
MUSICAL THEATRE SOLO: Kaylie Rivers
MUSICAL THEATRE GROUP: Kaia Greene, Olivia McMahon, Julia Freeman, Mariah Waters, Hayley Sutton, D'Amora Brunson
MUSICAL THEATRE DANCE: Catie Cantwell, Hannah Tyson
MONOLOGUE: Sanjana Rao
COSTUME CONSTRUCTION: Ginny McGee
SCENIC DESIGN: Danny Fortuno
SOUND DESIGN: Zehra Hassan
STAGE MANAGEMENT: Omaiza Fatima
ONE ACT - VIRGINIA THESPIANS
PARTICIPATION: The Trench
OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL EXECUTION: The Trench
OUTSTANDING PHYSICAL MOVEMENT: The Trench
CREATIVE STAGING: The Trench
BEST PERFORMANCE: AJ Ruhnke
BEST PERFORMANCE: Emily Gruessing
TOP ACTOR IN CONFERENCE: Olivia McMahon, Kiara Figueroa-Oliveira, Hannah Adnan (Due to the nature of The Trench, 3 actors received the "Top Actor in Conference Award")
2021 - 2022 AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
2022 INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN EXCELLENCE AWARDS
COSTUME DESIGN: Ginny McGee
2022 INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN SUPERIORS
MUSICAL THEATRE SOLO: Ananya Akula
MONOLOGUE: JULIA FREEMAN
COSTUME DESIGN: Ginny McGee
LIGHTING DESIGN: Jack Capobianco
MARKETING: Kylie Miller
2022 INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN SCHOLARSHIPS
GRACE KELLY TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP: Ginny McGee
International Thespian Festival 2019
Virginia State Thespian Festival 2019
International Thespian Festival 2018
Virginia State Thespian Festival 2018
NCA Cappies 2018
Cappies, NCA - Spring 2018 "Mary Poppins"
Virginia State Thespian Awards - State Festival 2018
National Youth Arts Award - Summer 2017
Virginia State Thespian Awards - State Festival 2017
Virginia Theatre Association Fall 2016
Virginia State Thespian Awards – State Festival 2016
Forensics Team – Rock Ridge High School – 2015
Forensics Team 2nd Place Conference, 3 State Finalists - 2015
National Individual Events State Finalists, 4 - 2015
Forensics Team – Rock Ridge High School – 2015
Virginia State Thespian Awards – State Festival 2015
“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” – National Cappies - Rock Ridge High School - Fall 2014
“The Trench” – A National Premiere at the Maryland Thespian Festival 2014
1 Act State Champion, Best Sets, Best Staging, Best Play, Best sound, Best Ensemble, Best Vocal Work, Best Props, Best Costumes, Best Truth in World, Best Hair and Make-Up
“Tarzan” – A State Premiere, Baltimore Cappies 2013
Best Musical 2012 – 2013, Best Sets, Best Special FX, Best Costumes, Best Lighting, Best Sound, Best Female Dancer, Best Female Vocalist, Best Marketing and Publicity, Best Lead Actress, Best Ensemble, Best Male Dancer, Best Make-up, Best Props, Best Stage Crew
“And” - Maryland State Thespian Festival in 2013
State Champion, Best Play, Best Staging, Best Sets, Best Lighting, Best Sound, Best Ensemble, Best Vocal Work, Best Props, Best Costumes, Best Hair and Make-up
“A Christmas Carol” – Original Production, Baltimore Cappies 2012
Best Play, Best Costumes, Best Props and Special Fx, Best Sets, Best Supporting Actor
“War Letters” - Maryland State Thespian Festival in 2012
1 Act State Champion, Best Ensemble, Best Staging, Best Sets, Best Lighting, Best Sound, Best Overall Production
“Peter Pan” - The Baltimore Cappies 2011
Best Costumes, Best Comic Actor in a Play, Best Ensemble in a Play
“Looking the Other Way”- Original Production – Maryland State Thespian Festival 2011
Best Ensemble, Best Truth in World, Best Staging, Best sound,Best Lighting, Outstanding Play
“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” - The Baltimore Cappies 2010
Best Play for the 2009 – 2010 Season, Best Sound, Best Sets, Best Costumes, Best Make-Up, Best Props and Special FX, Creativity, Best Stage Crew, Best Comic Actress, Best Comic Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Lead Actress,
“Zoo Story” – McDaniel College 2007- Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
2008 Society of Stage Director and Choreographers National Directing Scholarship Award Runner-up
Selection to present “Zoo Story” at the 2008 KCACTF Fringe Festival
MAINSTAGE SHOWCASE:
TOP SCENIC DESIGNER: Danny Fortuno
TOP COSTUME DESIGNER: Ginny McGee
TOP MARKETING: Maggie Miller
TOP LIGHTING DESIGNER: Jack Capobianco
TOP SOUND DESIGNER: Zehra Hassan
VIRGINIA THEATRE ASSOCIATION:
2ND HIGHEST OVERALL SCORE: The Trench
TECHNICAL MERIT: The Trench
OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLES: The Trench
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION: The Trench
ALL STATE CAST: AJ Ruhnke
BEST ACTOR: Olivia McMahon, Kiara Figueroa-Oliveira, Hannah Adnan (Due to the nature of The Trench, 3 actors received the "Best Actor" Award)
VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE:
TOP ACTOR (4C REGIONALS): AJ Ruhnke
TOP ACTOR (4C REGIONALS): Olivia McMahon
TOP ACTOR (4C SUPER REGIONALS): AJ Ruhnke
STANDOUT ACTOR (CLASS 4): AJ Ruhnke
VIRGINIA THESPIAN FESTIVAL SUPERIORS:
MUSICAL THEATRE SOLO: Emily Gruessing
MUSICAL THEATRE SOLO: Kaylie Rivers
MUSICAL THEATRE SOLO: Hayley Sutton
MUSICAL THEATRE SOLO: Olivia McMahon
MUSICAL THEATRE SOLO: Annabelle Monte
MUSICAL THEATRE SOLO: Kaia Greene
MUSICAL THEATRE SOLO: Mariah Waters
MUSICAL THEATRE DUET: Kaylie Rivers and Annabelle Monte
MUSICAL THEATRE GROUP: Kaia Greene, Olivia McMahon, Julia Freeman, Mariah Waters, Hayley Sutton, D'Amora Brunson
MUSICAL THEATRE DANCE: Catie Cantwell, Hannah Tyson
MONOLOGUE: Kailyn Fetterman
MONOLOGUE: Julia Freeman
MONOLOGUE: Sanjana Rao
MONOLOGUE: AJ Ruhnke
MONOLOGUE: Jahnavi Haryani
MONOLOGUE: Jaden Thomas
MONOLOGUE: Olivia McMahon
MONOLOGUE: Emily Gruessing
MONOLOGUE: Kiara Figueroa-Oliveira
ACTING DUET: AJ Ruhnke, Emily Gruessing
ACTING DUET: Kaia Greene, Olivia McMahon
ACTING DUET: Jack Capobianco, Olivia Helfen
ACTING GROUP: Kaia Greene, Olivia McMahon, Mariah Waters
COSTUME CONSTRUCTION: Ginny McGee
COSTUME DESIGN: Ginny McGee
LIGHTING DESIGN: Jack Capobianco
SCENIC DESIGN: Danny Fortuno
SCENIC DESIGN: Claire Wood
SOUND DESIGN: Zehra Hassan
STAGE MANAGEMENT: Tapthi Arun
STAGE MANAGEMENT: Omaiza Fatima
MARKETING: Maggie Miller
VIRGINIA THESPIAN SCHOLARSHIPS:
ACTING SCHOLARSHIP: Julia Freeman
TECHNICAL THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP: Jack Capobianco
2023 MAINSTAGE SHOWCASE - VIRGINIA THESPIANS
The Trench
2023 THESPY SHOWCASE - VIRGINIA THESPIANS
MUSICAL THEATRE SOLO: Kaylie Rivers
MUSICAL THEATRE GROUP: Kaia Greene, Olivia McMahon, Julia Freeman, Mariah Waters, Hayley Sutton, D'Amora Brunson
MUSICAL THEATRE DANCE: Catie Cantwell, Hannah Tyson
MONOLOGUE: Sanjana Rao
COSTUME CONSTRUCTION: Ginny McGee
SCENIC DESIGN: Danny Fortuno
SOUND DESIGN: Zehra Hassan
STAGE MANAGEMENT: Omaiza Fatima
ONE ACT - VIRGINIA THESPIANS
PARTICIPATION: The Trench
OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL EXECUTION: The Trench
OUTSTANDING PHYSICAL MOVEMENT: The Trench
CREATIVE STAGING: The Trench
BEST PERFORMANCE: AJ Ruhnke
BEST PERFORMANCE: Emily Gruessing
TOP ACTOR IN CONFERENCE: Olivia McMahon, Kiara Figueroa-Oliveira, Hannah Adnan (Due to the nature of The Trench, 3 actors received the "Top Actor in Conference Award")
2021 - 2022 AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
2022 INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN EXCELLENCE AWARDS
COSTUME DESIGN: Ginny McGee
2022 INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN SUPERIORS
MUSICAL THEATRE SOLO: Ananya Akula
MONOLOGUE: JULIA FREEMAN
COSTUME DESIGN: Ginny McGee
LIGHTING DESIGN: Jack Capobianco
MARKETING: Kylie Miller
2022 INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN SCHOLARSHIPS
GRACE KELLY TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP: Ginny McGee
International Thespian Festival 2019
- 16 Superior rated students
- 3 Individual Event Mainstage Showcases
- 2 Scholarship Recipients
Virginia State Thespian Festival 2019
- 32 Superior rated Students
- 3 Scholarship Recipients
- 3 Individual Event Mainstage Showcases
International Thespian Festival 2018
- 12 Superior rated students
- 2 Individual Event Mainstage Showcases
- 1 Scholarship Recipients
Virginia State Thespian Festival 2018
- 45 Superior rated Students
- 2 Scholarship Recipients
- 2 Individual Event Mainstage Showcases
NCA Cappies 2018
- 7 Nominations
- 3 Winners including - Scenic Design, Stage Management, Featured Actress
Cappies, NCA - Spring 2018 "Mary Poppins"
- Best Scenic Design
- Best Stage Management
- Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Crystal Claros
Virginia State Thespian Awards - State Festival 2018
- 54 Students earned ratings of Superior in Acting, Musical Theatre or Technical Theatre
- 1 Scholarship Awarded for Technical Design
- 3 Students Chosen for State Showcase
- One Act "Aida" Chosen as Chapter Select to represent the state of Virginia at the International Thespian Festival
National Youth Arts Award - Summer 2017
- 16 Awards for the Productions of "Ghost the Musical" and "Tarzan"
Virginia State Thespian Awards - State Festival 2017
- 36 Students earned ratings of superior in Acting, Musical Theatre or Technical Theatre
- 2 Scholarships Awarded for Technical Theatre and Educational Theatre
- 2 Students Chosen for State Showcase
- One Act "The Very Grey Matter of Edward Blank" chosen as Chapter Select to represent VA at ITF
Virginia Theatre Association Fall 2016
- Best Costumes
- Best Technical Direction
- Best Sound Design
- Best Ensemble
- Runner - Up - Represent VA at SETC
Virginia State Thespian Awards – State Festival 2016
- 21 Students earned ratings of Superior in Acting, Musical Theatre and Technical Theatre
- Awarded 2 Scholarships for performance
- 5 Students chosen for State Showcase
- One Act Chosen as Chapter Select to represent the state of Virginia at the International Thespian Festival
Forensics Team – Rock Ridge High School – 2015
- Placed 2nd at Conference with all team members advancing to regionals.
- Placed 4th at Regionals with Duo Humorous and Poetry advancing to states
Forensics Team 2nd Place Conference, 3 State Finalists - 2015
National Individual Events State Finalists, 4 - 2015
Forensics Team – Rock Ridge High School – 2015
- Placed 2nd at Conference with all team members advancing to regional.
- Placed 4th at Regional with Duo Humorous and Poetry advancing to states
Virginia State Thespian Awards – State Festival 2015
- Four students rated Superior, 2 in Acting, 1 in stage management and 1 in Costume. Less than 5% of the students attending were rated superior, but 80% of our students received a rating of superior.
“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” – National Cappies - Rock Ridge High School - Fall 2014
- Critic Choices for the following categories – Best Play, Best Sets, Best Costumes, Best Props, Best Special FX, Best Lighting, Creativity, Best Stage Crew, Best Hair and Make-Up, Best Lead Male Actor, Best Female Lead Actress, Best Supporting Lead Actress, Best Supporting Lead Actor, Best Ensemble, Best Featured Actor, Best Featured Actress
“The Trench” – A National Premiere at the Maryland Thespian Festival 2014
1 Act State Champion, Best Sets, Best Staging, Best Play, Best sound, Best Ensemble, Best Vocal Work, Best Props, Best Costumes, Best Truth in World, Best Hair and Make-Up
“Tarzan” – A State Premiere, Baltimore Cappies 2013
Best Musical 2012 – 2013, Best Sets, Best Special FX, Best Costumes, Best Lighting, Best Sound, Best Female Dancer, Best Female Vocalist, Best Marketing and Publicity, Best Lead Actress, Best Ensemble, Best Male Dancer, Best Make-up, Best Props, Best Stage Crew
“And” - Maryland State Thespian Festival in 2013
State Champion, Best Play, Best Staging, Best Sets, Best Lighting, Best Sound, Best Ensemble, Best Vocal Work, Best Props, Best Costumes, Best Hair and Make-up
“A Christmas Carol” – Original Production, Baltimore Cappies 2012
Best Play, Best Costumes, Best Props and Special Fx, Best Sets, Best Supporting Actor
“War Letters” - Maryland State Thespian Festival in 2012
1 Act State Champion, Best Ensemble, Best Staging, Best Sets, Best Lighting, Best Sound, Best Overall Production
“Peter Pan” - The Baltimore Cappies 2011
Best Costumes, Best Comic Actor in a Play, Best Ensemble in a Play
“Looking the Other Way”- Original Production – Maryland State Thespian Festival 2011
Best Ensemble, Best Truth in World, Best Staging, Best sound,Best Lighting, Outstanding Play
“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” - The Baltimore Cappies 2010
Best Play for the 2009 – 2010 Season, Best Sound, Best Sets, Best Costumes, Best Make-Up, Best Props and Special FX, Creativity, Best Stage Crew, Best Comic Actress, Best Comic Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Lead Actress,
“Zoo Story” – McDaniel College 2007- Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
2008 Society of Stage Director and Choreographers National Directing Scholarship Award Runner-up
Selection to present “Zoo Story” at the 2008 KCACTF Fringe Festival