Matawan Regional High School's Lucas Rizzuto Canero, who won a Basie for his leading role in the school's production of "Leap Of Faith," performs in the opening number of the 2026 Basie Awards. Photo credit: Count Basie Center for the Arts
(RED BANK, NJ) -- The 21st Annual Basie Awards took place on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at the Count Basie Center for the Arts. The awards honor the best in Monmouth County high school theatre and have become a huge celebration of the arts.
“Once again, the Basie Awards have showcased one of the most vibrant high school theater communities in the state,” said Samantha Giustiniani, Vice President, Education and Outreach, Count Basie Center for the Arts. “The productions our adjudicators reviewed were outstanding, and tonight’s sold-out crowd of students, friends, family, teachers and administrators were treated to the very best in what our region’s theatre community has to offer.”
In addition to celebration local talent, the ‘Basies’ presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to Senator Vin Gopal, whose was honored for his steadfast support of the performing arts and the Count Basie Center itself.
“Senator Gopal is a leader who believes in the power of arts education and in the importance of investing in young people, creativity, and community,” said Adam Philipson, President and CEO, Count Basie Center for the Arts. “The arts are an important part of our lives, and a vital part of a healthy community. And none of the work we do would be possible without advocates like Vin Gopal, who champion the arts by supporting and inspiring those who make it happen.”
In line with the theme of the Count Basie Center’s Centennial Celebration, the program celebrated not only this year’s nominees, but past award winners and students of the Basie Center’s Turner Academy of the Arts – perhaps the next generation of theatre stars.
A total of 53 high school productions were evaluated during the school year, with more than 80 nominees collected across various categories. This year’s Basie Awards winners are as follows:
DRAMAS & COMEDIES
EVALUATORS SPECIAL AWARD: PLAYWRIGHTS OF COMMUNICATIONS HIGH SCHOOL’S LOVE, ESME
CAROLE MALIK AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN OF A PLAY | EMILY KASTER (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, IPHIGENIA IN TAURIS)
OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN OF A PLAY | ROBERT RUTT (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER)
OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN OF A PLAY | ROBERT RUTT (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER)
OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE - COMEDY | ASHLEY MCDONALD (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, CLUE)
OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE - COMEDY | DOMINIC CERRETO (COLLIER SCHOOL, THIS MURDER WAS STAGED)
OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE - DRAMA | DELANEY CORRIGAN (TRINITY HALL, THE BOOK OF WILL)
OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE - DRAMA | JERRY GOLLAND (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, IPHIGENIA IN TAURIS)
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE - COMEDY | MAEVE THURMAN (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER)
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE - COMEDY | LILIAN HAVERTY (HIGH TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL, THIS MURDER WAS STAGED)
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE - DRAMA | MIA PORTELLI (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK)
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE - DRAMA | MAX OSTER (TRINITY HALL, THE BOOK OF WILL)
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE - COMEDY | SIENA MARINO (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER)
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE - COMEDY | EJ YOUNG (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, RUMORS)
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE - DRAMA | EVELYNN KNOX (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, OUR TOWN)
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE - DRAMA | VINCENT ARMENTI (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, OUR TOWN)
OUTSTANDING COMPANY IN A COMEDY | ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, CHRISTMAS ONE ACT FESTIVAL
OUTSTANDING COMPANY IN A DRAMA | MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, IPHIGENIA IN TAURIS
OUTSTANDING STAGE + TECH CREW OF A PLAY | FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, CLUE
OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A PLAY | MARCOS OROZCO (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, OUR TOWN)
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A PLAY | RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER
MUSICALS
THE YVONNE LAMB SCUDIERY INNOVATION AWARD. Honoring educators and school programs who understand the importance access to the arts has, how vital inclusion within it is, and the incredible power of outreach to build community beyond the walls of our theatres and schools. LINDA WALLING, Matawan Regional High School
CAROLE MALIK AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN OF A MUSICAL | ELIZABETH WOOD (RANNEY SCHOOL, ANYTHING GOES)
OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN OF A MUSICAL | KEVIN GUNTHER (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, EVIL DEAD)
OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN OF A MUSICAL | JUSTIN CHRISTOPHER ODON (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD)
OUTSTANDING ALL STUDENT ORCHESTRA | WALL HIGH SCHOOL, INTO THE WOODS
OUTSTANDING MIXED STUDENT + ADULT ORCHESTRA | LONG BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY
AMY GIINTHER FREDERICKS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DIRECTION | WILLIAM ALSAGER + SUSAN CONNERS (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO)
OUTSTANDING FEATURED ENSEMBLE GROUP | FLOTSAM + JETSAM (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, THE LITTLE MERMAID)
OUTSTANDING CHORUS IN A MUSICAL | HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO
OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY | LIZA PERNA DE ALMEIDA (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, GUYS AND DOLLS)
OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE - MUSICAL | HELENA LECOMPTE (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, LEGALLY BLONDE)
OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE - MUSICAL | DAVID BINNS (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO)
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE - MUSICAL | DAKOTA DIEHL (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, EVIL DEAD)
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE - MUSICAL | JONATHAN STUBBS (RANNEY SCHOOL, ANYTHING GOES)
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE - MUSICAL (TIE) | ELENA ASFENDIS (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, GUYS AND DOLLS) and O’HARA KANE-ASSATLY (RANNEY SCHOOL, ANYTHING GOES)
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE - MUSICAL (TIE) | CADEN CREGG-WEDMORE (HIGH TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS) and LUCAS RIZZUTO-CANERO (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, LEAP OF FAITH)
OUTSTANDING STAGE + TECH CREW OF A MUSICAL | RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, THE WIZARD OF OZ
OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL | MICHAEL RYAN (WALL HIGH SCHOOL, INTO THE WOODS)
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL | ALLENTOWN HIGH SCHOOL, BRIGHT STAR
Their Evaluators travel the county visiting towns of every size, but they frequently find something uniquely special in our smaller school communities. These programs define inclusivity: every student finds a place in the cast, and production roles are often led by student-multitaskers who do it all. They consistently remind us that "small" is just a size—not a limit. They are proud to recognize these communities for the magic they create both onstage and off, they remain truly deserving of recognition.
OUTSTANDING SMALL SCHOOL PRODUCTION | HENRY HUDSON REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, BE MORE CHILL
They also recognize there are student contributions that do not fit neatly into "eligible nominated categories." For the past few years they have celebrated programs or schools which are either entirely run by students or an overwhelming majority of the production staff roles are held by students.
OUTSTANDING STUDENT-LED PRODUCTION | BIOTECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL, FREAKY FRIDAY
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD | SENATOR VIN GOPAL
The Count Basie Center for the Arts creates shared educational, artistic, and community experiences that ignite curiosity, understanding, and joy. As a nonprofit organization, the Basie Center is committed to its responsive and inclusive programming, which reflects the diverse spirit and aspirations of its patrons, students, artists, and staff. The Basie Center has hosted an array of world-class artists, including Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band, Bon Jovi, Ariana Grande, John Legend, Brandi Carlile, Tony Bennett, Diana Ross and Ringo Starr. The Basie Center's Turner Academy of the Arts reaches thousands of students yearly, offering a robust slate of performing arts and music classes and experiences.
Count Basie Center programming is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
