(RED BANK | APRIL 27, 2026) Nominees have been announced for the 2026 Basie Awards, the annual celebration of Monmouth County high school theatre, taking place on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at the historic Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank.

Tickets for this year’s presentation go on sale next Friday, May 8 at 10am through theBASIE.org, the Basie Center box office or via phone at 732-842-9000.

The Basie Awards program, which is modeled after the TONY™ Awards, 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.

“As the Count Basie Center celebrates its Centennial, we’re excited to once again recognize and honor the hard work that goes into Monmouth County’s high school productions,” said Adam Philipson, President and CEO, Count Basie Center for the Arts. “Now in its 21^st year, the Basie Awards program continues to be one our most exciting nights of the year — one that not only showcases terrific talent but solidifies the county-wide theatrical community as one of the state’s very best.”

This year, the Basie Awards Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to State Senator Vin Gopal, whose personal and legislative support of the arts has allowed the Basie Center and other arts organizations to flourish throughout Monmouth County.

“Vin Gopal is a steadfast supporter of the arts, here at the Basie Center and throughout the 11^th district – a community he serves with an unending level of support, compassion and grace,” Philipson said. “To honor him as this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner is not only appropriate, but an honor for us as well.”

“With our Centennial in mind, we thought it appropriate to recognize the rich history of Monmouth County’s performing arts community,” said Anthony Greco, Count Basie Center Senior Manager Arts Education and Outreach and director of this year’s ceremony. “This year’s Basie Awards will honor that heritage as a bridge to celebrate the present and dream of the future.”

This year, 53 high school productions 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
JACKIE FASANO (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE WOMEN)
CHELSEA GOWER + ADDISON MCKEON (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, RUMORS)
MAGGIE HAVENS (TRINITY HALL, THE BOOK OF WILL)
EMILY KASTER (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, IPHIGENIA IN TAURIS)
SARI SCHWARZ (MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL, THE MATCHMAKER)

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN OF A PLAY
ASHLEY BASILE (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE WOMEN)
CHELSEA GOWER (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, RUMORS)
JESSE HEUBEL (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, CLUE)
ROBERT RUTT (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER)
MICHAEL W. WELLS II (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, BLITHE SPIRIT)

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN OF A PLAY
JESSICA AMORINO (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, BLITHE SPIRIT)
BRENDEN KORTENHAUS (WALL HIGH SCHOOL, EURYDICE)
ROBERT RUTT (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER)
KYLE SANTOPADRE (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, CLUE)
CAROLINA SILVER (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, CLUE)

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY
ARIANA BUSICO-VASQUEZ (COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, PLAY ON!)
SOFIA KARTHOLL (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, CHRISTMAS ONE ACT FESTIVAL)
JOELLE GIUSEFFI (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, CHRISTMAS ONE ACT FESTIVAL)
ALIANA LOYO (MONMOUTH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, CLUE)
ASHLEY MCDONALD (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, CLUE)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
JILLIAN FARMER (MONMOUTH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, CLUE)
KELLY O’KEEFFE (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, BLITHE SPIRIT)                     

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY
DOMINIC CERRETO (COLLIER SCHOOL, THIS MURDER WAS STAGED)
MASON CHRISTY (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, PUFFS)
CADEN CREGG-WEDMORE (HIGH TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL, THIS MURDER WAS STAGED)
EMIL KORCHIYEV (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, CLUE)
DANIEL LEVITON (FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, CURSE OF THE COBRA’S KISS)

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA
DELANEY CORRIGAN (TRINITY HALL, THE BOOK OF WILL)
AUDREY FRANCO (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, OUR TOWN)
AVERY LAWLOR (WALL HIGH SCHOOL, EURYDICE)
IRMA SERAFINO (COMMUNICATIONS HIGH SCHOOL, LOVE, ESME)
SAOIRSE STRUSZKIEWICZ (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, IPHIGENIA IN TAURIS)

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA
CAMERON CATALANO (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, IPHIGENIA IN TAURIS)
JIMMY FREEDLEY (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK)
JERRY GOLLAND (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, IPHIGENIA IN TAURIS)
HENRY GRIFFITH (TRINITY HALL, THE BOOK OF WILL)
JANIN SZALKOWSKI (TRINITY HALL, THE BOOK OF WILL)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
JILLIAN BYRNE (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE WOMEN)
TOMMY KORTENHAUS (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, OUR TOWN)   

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY
KATE ARELLANO (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, BLITHE SPIRIT)
MADISON BABYAK (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, BLITHE SPIRIT)
SYD EICHORN (ST. ROSE HIGH SCHOOL, CLUE)
MAGGIE REICHENBECHER (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, TWELFTH NIGHT)
MAEVE THURMAN (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
ELEANOR DOWNEY (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, CLUE)
RUBY PHAIR (COLLIER SCHOOL, THIS MURDER WAS STAGED)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY
NORTH BERTRAND (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, CLUE)
ADRIAN CARDINOZA (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, PUFFS)
LILIAN HAVERTY (HIGH TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL, THIS MURDER WAS STAGED)
CORT HOOKER (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER)
CONNOR PASZKIEWICZ (MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL, THE MATCHMAKER)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
ARIAN ARAVANDI (HIGH TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL, THIS MURDER WAS STAGED)
JOSHUA JOHNSON (MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, EXCEPTIONAL CHILDHOOD CENTER)
WILLIAM RUSSO (COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, PLAY ON!)                

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA
ELENA ASFENDIS (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, OUR TOWN)
MELANIE CREEN (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE WOMEN)
ISABELLA GARRISON (TRINITY HALL, THE BOOK OF WILL)
ADELINE O’MARA (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE WOMEN)
MIA PORTELLI (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
LILLI KOERNIG (COMMUNICATIONS HIGH SCHOOL, LOVE, ESME)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA
NATE HANSEN (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, OUR TOWN)
JASON MENG (RANNEY SCHOOL, LITTLE WOMEN)
MAX OSTER (TRINITY HALL, THE BOOK OF WILL)
MILES RELLA (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK)
NIKKI VITELLO (WALL HIGH SCHOOL, EURYDICE)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
HUNTER DENBERG (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, IPHIGENIA IN TAURIS)

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY
NIKA BERG (COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, PLAY ON!)
JADA DAWSON (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, RUMORS)
AALIYSHA DEJONGE (FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, CURSE OF THE COBRA’S KISS)
GIANNA MARINO (MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL, THE MATCHMAKER)
SIENA MARINO (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
JACQUELINE FARKAS (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, CHRISTMAS ONE ACT FESTIVAL)
ADDISON MCKEON (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, RUMORS)                              

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY
ADELAIDE BERTRAND (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, CLUE)
SAMVI RAJ (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, PUFFS)
LUCAS RIZZUTO CANERO (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, BLITHE SPIRIT)
NIKO SAKELARIS (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER)
EJ YOUNG (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, RUMORS)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
DAIZEE DAVIS (FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, CURSE OF THE COBRA’S KISS)   
DONOVAN HARRIS (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, BLITHE SPIRIT)          

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA
EDEN COLLETON (RANNEY SCHOOL, LITTLE WOMEN)
RYLEE HIGGINS (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK)
EVELYNN KNOX (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, OUR TOWN)
KARINA MINALL (WALL HIGH SCHOOL, EURYDICE)
EMILY OMMERBORN (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, IPHIGENIA IN TAURIS)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
ADELLE FIANKO (COMMUNICATIONS HIGH SCHOOL, LOVE, ESME)
ZELDA GOLLAND (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE WOMEN) 

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA
VINCENT ARMENTI (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, OUR TOWN)
JACK BALDASARE (WALL HIGH SCHOOL, EURYDICE)
NICHOLAS BRIER (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK)
LIAM POLLOCK (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, OUR TOWN)
KATE SCHWEIKERT (TRINITY HALL, THE BOOK OF WILL)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
CAMREN MOE (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, IPHIGENIA IN TAURIS)
JOY OGUNSAKIN (TRINITY HALL, THE BOOK OF WILL)                       

OUTSTANDING COMPANY IN A COMEDY
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, CLUE
HIGH TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL, THIS MURDER WAS STAGED
MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, EXCEPTIONAL CHILDHOOD CENTER
MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, BLITHE SPIRIT
ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, CHRISTMAS ONE ACT FESTIVAL

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, CURSE OF THE COBRA’S KISS                                                                  

OUTSTANDING COMPANY IN A DRAMA
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, OUR TOWN
COMMUNICATIONS HIGH SCHOOL, LOVE, ESME
MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, IPHIGENIA IN TAURIS
TRINITY HALL, THE BOOK OF WILL
WALL HIGH SCHOOL, EURYDICE

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK                            

OUTSTANDING STAGE + TECH CREW OF A PLAY
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, CLUE
HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, PUFFS
HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, BLITHE SPIRIT
RANNEY SCHOOL, LITTLE WOMEN
ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, CHRISTMAS ONE ACT FESTIVAL

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, EXCEPTIONAL CHILDHOOD CENTER
MONMOUTH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, CLUE                                                                                       

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A PLAY
AMANDA FARIA (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK)
CHELSEA GOWER (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, RUMORS)
ALEXIS KOZAK (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, IPHIGENIA IN TAURIS)
JEANNE MONTANO (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER)
MARCOS OROZCO (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, OUR TOWN)

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, OUR TOWN
MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, IPHIGENIA IN TAURIS
OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, RUMORS
RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER         

 

MUSICALS

CAROLE MALIK AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
EMILY DAVIS (LONG BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY)
JACKIE FASANO (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, LEGALLY BLONDE)
EMILY KASTER (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, GUYS AND DOLLS)
ADDISON MCKEON + CHELSEA GOWER (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME)
ELIZABETH WOOD (RANNEY SCHOOL, ANYTHING GOES)

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
ALEKSANDRA GUIMARAES, MICHAEL CHRISTIE + EMILY CHEN (MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY)
KEVIN GUNTHER (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, EVIL DEAD)
KERRY MCBRIDE (MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE WOMEN)
ISABELLA MINGINO (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, GUYS AND DOLLS)
BRAD NICKLAS (ALLENTOWN HIGH SCHOOL, BRIGHT STAR)

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
ANDREW D’AGOSTINO (LONG BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY)
CHRIS GHAFFOOR (ALLENTOWN HIGH SCHOOL, BRIGHT STAR)
CHARLIE GUZMAN (RANNEY SCHOOL, ANYTHING GOES)
ASHLEY HOUCK (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, LEGALLY BLONDE)
JUSTIN CHRISTOPHER ODON (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD)

OUTSTANDING ALL STUDENT ORCHESTRA
COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, A CHORUS LINE
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, THE LITTLE MERMAID
MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, GUYS AND DOLLS
TRINITY HALL, COME FROM AWAY
WALL HIGH SCHOOL, INTO THE WOODS

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
BIOTECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL, FREAKY FRIDAY              
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, GREASE            

OUTSTANDING MIXED STUDENT + ADULT ORCHESTRA
LONG BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY
MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS
NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO
OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME
RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, LEGALLY BLONDE   

AMY GIINTHER FREDERICKS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DIRECTION
WILLIAM ALSAGER + SUSAN CONNERS (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO)
JACK ANDRUS (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME)
LAUREN BRANCATO + MICHAEL KABASH (TRINITY HALL, COME FROM AWAY)
MICHAEL RAGUSEO + EMILY KASTER (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, GUYS AND DOLLS)
MEGAN WOLFF (ALLENTOWN HIGH SCHOOL, BRIGHT STAR)

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ENSEMBLE GROUP
FLOTSAM + JETSAM (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, THE LITTLE MERMAID)
THE GAMBLERS (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, GUYS AND DOLLS)
THE MERRY MURDERESSES (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO)
THE PRINCESSES (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME)
DEMON BACKUP DANCERS (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, EVIL DEAD)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
ANGELS OF MERCY (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, LEAP OF FAITH)            
THE WICKERSHAMS (MONMOUTH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, SEUSSICAL!)             

OUTSTANDING CHORUS IN A MUSICAL
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, THE LITTLE MERMAID
HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO
OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME
RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, LEGALLY BLONDE
ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, GODSPELL

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY)
RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, THE WIZARD OF OZ       

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY
DONNA BATTAGLIA + KASIANN SWEENEY (FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, FOOTLOOSE)
ELENA FERRANTE-MARTIN (RANNEY SCHOOL, ANYTHING GOES)
LIZA PERNA DE ALMEIDA (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, GUYS AND DOLLS)
KATE SCHWEIKERT (TRINITY HALL, COME FROM AWAY)
GIADA TRINCILLA (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, LEGALLY BLONDE)

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL
JACQUELINE FARKAS (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, GODSPELL)
LUCY HESTER (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, GREASE)
EVELIN KRUPICHEVA (COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, A CHORUS LINE)
HELENA LECOMPTE (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, LEGALLY BLONDE)
MARY KATE O’CONNOR (ALLENTOWN HIGH SCHOOL, BRIGHT STAR)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
MCKENNA FAULHABER (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD)
MICHAELA MUNGIELLO (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, GODSPELL)                                   

 

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL
JACK BALDASARE (WALL HIGH SCHOOL, INTO THE WOODS)
DAVID BINNS (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO)
HUNTER DENBERG (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, GUYS AND DOLLS)
JIMMY FREEDLEY (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS)
KAI WILLIAMS (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
DANIEL LANZA (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, THE LITTLE MERMAID)
JAX TERRY (MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE WOMEN)                            

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL
AUBREY DICHIARA (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, GUYS AND DOLLS)
DAKOTA DIEHL (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, EVIL DEAD)
CATHERINE DIZON (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME)
SHAMMAI ATHENA JEROME (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO)
LILIANA ZERTUCHE (HENRY HUDSON REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, BE MORE CHILL)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
KIM HONG (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, CINDERELLA)         
SIENA MARINO (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, GREASE)    

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL
ANTHONY AMBROSE (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO)
NATE HANSEN (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, GREASE)
AVE JOHNSON (LONG BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY)
JASON KATZ (MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY)
JONATHAN STUBBS (RANNEY SCHOOL, ANYTHING GOES)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
CAMERON GUINDI (COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, A CHORUS LINE)
CAYDEN JAY (FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, FOOTLOOSE)
ELLIOT QUINN (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, EVIL DEAD)                        

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL
ELENA ASFENDIS (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, GUYS AND DOLLS)
JADA DAWSON (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME)
ANNIE GOOLEY (ALLENTOWN HIGH SCHOOL, BRIGHT STAR)
O’HARA KANE-ASSATLY (RANNEY SCHOOL, ANYTHING GOES)
KARINA MINALL (WALL HIGH SCHOOL, INTO THE WOODS)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
EMERSON GRANATA (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, CINDERELLA)
ELLA MANGANO (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, THE WIZARD OF OZ)
ANNIKA RAJ ((BIOTECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL, FREAKY FRIDAY) 

 

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL
CADEN CREGG-WEDMORE (HIGH TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS)
ELIZA CONNELLY (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, LEGALLY BLONDE)
CAMREN MOE (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, GUYS AND DOLLS)
HOBEY PETERSON (WALL HIGH SCHOOL, INTO THE WOODS)
LUCAS RIZZUTTO-CANERO (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, LEAP OF FAITH)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
LUCAS BRANQUINHO (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME)             
TYLER FAHMY (FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, FOOTLOOSE)  
CODY KRUEGER (MONMOUTH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, SEUSSICAL!)     

                               

OUTSTANDING STAGE + TECH CREW OF A MUSICAL
MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, THE LITTLE MERMAID
MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS
MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, GUYS AND DOLLS
RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, THE WIZARD OF OZ       

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, FOOTLOOSE
MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, LEAP OF FAITH
MONMOUTH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, SEUSSICAL!                                        

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL
ELENA FERRANTE-MARTIN (RANNEY SCHOOL, ANYTHING GOES)
NICOLE MACHIN (ALLENTOWN HIGH SCHOOL, BRIGHT STAR)
ELLEN PHILLIPS (TRINITY HALL, COME FROM AWAY)
ERIN RADVANSKI (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO)
MICHAEL RYAN (WALL HIGH SCHOOL, INTO THE WOODS)                                             

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
ALLENTOWN HIGH SCHOOL, BRIGHT STAR
MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, GUYS AND DOLLS
RANNEY SCHOOL, ANYTHING GOES
RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, EVIL DEAD
TRINITY HALL, COME FROM AWAY

Our 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. We are proud to recognize these communities for the magic they create both onstage and off, they remain truly deserving of our recognition.

OUTSTANDING SMALL SCHOOL (COMMUNITY) PRODUCTION
COLLIER SCHOOL, THIS MURDER WAS STAGED
HENRY HUDSON REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, BE MORE CHILL
KEANSBURG HIGH SCHOOL, DRACULA
KEYPORT HIGH SCHOOL, RENT
ST. ROSE HIGH SCHOOL, MARY POPPINS

In our continued efforts to celebrate, educate and uplift our participating schools, we recognize there are student contributions that do not fit neatly into “eligible nominated categories.” The following productions were entirely helmed by students who led their peers to much success.

OUTSTANDING STUDENT-LED PRODUCTION
BIOTECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL, FREAKY FRIDAY
COMMUNICATIONS HIGH SCHOOL, LOVE, ESME
HIGH TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
HIGH TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL, THIS MURDER WAS STAGED

OUTSTANDING STUDENT LEADERSHIP

These student leaders were nominated by their teachers as having gone above and beyond to lead by example and pave the way for incredible contributions which may not always be seen by the audience and our evaluators.  Announced live at THE BASIE AWARDS on May 19^th!