(RED BANK, NJ) -- The 2024 Basie Awards, the annual celebration of Monmouth County high school theatre, will take place on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at the historic Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank.
Now in its 19th year, the Basie Awards program is modeled after the TONY™ Awards and evaluates musical and drama productions in high schools throughout Monmouth County. A rubric is used to assess performance in 25+ categories, recognizing excellence in everything from acting and directing to set and costume design, choreography, lighting, and orchestra.
“This year the Basie Awards shines a light on all that make a production happen both on and off the stage,” says Samantha Giustiniani, Vice President, Education and Outreach, Count Basie Center for the Arts. “We are excited to celebrate and uplift our participating schools at this year’s ceremony and once again look forward to one of the biggest nights of the year at the Basie Center.”
Join them as we celebrate the very best in Monmouth County high school theatre, featuring productions from select schools, the presentation of the annual Lifetime Achievement award, and – of course – winners and nominees from more than 50 high school dramatic and musical productions.
Tickets for this year’s presentation are available for purchase online, at the Basie Center box office or via phone at 732-842-9000. Count Basie Center for the Arts is located at 99 Monmouth Street in Red Bank, New Jersey.
This year, 22 comedies / dramas and 26 musicals were evaluated by the Basie Awards nomination committee, producing nominations in the following categories:
DRAMAS & COMEDIES
CAROLE MALIK AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN OF A PLAY
CATHERINE CLEARY (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE SOMEWHAT TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD)
JACKIE FASANO + NICOLE BLODGETT (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW)
KATHRYN MASLAK (RANNEY SCHOOL, SHE KILLS MONSTERS)
LAURA MAZZA (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, THE REVENGE OF THE SPACE PANDAS)
MAGGIE HAVENS + LUCY KENNEDY (TRINITY HALL, THE LEARNED LADIES)
OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN OF A PLAY
ASHLEY BASILE (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW)
KATHERINE CALAMUSA + GRACE SULLIVAN (TRINITY HALL, THE LEARNED LADIES)
ALEX DOHAN (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, ALMOST, MAINE)
DAVE NIEMIEROWSKI (COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, LEND ME A TENOR)
ROBERT RUTT (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM)
OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN OF A PLAY
ANTHONY ABBOUD (RANNEY SCHOOL, SHE KILLS MONSTERS)
ASHLEY HOUCK (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW)
CONNOR NARDIELLO + LOGAN JAVIER (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE)
ROBERT RUTT (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM)
GRACE SULLIVAN (TRINITY HALL, THE LEARNED LADIES)
OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY
CALLIE BARRETT (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM)
GABI LEVINE (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, ALMOST, MAINE)
ELIZABETH MATTHEWS (MONMOUTH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, SHE KILLS MONSTERS)
FRANCESCA RANUCCI (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM)
GRACE VOORHEES (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, RUMORS)
HONORABLE MENTIONS:MIA BRAMLEY (MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, DEATH BY DESSERT)
KAYLA BROWN (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, MIDSUMMER/JERSEY)
EMILY COOKE (MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL, RUMORS)
OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY
AVA BRUNO (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE SOMEWHAT TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD)
QUINN CHAPMAN (MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, DEATH BY DESSERT)
ALLISON DASSLER (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE SOMEWHAT TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD)
PEYTON KANASKA (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, PUFFS)
CONNOR PASZKIEWICZ (MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL, RUMORS)
HONORABLE MENTIONS:BRIANNA MARTINEZ (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, PUFFS)
ALTAN YALAMA (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, THE REVENGE OF THE SPACE PANDAS)
OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA
KATIE BAUER (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LION, THE WITCH, & THE WARDROBE)
ELEANOR DOWNEY (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, DRACULA)
MORDEKAI FELICIANO (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, DRACULA)
JULIANA HARARY (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY)
EMILY TURNER (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, DRACULA)
HONORABLE MENTIONS:ROMY GRAU-GOPALA (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW)
ANNIE KISSINGER (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY)
OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA
MOLLY BARTRAM (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY)
JULIAN BIBB (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, DRACULA)
SEAN BUSK (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW)
AIDAN CARSCADDEN (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LION, THE WITCH, & THE WARDROBE)
JORDYN JAVARUSKI (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY)
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY
GEMMA FORMISANO (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE SOMEWHAT TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD)
VERONICA GIRANDOLA (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, ALMOST MAINE)
ALEXANDRA RISI (COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, LEND ME A TENOR)
KATE SCHWEIKERT (TRINITY HALL, THE LEARNED LADIES)
PARSVI SHAH (RANNEY SCHOOL, SHE KILLS MONSTERS)
HONORABLE MENTIONS:DELANEY CORRIGAN (TRINITY HALL, THE LEARNED LADIES)
AVA DOHAN (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, ALMOST MAINE)
LIZA MADORE (COMMUNICATIONS HIGH SCHOOL, CLUE)
ALICE GREGORY (COLLIER HIGH SCHOOL, ALMOST, MAINE)
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY
FRANKIE DIGE (COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, LEND ME A TENOR)
DANIEL LOGES (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, ALMOST MAINE)
CHRISTIAN STONE (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE SOMEWHAT TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD)
MICHAEL UZZI (RANNEY SCHOOL, SHE KILLS MONSTERS)
LUCAS WILSON (TRINITY HALL, THE LEARNED LADIES)
HONORABLE MENTIONS:JAY FIELDING (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, THE REVENGE OF THE SPACE PANDAS)
JASON LAVERY (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, MIDSUMMER/JERSEY)
ELLIOT MAHER (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, MIDSUMMER/JERSEY)
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA
NICOLE DIBLASI (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LION, THE WITCH, & THE WARDROBE)
CAROLINE LIEDEL (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LION, THE WITCH, & THE WARDROBE)
MICHELA MUNGIELLO (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, 12 ANGRY JURORS)
ANNIKA RAJ (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LION, THE WITCH, & THE WARDROBE)
BROOKE SLISHINSKI (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, DRACULA)
HONORABLE MENTION:CAROLINE LANG (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW)
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA
ROCCO IMPREVEDUTO (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LION, THE WITCH, & THE WARDROBE)
LOUIS RAMIREZ (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY)
BRYAN REIMERTZ (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY)
SIMON ROCHE (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, 12 ANGRY JURORS)
LIAM SMITH (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW)
HONORABLE MENTIONS:COOPER BILSLAND (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LION, THE WITCH, & THE WARDROBE)
JAKE FREDERICKS (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW)
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY
HAILEY BLUM (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE SOMEWHAT TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD)
LORRAINE LOMBARDO (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE SOMEWHAT TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD)
MAEBH MCCARTHY (TRINITY HALL, THE LEARNED LADIES)
SARAH MOSER (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM)
JOY OGUNSAKIN (TRINITY HALL, THE LEARNED LADIES)
HONORABLE MENTIONS:LINDSAY BERLINER (RANNEY SCHOOL, SHE KILLS MONSTERS)
EMILY RAE JOHNS (TRINITY HALL, THE LEARNED LADIES)
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY
JUSTIN ATNES (RANNEY SCHOOL, SHE KILLS MONSTERS)
CAMERON LIEB (MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, DEATH BY DESSERT)
MICHAEL MAKAR (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM)
CONNOR COLSON (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE SOMEWHAT TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD)
LUCAS RIZZUTO CANERO (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, PUFFS)
HONORABLE MENTION:MATTHEW GOTTFRIED (MONMOUTH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, SHE KILLS MONSTERS)
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA
GEORGIA ATTARDI (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE)
JACQUELINE FARKAS (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, 12 ANGRY JURORS)
JESSICA HEITMANN (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY)
KATIANA PARMAN (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, DRACULA)
GABRIELA POSTIGO (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LION, THE WITCH, & THE WARDROBE)
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA
COLE BARTOLOTTI (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY)
JACK DOWNEY (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, DRACULA)
JAMES NARDIELLO (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE)
ANDREW POGGI (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, 12 ANGRY JURORS)
EMMETT SMITHOUSER (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, 12 ANGRY JURORS)
OUTSTANDING COMPANY IN A COMEDY
COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, LEND ME A TENOR
MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, DEATH BY DESSERT
MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, THE REVENGE OF THE SPACE PANDAS
RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE SOMEWHAT TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD
TRINITY HALL, THE LEARNED LADIES
HONORABLE MENTIONS:COMMUNICATIONS HIGH SCHOOL, CLUE
FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, GRANDMOTHER TALES
NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, RUMORS
OUTSTANDING COMPANY IN A DRAMA
HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LION, THE WITCH, & THE WARDROBE
MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY
RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, DRACULA
RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW
JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, 12 ANGRY JURORS
HONORABLE MENTION:CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE
OUTSTANDING STAGE + TECH CREW OF A PLAY
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE
COMMUNICATIONS HIGH SCHOOL, CLUE
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, ALMOST MAINE
MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, THE REVENGE OF THE SPACE PANDAS
RANNEY SCHOOL, SHE KILLS MONSTERS
HONORABLE MENTIONS:COLLIER HIGH SCHOOL, ALMOST, MAINE
MONMOUTH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, SHE KILLS MONSTERS
RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A PLAY
AMANDA FARIA (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY)
ALANA HERRON (COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, LEND ME A TENOR)
KATHRYN MASLAK (RANNEY SCHOOL, SHE KILLS MONSTERS)
ELLEN PHILLIPS (TRINITY HALL, THE LEARNED LADIES)
GIVANNA ROBBINS + ROXANA BELLAMY (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, ALMOST MAINE)
KASIANN SWEENEY (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE SOMEWHAT TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD)
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, LEND ME A TENOR
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, ALMOST MAINE
RANNEY SCHOOL, SHE KILLS MONSTERS
RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE SOMEWHAT TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD
TRINITY HALL, THE LEARNED LADIES
MUSICALS
CAROLE MALIK AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
CATHERINE CLEARY (FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE WOMEN)
KELLY GEMELLARO ( RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY)
LAURA MAZZA (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, THE WEDDING SINGER)
JACQUELINE REVIER (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, SHREK)
MELANIE TAYLOR (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY)
OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
ASHLEY BASILE (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, MAMMA MIA!)
KEVIN GUNTHER (FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE WOMEN)
AMANDA LOGUIRATO (MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST)
KERRY MCBRIDE + ADAM PETRIELLA (MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, INTO THE WOODS)
GLEN SWINDELL (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, LES MISÉRABLES)
OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
ANDREW D’AGOSTINO (ST. ROSE HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS)
BOBBI RENE FULLERTON (MONMOUTH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, GODSPELL)
CONNOR NARDIELLO (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL)
JUSTIN CHRISTOPHER ODON (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, LES MISÉRABLES)
KYLE SANTOPADRE (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY)
OUTSTANDING SMALL MUSIC ENSEMBLE
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL
FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE WOMEN
HIGH TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL, ALL SHOOK UP
RANNEY SCHOOL, MEAN GIRLS
TRINITY HALL, FIREBRINGER
OUTSTANDING MIXED STUDENT + ADULT ORCHESTRA
COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
HENRY HUDSON REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, SHREK
MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY
OUTSTANDING ALL STUDENT ORCHESTRA
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, BYE BYE BIRDIE
HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE WOMEN
LONG BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL, MAMMA MIA!
MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, THE WEDDING SINGER
NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, LES MISÉRABLES
AMY GIINTHER FREDERICKS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DIRECTION
MELODY BLASENHEIM (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY)
VICTORIA BORELLI (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, MAMMA MIA!)
ERIC GROSS (FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE WOMEN)
PETER ISHERWOOD (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN)
ERIN RADVANSKI (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, LES MISÉRABLES)
OUTSTANDING FEATURED ENSEMBLE GROUP
THE GANGSTERS (COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE)
SWEET APPLE TEENS (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, BYE BYE BIRDIE)
FAIRYTALE CREATURES (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, SHREK)
THE PLASTICS (RANNEY SCHOOL, MEAN GIRLS)
RENO’S ANGELS (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, ANYTHING GOES)
HONORABLE MENTIONS:LADIES IN WAITING (KEANSBURG HIGH SCHOOL, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS)
DISCIPLES (MONMOUTH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, GODSPELL)
OUTSTANDING CHORUS IN A MUSICAL
COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, THE WEDDING SINGER
RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY
NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, LES MISÉRABLES
HONORABLE MENTIONS:CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL
LONG BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL, MAMMA MIA!
RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, MAMMA MIA!
OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY
DONNA BATTAGLIA (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, ANYTHING GOES)
ARIELLE BOUSANTI + GABBY GAMEL (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, THE WEDDING SINGER)
ARIANA CENTAMORE (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, BYE BYE BIRDIE)
KELLY GEMELLARO (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY)
TARA MAHONEY (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN)
OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL
MOLLY BARTRAM (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN)
LINDSAY BERLINER (RANNEY SCHOOL, MEAN GIRLS)
NATALIE BRIGGS (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, BYE BYE BIRDIE)
ESTHER FOSU (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, BETWEEN THE LINES)
MAEBH MCCARTHY (TRINITY HALL, FIREBRINGER)
HONORABLE MENTIONS:JACQUELINE FARKAS (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, EMMA! A POP MUSICAL)
SIENNA HOOK (MONMOUTH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, GODSPELL)
VIKTOR SQUICCIARINI (KEANSBURG HIGH SCHOOL, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS)
OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL
VINCENT ARMENTI (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL)
COLTEN CARUSO (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN)
BRAD CHAPMAN (MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, INTO THE WOODS)
MAUREEN DONOVAN (TRINITY HALL, FIREBRINGER)
CAMERON LIEB (MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, INTO THE WOODS)
HONORABLE MENTIONS:ANDREW GUZMAN (LONG BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL, MAMMA MIA!)
DEVIN PASQUELLA (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, LES MISÉRABLES)
IZEAH WHITLEY (MONMOUTH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, GODSPELL)
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL
KATIE BAUER (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE WOMEN)
ELLE BRANDT (RANNEY SCHOOL, MEAN GIRLS)
JESSICA HEITMANN (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN)
ELIZABETH PODLASKI (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, LES MISÉRABLES)
SHAIN STANLEY (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, BYE BYE BIRDIE)
HONORABLE MENTIONS:ARIA CARPENTER (KEYPORT HIGH SCHOOL, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL)
LYDIA SMITH (HENRY HUDSON REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE)
AVA USATIN (HIGH TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL, ALL SHOOK UP)
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL
JAMES NARDIELLO (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL)
BRYAN REIMERTZ (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN)
JOSEPH SCIORTINO (RANNEY SCHOOL, MEAN GIRLS)
JP SHIMKUS (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL)
LUCAS WILSON (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, MAMMA MIA!)
HONORABLE MENTIONS:JON MARTENS (RANNEY SCHOOL, MEAN GIRLS)
PURVIS WHITE (LONG BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL, MAMMA MIA!)
COOPER WOJTAK (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY)
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL
HAILEY BLUM (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, ANYTHING GOES)
ISABELLA CHAGARES (RANNEY SCHOOL, MEAN GIRLS)
CAILIN HOLLEY (FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE WOMEN)
GABRIELLA LOBOSCO (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY)
RIYA PAWAR (MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST)
HONORABLE MENTIONS:SOFIA CAMMARANO (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, EMMA! A POP MUSICAL)
AVA ROMANO (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, THE WEDDING SINGER)
SHANNON WHITE (ST. ROSE HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS)
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL
QUINN CHAPMAN (MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, INTO THE WOODS)
ELLIOT MAHER (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, SHREK)
LUCAS RIZZUTO CANERO (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, BETWEEN THE LINES)
CHRISTIAN STONE (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, ANYTHING GOES)
RJ VANDENBROUCK (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY)
HONORABLE MENTIONS:LUCENDER JOHN (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, LES MISÉRABLES)
AEDAN LIRANZO (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, THE WEDDING SINGER)
DANIEL LOGES (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, BYE BYE BIRDIE)
OUTSTANDING STAGE + TECH CREW OF A MUSICAL
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL
KEYPORT HIGH SCHOOL, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL
MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY
JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, EMMA! A POP MUSICAL
HONORABLE MENTIONS:HENRY HUDSON REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, BYE BYE BIRDIE
ST. ROSE HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL
ALEXIS KOZAK (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, THE WEDDING SINGER)
JEANNE MONTANO (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY)
MADDI SCHILLE (MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, INTO THE WOODS)
KASIANN SWEENEY (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, ANYTHING GOES)
LINDA WALLING (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, BETWEEN THE LINES)
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, INTO THE WOODS
MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, BETWEEN THE LINES
MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, THE WEDDING SINGER
RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY
RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, ANYTHING GOES
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
This year, the Basie Awards will shine a light on all that happens backstage and behind the scenes – much of which is led by the students themselves. In our continued efforts to celebrate, educate and uplift our participating schools, theyrecognize there are student contributions that do not fit neatly into “eligible nominated categories.” They are excited to share the following new recognitions:
OUTSTANDING STUDENT-LED PRODUCTION
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL
COMMUNICATIONS HIGH SCHOOL, CLUE
HIGH TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL, ALL SHOOK UP
MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, DEATH BY DESSERT
TRINITY HALL, FIREBRINGER
OUTSTANDING STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Several student leaders were nominated by their teachers as having gone above and beyond to lead by example, paving the way for incredible contributions which may not always be seen by the audience and our evaluators. They will reveal and recognize the students onstage on May 22.
Count Basie Center for the Arts is located at 99 Monmouth Street in Red Bank, New Jersey. Tickets for the Basie Awards on May 22nd are $17 and available for purchase online. Doors are at 6:00pm, showtime is 7:00pm.
