CAPA MARQUEE AWARDS WEBSITE LINK
Jonathan Alder High School’s theatre program made an unforgettable debut at the 2025 CAPA Marquee Awards with its production of Hadestown: Teen Edition, marking the district’s first-ever participation in the regional competition—and it was a year to remember. With a record-breaking 26 schools participating, this was the largest season in the program’s history.
“I am so immensely proud of the cast, crew, and anyone who was involved in making this musical,” said Nicolas Mayes, Vocal Music Director at Jonathan Alder High and Junior High School. “It was evident from the very beginning, but especially when we premiered the show, that love and passion led the way.”
CAPA judges, assigned to attend performances at random, scored shows based on a standardized rubric. Individual performers were also evaluated for potential award recognition. When nominations were announced in mid-April, JAHS made a powerful impression.
Four Jonathan Alder students were named semi-finalists in the prestigious Best Actor/Actress categories, placing them among the Top 30 student performers in central Ohio:
Joel Mitchell – Best Actor (Orpheus)
Jason Dietry – Best Actor (Hermes)
Samantha Pauly – Best Actress (Eurydice)
Claire Freyhof – Best Actress (Persephone)
The production also earned major program-wide honors, winning three out of five major awards for which it was nominated:
Outstanding Technical Execution – Kyra Neeley (Winner)
Outstanding Ensemble – Led by Nate Eudaily (Winner)
Best Direction – Nicolas Mayes (Winner)
Outstanding Dance Execution – Nominee
Best Musical Production – Nominee (Competing with New Albany, Olentangy, Eastmoor Academy, and Marysville)
As a nominee for Best Musical Production, the cast was invited to perform the showstopping number “Wait For Me” during the Marquee Awards ceremony—highlighting JAHS on a prestigious stage in front of an audience of peers, professionals, and the broader community.
Four students — Jason Dietry, Gavin-Lee Hawkins, Sarah Malone, and Samantha Pauly — were also selected to perform in the Marquee Ensemble, a group composed of top high school talent from across the region who performed throughout the evening.
“It was an unforgettable season,” added Mayes, “and I am so excited and ready to start the next one!”
Capping off the night, students and staff walked the red carpet and celebrated what is sure to be a defining moment in the history of Jonathan Alder theatre.
Congratulations to the entire cast and crew on an outstanding first year of Marquee participation!