The Basie Awards
CELEBRATING 21 YEARS! The Count Basie Center’s annual BASIE AWARDS is modeled after Broadway’s Tony™ Awards, recognizing achievement and growth in Monmouth County’s high school theatre programs. Every year, the Basie’s Education department forms an adjudication committee of theatre lovers, performers and educators, who then attend and score upwards of 50 school productions. Buzz for the Basie Awards kicks off in late April with the announcement of nominees, which recognizes excellence in everything from acting and directing to set and costume design, choreography, lighting, and orchestra. Several weeks later, a capacity crowd packs our historic theater for a not-to-be-missed celebration honoring those who share a passion and understanding of the power of theatre and the arts.
THE BASIE AWARDS continues to be a cost-free program and open to both public and private high schools in Monmouth County!
REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE
We are happy to share the registration form for public and private high schools in Monmouth County for the 2026 BASIE AWARDS season!
We cannot wait to see the titles you are producing this year, and we are counting down the days to see your productions!
2026 BASIE AWARDS – IMPORTANT DATES TO KNOW!
- Eligible productions may run from October 15, 2025 through April 18, 2026
- Video submissions must be shared within two weeks of your closing performance
- Fall production evaluations are sent in late-January
- Award nominations will be held the week of April 27, 2026
- Pre-Sale Tickets for Schools start May 1
- Spring production evaluations are sent in mid-May
- Onsite rehearsals at the Basie Center for nominated plays, musicals + lead performers in musicals between May 11-13
- Dress rehearsal for nominated plays, musicals + lead performers in musicals will be held on Monday, May 18
- The 21st Annual Basie Awards ceremony will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 7pm || Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre – Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, NJ.
COMING THIS WINTER + SPRING IN MONMOUTH COUNTY’S HIGH SCHOOLS!
FEBRUARY
RENT
Thurs. Feb. 19 @ 7:30pm | Fri. Feb. 20 @ 7:30pm | Sat. Feb. 21 @ 7:30pm
Keyport High School performing at Keyport Central School
335 Broad Street Keyport, NJ 07735
BRIGHT STAR
Thurs. Feb. 26 @ 7pm | Fri. Feb. 27 @ 7pm | Sat. Feb. 28 @ 2pm
Allentown High School
27 High St, Allentown, NJ 08501
A CHORUS LINE
Thurs. Feb. 26 @ 7pm | Fri. Feb. 27 @ 7pm | Sat. Feb. 28 @ 7pm
Colts Neck High School
59 Five Points Road, Colts Neck NJ 07722
THE ADDAMS FAMILY
Thurs. Feb. 26 @ 7pm | Fri. Feb. 27 @ 7pm | Sat. Feb. 28 @ 1pm + 7pm
Manalapan High School
20 Church Lane, Manalapan, NJ
MARCH
THE LITTLE MERMAID
Wed. Mar. 4 @ 7pm | Fri. Mar. 6 @ 7pm | Sat. Mar. 7 @ 1pm + 7pm
Freehold Township High School
281 Elton-Adelphia Rd, Freehold, NJ 07728
CHICAGO
Thurs. Mar. 5 @ 6:30pm | Fri. Mar. 6 @ 6:30pm | Sat. Mar. 7 @ 12pm + 6:30pm
Howell High School
405 Squankum Yellowbrook Road, Howell NJ
SEUSSICAL!
Thurs. Mar. 5 @ 7pm | Fri. Mar. 6 @ 7pm | Sat. Mar. 7 @ 2pm + 7pm
Monmouth Regional High School
1 Norman J Field Way, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
CHICAGO
Thurs. Mar. 5 @ 7pm | Fri. Mar. 6 @ 7pm | Sat. Mar. 7 @ 2pm + 7pm
Neptune High School
55 Neptune Blvd. Neptune NJ 07753
GREASE
Fri. Mar. 6 @ 7pm | Sat. Mar. 7 @ 7pm | Sun. Mar. 8 @ 2pm | Thurs. Mar. 12 @ 5pm | Fri. Mar. 13 @ 7pm | Sat. Mar. 14 @ 7pm
Christian Brothers Academy
850 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738
COME FROM AWAY
Fri. March 6 @ 7:30pm | Sat. March 7 @ 2:30pm + 7:30pm | Sun. March 8 @ 4:00pm
Trinity Hall performing at Forrestdale School
60 Forrest Avenue, Rumson, NJ 07760
FOOTLOOSE
Fri. Mar. 6 @ 7pm | Sat. Mar. 7 @ 1pm + 7pm
Freehold High School
2 Robertsville Road, Freehold NJ 07728
CINDERELLA
Thurs. Mar. 12 @ 7pm | Fri. Mar. 13 @ 7pm | Sat. Mar. 14 @ 7PM
Holmdel High School
36 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel 07733
GUYS AND DOLLS
Thurs. Mar. 12 @ 7pm | Fri. Mar. 13 @ 7pm | Sat. Mar. 14 @ 7pm
Middletown High School South
900 Nut Swamp Road, Middletown, NJ 07748
ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME
Thurs. Mar. 12 @ 7pm | Fri. Mar. 13 @ 7pm | Sat. Mar. 14 @ 7PM | Sun. Mar. 15 @ 2pm
Ocean Township High School
550 West Park Ave, Oakhurst, NJ 07755
ONCE UPON A MATTRESS
Fri. Mar. 13 @ 7pm | Sat. Mar. 14 @ 1pm + 7pm
Middletown High School North
63 Tindall Ave, Middletown, NJ 07748
LITTLE WOMEN THE MUSICAL
Thurs. Mar. 19 @ 7pm | Fri. Mar. 20 @ 7pm | Sat. Mar. 21 @ 1pm + 7pm
Manasquan High School
167 Main Street, Manasquan, NJ 08736
LEAP OF FAITH
Thurs. Mar. 19 @ 7pm | Fri. Mar. 20 @ 7pm | Sat. Mar. 21 @ 7pm | Sun. Mar. 22 @ 2pm
Matawan Regional High School
450 Atlantic Avenue, Aberdeen Township, NJ 07747
GODSPELL
Thurs. Mar. 19 @ 7pm | Fri. Mar. 20 @ 7pm | Sat. Mar. 21 @ 2pm + 7pm
Saint John Vianney High School
540A Line Rd. Holmdel, NJ 07733
FREAKY FRIDAY
Fri. Mar. 20 @ 7pm
Biotechnology High School
5000 Kozloski Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
GREASE
Fri. Mar. 20 @ 7pm | Sat. Mar. 21 @ 7pm | Sun. Mar. 22 @ 2pm
Red Bank Catholic High School
112 Broad Street Red Bank NJ 07701
EVIL DEAD THE MUSICAL: HIGH SCHOOL VERSION
Fri. Mar. 20 @ 7:30pm | Sat. Mar. 21 @ 7:30pm | Sun. Mar. 22 @ 2pm |Sat. Mar. 28 @ 7:30pm | Sun. Mar. 29 @ 2pm
Rumson-Fair Haven High School
74 Ridge Road, Rumson, NJ 07760
THE ADDAMS FAMILY
Thurs. Mar. 26 @ 7pm | Fri. Mar. 27 @ 7pm | Sat. Mar. 28 @ 1 + 7pm
Long Branch High School
404 Indiana Ave, Long Branch, NJ 07740
LEGALLY BLONDE
Thurs. Mar. 26 @ 6:30pm | Fri. Mar. 27 @ 6:30pm | Sat. Mar. 28 @ 1pm + 7pm
Red Bank Regional High School
101 Ridge Road, Little Silver, NJ 07739
THE WIZARD OF OZ
Thurs. Mar. 26 @ 7pm | Fri. Mar. 27 @ 7pm | Sat. Mar. 28 @ 2pm + 7pm
Raritan High School
419 Middle Road, Hazlet, NJ 07730
INTO THE WOODS
Thurs. Mar. 26 @ 7pm | Fri. Mar. 27 @ 7pm | Sat. Mar. 28 @ 2pm + 7pm
Wall High School
1630 18th Ave, Wall Township, NJ 07719
MARY POPPINS
Fri. Mar. 27 @ 7:00pm | Sat. Mar. 28 @ 7:00pm
St. Rose High School
607 7th Ave, Belmar, NJ 07719
APRIL
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
Fri. Apr. 10 @ 7pm | Sat. Apr. 11 @ 7pm
High Technology High School
765 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, New Jersey 07738
ANYTHING GOES
Fri. Apr. 17 @ 7pm | Sat. Apr. 18 @ 7pm
Ranney School
235 Hope Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
THIS FALL IN MONMOUTH COUNTY’S HIGH SCHOOLS!
OCTOBER
BLITHE SPIRIT
at Howell High School (405 Squankum Yellowbrook Road, Farmingdale, NJ 07727)
Thurs. Oct. 16 @ 6:30pm | Fri. Oct. 17 @ 6:30pm | Sat. Oct. 18 @ 6:30pm
CLUE
at Monmouth Regional High School (1 Norman J Field Way, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724)
Thurs. Oct. 23 @ 7pm | Fri. Oct. 24 @ 7pm
THE EXCEPTIONAL CHILDHOOD CENTER
at Manasquan High School (167 Broad Street, Manasquan, NJ 08736)
Fri. Oct. 24 @ 7pm | Sat. Oct. 25 @ 7pm
CURSE OF THE COBRA’S KISS
at Freehold High School (2 Robertsville Road, Freehold, NJ 07728)
Fri. Oct. 31 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 1 @ 3pm | Sat. Nov. 1 @ 7pm
NOVEMBER
CLUE
Presented by St. Rose High School at Belmar Elementary School (1101 Main Street, Belmar, NJ 07719)
Thurs. Nov. 6 @ 7pm | Fri. Nov. 7 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 8 @ 7pm
OUR TOWN
at Christian Brothers Academy (850 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738)
Fri. Nov. 7 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 8 @ 7pm | Sun. Nov. 9 @ 2pm | Thurs. Nov. 13 @ 5pm | Fri. Nov. 14 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 15 @ 7pm
CLUE
at Raritan High School (419 Middle Road, Hazlet, NJ 07730)
Thurs. Nov. 13 @ 7pm | Fri. Nov. 14 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 15 @ 2pm | Sat. Nov. 15 @ 7pm
PLAY ON!
at Colts Neck High School (59 Five Points Road, Colts Neck, NJ 07722)
Fri. Nov. 14 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 16 @ Time TBD
SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD
at Neptune High School (55 Neptune Blvd, Neptune City, NJ 07753)
Fri. Nov. 14 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 16 @ 7pm
CLUE
at Freehold Township High School (281 Elton-Adelphia Rd, Freehold, NJ 07728)
Wed. Nov. 19 @ 7pm | Fri. Nov. 21 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 22 @ 1pm | Sat. Nov. 22 @ 7pm
TWELFTH NIGHT
at Howell High School (405 Squankum Yellowbrook Road, Farmingdale, NJ 07727)
Thurs. Nov. 20 @ 6:30 pm | Fri. Nov. 21 @ 6:30 pm | Sat. Nov. 22 @ 6:30 pm
LITTLE WOMEN
at Red Bank Regional High School (101 Ridge Road, Little Silver, NJ 07739)
Thurs. Nov. 20 @ 6:30 pm | Fri. Nov. 21 @ 6:30 pm | Sat. Nov. 22 @ 2:30 pm | Sat. Nov. 22 @ 6:30 pm
THIS MURDER WAS STAGED
at Collier High School (160 Conover Road, Wickatunk, NJ 07765)
Thurs. Nov. 20 @ 7pm
PUFFS
at Holmdel High School (36 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733)
Thurs. Nov. 20 @ 7pm | Fri. Nov. 21 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 22 @ 7pm
THE MATCHMAKER
at Manalapan High School (20 Church Lane, Manalapan, NJ 07726)
Thurs. Nov. 20 @ 7pm | Fri. Nov. 21 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 22 @ 1pm | Sat. Nov. 22 @ 7pm
IPHIGENIA IN TAURIS
at Middletown High School SOUTH (900 Nut Swamp Road, Middletown, NJ 07748)
Thurs. Nov. 20 @ 7pm | Fri. Nov. 21 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 22 @ 7pm
RUMORS
at Ocean Township High School (550 W Park Ave, Oakhurst, NJ 07755)
Thurs. Nov. 20 @ 7pm | Fri. Nov. 21 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 22 @ 7pm
EURYDICE
Presented by Wall High School at Wall Intermediate School (2801 Allaire Rd., Wall Township, NJ 07719)
Thurs. Nov. 20 @ 7pm | Fri. Nov. 21 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 22 @ 1pm | Sat. Nov. 22 @ 5pm
BOOK OF WILL
Presented by Trinity Hall at Forrestdale School (60 Forrest Avenue, Rumson, NJ 07760)
Thurs. Nov. 20 @ 7:30 pm | Fri. Nov. 21 @ 7:30 pm | Sat. Nov. 22 @ 2:30 pm | Sat. Nov. 22 @ 7:30 pm
LOVE, ESME
at Communications High School (1740 New Bedford Road, Wall, NJ 07719)
Fri. Nov. 21 @ 6:30 pm | Sat. Nov. 22 @ 6:30 pm
BE MORE CHILL
at Henry Hudson Regional School (1 Grand Tour, Highlands, NJ 07732)
Fri. Nov. 21 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 22 @ 2pm | Sat. Nov. 22 @ 7pm
THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
at Middletown High School NORTH (63 Tindall Road, Middletown, NJ 07748)
Fri. Nov. 21 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 22 @ 7pm
PETER AND THE STARCATCHER
at Red Bank Catholic High School (112 Broad Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701)
Fri. Nov. 21 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 22 @ 7pm
FROZEN Jr.
at Rumson-Fair Haven High School (74 Ridge Road, Rumson, NJ 07760)
Fri. Nov. 21 @ 7:30pm | Sat. Nov. 22 @ 7:30pm | Sun. Nov. 23 @ 2pm
DECEMBER
BLITHE SPIRIT
at Matawan Regional High School (450 Atlantic Avenue, Aberdeen Township, NJ 07747)
Thurs. Dec. 4 @7pm | Fri. Dec. 5 @ 7pm | Sat. Dec. 6 @ 7pm | Sun. Dec. 7 @ 2pm
CHRISTMAS ONE ACT FESTIVAL: A Christmas Carol + All I Really Need to Know I Learned From Being in a Bad Christmas Play
at St. John Vianney (540 A-Line Road, Holmdel, NJ 07737)
Thurs. Dec. 4 @7pm | Fri. Dec. 5 @ 7pm | Sat. Dec. 6 @ 2pm | Sat. Dec. 6 @ 7pm
THIS MURDER WAS STAGED
at High Technology High School (765 Newman Springs Rd, Lincroft, NJ 07738)
Fri. Dec. 5 @ 6:30pm
LITTLE WOMEN
at Ranney School (235 Hope Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724)
Fri. Dec. 5 @ 7:30pm | Sat. Dec. 6 @ 7:30pm
JANUARY
DRACULA
At Keansburg High School (140 Port Monmouth Rd, Keansburg, NJ 07734)
Fri. Jan. 16 @ 6:30pm | Sat. Jan. 17 @ 6:30pm