MASON — After spending a month among the stars in Hollywood, 18-year-old Danielle Withers has her sights set on the lights of Broadway.

        Ms. Withers, who graduated in June from Mason High School, performed in three productions during her stint in California with 10 other students who were given scholarships for the Hollywood Summer Stock National Youth Program.

Performing in The Wiz earlier this year are (from left) Andrew Mackzum, Danielle Withers, matt Buttram, Daniel Story and Will Burress. (Enquirer file photo) | ZOOM |

        The chosen students were Cappies (Critics And Awards Program) winners from across the country.

        Ms. Withers took honors as best lead actress in a musical for her performance in The Wiz at Mason High in the Greater Cincinnati Cappies awards.

        Michael Sherman of St. Xavier High School received honors as best lead actor in a musical at the year-end awards. He joined Ms. Withers for the program in California.

        Her confidence boosted by her time in Hollywood, where she met celebrities such as actor Leonardo DiCaprio, Ms. Withers heads off this week to Howard University in Washington.

        But before too long, she hopes to see her name on Broadway.

        “Everyone should watch out for me because I'm on my way,” she said, adding: “Danielle Withers is going to be a household name in a couple years.”

        Ms. Withers is no stranger to Washington. Before her trip to Hollywood, Ms. Withers sang for a packed house at the Kennedy Center and got a standing ovation for her performance during a national Cappies show early in the summer.

        “It was amazing,” said Ms. Withers, who didn't get to see her own standing ovation because she “couldn't see anything because the lights were so bright.”

        The Greater Cincinnati chapter of Cappies was initiated early this year by parents. One of the local founders, Susan Grubbs of Liberty Township, said it is expected to expand to as many as 20 Tristate schools for the upcoming school year. The national organization is headquartered in Virginia.

        This past school year, local high school students took turns reviewing the theatrical productions of 10 area schools. Honors were handed out in May in a ceremony like the Tony Awards, including performances of excerpts from shows and with students in formal attire.

        Ms. Grubbs characterized Ms. Withers as a “colossal talent” and said Cappies is helping draw attention to school performing arts programs and their young stars.

        “It helps the talented kids to get recognized,” she said. “It offers so much for so many kids.”

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