Nominees announced for 2025 Basie Awards, celebrating Monmouth County high school theatre

Tickets on sale next Friday, May 9 for the annual ceremony, taking place on May 21 in Red Bank

(RED BANK | APRIL 30, 2025) Nominees have been announced for the twentieth-annual Basie Awards, the annual celebration of Monmouth County high school theatre, taking place on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at the historic Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank.

Tickets for this year’s presentation go on sale next Friday, May 9 at 10am through theBASIE.org, the Basie Center box office or via phone at 732-842-9000.

This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the Basie Awards program, which 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.

“Twenty years of witnessing hundreds of student productions and all the work that goes into them – both onstage and behind the scenes – has yielded recognition for thousands of students, staff and other individual nominees,” said Adam Philipson, President and CEO, Count Basie Center for the Arts. “But what is equally notable is the supportive theatrical community that has developed throughout the county, which we like to think is a reflection of the Basie Awards tradition”

This year, the Basie Awards Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Fran and Paul Turner, two longstanding patrons of the arts and supporters of the Count Basie Center’s arts education initiatives.

“The Count Basie Center’s performing arts school is now the Turner Academy of the Arts — named in Fran and Paul’s honor,” said Philipson. “Recognizing the Turners for their selfless devotion to the arts also celebrates the fact that students can continue to come to us to be inspired and empowered by the performing arts.”

“Our twentieth-year celebration will reflect on the past, honor the present, and look ahead to the future,” said Samantha Giustiniani, Vice President of Education and Outreach, Count Basie Center for the Arts. “We’re thrilled to welcome more than 25 alumni to share in this event, all of whom participated in the Basie Awards as high schoolers.”

This year, 52 high school productions were evaluated by the Basie Awards nomination committee, producing notations in the following categories:

DRAMAS & COMEDIES

CAROLE MALIK AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN OF A PLAY

CATHERINE CLEARY (FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF THE BARBARY COAST)
ISABEL DUMOIS + SOPHIA ZIDANI (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, THE GREAT GATSBY)
CHELSEA GOWER (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, MACHINAL)
MAGGIE HAVENS + LUCY KENNEDY (TRINITY HALL, LITTLE WOMEN)
EMILY KASTER (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, RADIUM GIRLS)

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN OF A PLAY

JOHN CHOLOWINSKI (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK)
KEVIN GUNTHER (FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF THE BARBARY COAST)
JESSE HEUBEL (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, PUFFS)
MARK KEELER (RANNEY SCHOOL, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING)
ROBERT RUTT + JORDAN BERKE (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND)

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN OF A PLAY

JACK ANDRUS (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, MACHINAL)
JUSTIN CHRISTOPHER ODON (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, THE GREAT GATSBY)
ROBERT RUTT (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK)
CHRIS SCHOLES + GAVIN SCHMEDES (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, THESE SHINING LIVES)
PATRICK WHEELER (MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL, RADIUM GIRLS)

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY

GIAVANNA ANTICO (RANNEY SCHOOL, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING)
ALEXANDRA BRICHKOV (FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF THE BARBARY COAST)
JILLIAN FARMER (MONMOUTH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, ALICE IN WONDERLAND)
SOFIE GRODMAN (COMMUNICATIONS HIGH SCHOOL, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY)
ADETARA OGUNADE (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, LEADING LADIES

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
NIKA BERG (COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, SUITE SURRENDER)
NASYIAH WASHINGTON (FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF THE BARBARY COAST

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY

SAM ALEXANDER + VINCENT ALEXANDER (MONMOUTH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, ALICE IN WONDERLAND)
ALLISON LINDLEY (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, LEADING LADIES)
ENRICO RONDINELLA (COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, SUITE SURRENDER)
JACOB TARQUINO (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, CLUE)
WILLIAM VIBERT (RANNEY SCHOOL, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
DONOVAN HARRIS (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK)
CAYDEN JAY (FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF THE BARBARY COAST)

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA

JUNE COLES (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, MACHINAL)
BREE DICHIARA (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, RADIUM GIRLS)
GIANNA FERNANDEZ (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, THE GREAT GATSBY)
KIMAYA KULKARNI (COLLIER SCHOOL, RADIUM GIRLS)
SOPHIA LATOURETTE (TRINITY HALL, LITTLE WOMEN)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
ADDISON MCKEON (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, MACHINAL)
KASEY WILKENS (TRINITY HALL, LITTLE WOMEN)

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA

GEORGE GEISERT (TRINITY HALL, LITTLE WOMEN)
MIO KARTLOSISHVILI (COLLIER SCHOOL, RADIUM GIRLS)
PHOENIX MEDINA (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, THESE SHINING LIVES)
COLIN PURCELL (TRINITY HALL, LITTLE WOMEN)
SAMVI RAJ (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, ROMEO AND JULIET)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
AIDAN CARSCADDEN (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, ROMEO AND JULIET)
STRUMMER HANSEN (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, MACHINAL)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY

ANNA ACCARDI (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND)
SARAH MOSER (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND)
URVI PATEL (HIGH TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL, ALMOST, MAINE)
KAYLA PERKINS (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, MIDSUMMER/JERSEY)
ELIZABETH WHITTLE (HIGH TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL, ALMOST, MAINE)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
KIERSTEN CYGAL (HIGH TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL, ALMOST, MAINE)
ISABELLA LAWTON (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, CLUE)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY

ADELAIDE BERTRAND (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, PUFFS)
HENRY LIU (HIGH TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL, ALMOST, MAINE)
JP SHIMKUS (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, CLUE)
JONATHAN STUBBS (RANNEY SCHOOL, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING)
BAKARI UNDERWOOD (MONMOUTH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, ALICE IN WONDERLAND)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
JON MARTENS (RANNEY SCHOOL, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING)
WILLIAM RUSSO (COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, SUITE SURRENDER)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA

RYLEE HIGGINS (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, LITTLE WOMEN)
IZZY MEZHIBOVSKY (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, RADIUM GIRLS)
SOPHIA MONTALVO (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, MACHINAL)
ESSENCE NERO-DAVIS (COLLIER SCHOOL, RADIUM GIRLS)
GABRIELLA TRUETT (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, ROMEO AND JULIET)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
JACQUELINE FARKAS (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, THESE SHINING LIVES)
ANNIKA RAJ (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, ROMEO AND JULIET)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA

ZAC BERG (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, MACHINAL)
HENRY GRIFFITH (TRINITY HALL, LITTLE WOMEN)
ROCCO IMPREVEDUTO (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, ROMEO AND JULIET)
CAMREN MOE (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, RADIUM GIRLS)
JAYDEN DESAGUN-PINEDA (COLLIER SCHOOL, RADIUM GIRLS)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
COOPER BILSLAND (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, ROMEO AND JULIET)
NICK RIDNER (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, MACHINAL)

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY

CATHERINE ASHMORE BRADLEY (RANNEY SCHOOL, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING)
IZZY CHAGARES (RANNEY SCHOOL, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING)
VERONICA GIRANDOLA (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, PUFFS)
SOPHIA JAWORSKI (FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF THE BARBARY COAST)
EMILY TURNER (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, MIDSUMMER/JERSEY)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
PEYTON MEDVEDICH (FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF THE BARBARY COAST)
RACHEL WALKER (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, MIDSUMMER/JERSEY)

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY

HAYDEN BERCY (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK)
LUCAS RIZZUTO CANERO (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, LEADING LADIES)
KATRINA MIGLIORE (COMMUNICATIONS HIGH SCHOOL, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY)
LIAM POLLOCK (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, CLUE)
MICHAEL UZZI (RANNEY SCHOOL, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
JUSTIN HENRIQUES (COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, SUITE SURRENDER)
CHARLES WIECZOREK (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, LEADING LADIES)

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA

MOLLY BARTRAM (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, LITTLE WOMEN)
JENNA CANNELLA (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, MACHINAL)
JOY OGUNSAKIN (TRINITY HALL, LITTLE WOMEN)
ELIZABETH PODLASKI (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, THE GREAT GATSBY)
AVA ROMANO (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, RADIUM GIRLS)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
ELLA MADDEN (COLLIER SCHOOL, RADIUM GIRLS)
MICHELA MUNGIELLO (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, THESE SHINING LIVES)

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA

KRIS ACCARDI (COLLIER SCHOOL, RADIUM GIRLS)
ANTHONY DEMARCO (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, RADIUM GIRLS)
LUKE ESTAURA (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, THE GREAT GATSBY)
JAY LAZEN (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS)
SOLOMON SUKKARIEH (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, THESE SHINING LIVES)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
COLTEN CARUSO (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, LITTLE WOMEN)
ZACKARY CLOSIUS (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, THE GREAT GATSBY)

OUTSTANDING COMPANY IN A COMEDY

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, CLUE
COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, SUITE SURRENDER
HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK
MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, LEADING LADIES
RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
COMMUNICATIONS HIGH SCHOOL, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, PUFFS

OUTSTANDING COMPANY IN A DRAMA

HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, ROMEO AND JULIET
MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL, RADIUM GIRLS
MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, RADIUM GIRLS
OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, MACHINAL
ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, THESE SHINING LIVES

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, LITTLE WOMEN
TRINITY HALL, LITTLE WOMEN

OUTSTANDING STAGE + TECH CREW OF A PLAY

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, CLUE
COMMUNICATIONS HIGH SCHOOL, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, MACHINAL
RANNEY SCHOOL, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
TRINITY HALL, LITTLE WOMEN

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, PUFFS
MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, LITTLE WOMEN

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A PLAY

AMANDA FARIA (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, LITTLE WOMEN)
CHELSEA GOWER (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, MACHINAL)
ALANA HERRON (COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, SUITE SURRENDER)
KATHRYN MASLAK (RANNEY SCHOOL, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING)
MARCOS OROZCO (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, CLUE)

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A PLAY

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, CLUE
OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, MACHINAL
RANNEY SCHOOL, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND
ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, THESE SHINING LIVES

________________________________________

MUSICALS

CAROLE MALIK AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN OF A MUSICAL

JACKIE FASANO (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH)
MAGGIE HAVENS + LUCY KENNEDY (TRINITY HALL, THE HELLO GIRLS)
EMILY KASTER (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, FOOTLOOSE)
JAQUIE REVIER (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, SPAMALOT)
SOPHIA ZIDANI (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, THE WEDDING SINGER)

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN OF A MUSICAL

ASHLEY BASILE (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH)
ASHLEY CUSACK (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, THE WEDDING SINGER)
ANDREW D’AGOSTINO (LONG BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL, IN THE HEIGHTS)
CHELSEA GOWER with JUNE COLES, KORI PENIX + LEILANI ROLLINES (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS)
DAVE NIEMIEROWSKI (COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, ANYTHING GOES)

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN OF A MUSICAL

KEVIN GUNTHER (FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, MAMMA MIA!)
ASHLEY HOUCK (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH)
REAGAN IPPOLITO (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS)
LOGAN JAVIER (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, TWELFTH NIGHT)
BOBBI-RENE FULLERTON (MONMOUTH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, GREASE)

OUTSTANDING ALL STUDENT ORCHESTRA

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, TWELFTH NIGHT
COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, ANYTHING GOES
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, LEGALLY BLONDE
MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL, MATILDA
MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, FOOTLOOSE
TRINITY HALL, THE HELLO GIRLS

OUTSTANDING MIXED STUDENT + ADULT ORCHESTRA

FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, MAMMA MIA!
HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, SPAMALOT
LONG BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL, IN THE HEIGHTS
MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, PIPPIN
OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

AMY GIINTHER FREDERICKS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DIRECTION

VICTORIA BORRELLI (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH)
SUSAN CONNERS (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, SPAMALOT)
MIKE KABASH + LAUREN BRANCATO (TRINITY HALL, THE HELLO GIRLS)
CHRISTIAN LOPEZ (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, TWELFTH NIGHT)
KYLE TITMAS, TEDDY KERNIZAN + KASON JACKSON (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS)

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ENSEMBLE GROUP

THE MERRY MURDERESSES (COMMUNICATIONS HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO)
GREEK CHORUS (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, LEGALLY BLONDE)
THE URCHINS (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS)
THE ROYAL STEPFAMILY (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, INTO THE WOODS)
THE ORPHANS (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, ANNIE)

HONORABLE MENTION:
THE MATHLETES (KEYPORT HIGH SCHOOL, MEAN GIRLS)

OUTSTANDING CHORUS IN A MUSICAL

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, LEGALLY BLONDE
HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, CURTAINS
MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, PIPPIN
MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, FOOTLOOSE
RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, MATILDA

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, SPAMALOT
MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL, MATILDA
MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, PIPPIN

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY

ARIANA CENTAMORE (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, LEGALLY BLONDE)
BRITTANY COHEN (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, SPAMALOT)
NJELAMA DACAS JOHNSON (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, PIPPIN)
LIZA PERNA DE ALMEIDA (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, FOOTLOOSE)
VANESSA SICA (MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL, MATILDA)

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL

MADDY DEHANES (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, FOOTLOOSE)
LILA DISPIGNA (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, THE WEDDING SINGER)
HELEN DOMASHINSKI (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, ANNIE)
SOPHIE ESTRELLA (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, PIPPIN)
ZELDA GOLLAND (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
NIKA BERG (COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, ANYTHING GOES)
JANIN SZALKOWSKI (TRINITY HALL, THE HELLO GIRLS)

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL

ROCCO IMPREVEDUTO (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, CURTAINS)
DYLAN MENDOZA-CANO (LONG BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL, IN THE HEIGHTS)
CONNOR NASPO (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, SPAMALOT)
DANIEL SCOTT (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, ANNIE)
COOPER STAHL (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, SPAMALOT)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
ANDREW CHANGCHIEN (FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, MAMMA MIA!)
GRIFFIN TOMNEY (MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL

MOLLY BARTRAM (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, PIPPIN)
BANDAID ISSACS-RODRIGUEZ (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, SPAMALOT)
JHA’NAE LEGRANDE (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, THE WEDDING SINGER)
GIANNA MARINO (MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL, MATILDA)
KATE PROBST (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, LEGALLY BLONDE)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
KAI FELICIANO (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, MEAN GIRLS)
CALLA GRAIFF (HENRY HUDSON REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, URINETOWN)
JOLEIGH TUMMINELLI (KEANSBURG HIGH SCHOOL, EVIL DEAD THE
MUSICAL)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL

HAYDEN BERCY (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, SPAMALOT)
SEAN BUSK (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH)
MARK MOITOSO (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, CURTAINS)
WILLIAM RUSSO (COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, ANYTHING GOES)
JP SHIMKUS (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, TWELFTH NIGHT)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
CAYDEN JAY (FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, MAMMA MIA!)
PURVIS WHITE (LONG BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL, IN THE HEIGHTS)

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL

ELENA ASFENDIS (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, TWELFTH NIGHT)
DAKOTA DIEHL (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, MATILDA)
ELIZABETH PODLASKI (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, THE WEDDING SINGER)
HENRIETTE PONS (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, PIPPIN)
FRANCESCA RANUCCI (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, INTO THE WOODS)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
GILLIAN ELDREDGE-SILBERSTEIN (MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY)
PEYTON MEDVEDICH (FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, MAMMA MIA!)

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL

LUCAS BRANQUINHO (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS)
COLTEN CARUSO (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, PIPPIN)
GABRIEL DELIMA (LONG BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL, IN THE HEIGHTS)
CAMERON LIEB (MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY)
LUCAS RIZZUTO CANERO (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, PIPPIN)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
VINCENT ALEXANDER (MONMOUTH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, GREASE)
JULES THERMIDOR (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, SPAMALOT)

OUTSTANDING STAGE + TECH CREW OF A MUSICAL

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, LEGALLY BLONDE
MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL, MATILDA
MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, FOOTLOOSE
NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, THE WEDDING SINGER
RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, CURTAINS
KEANSBURG HIGH SCHOOL, EVIL DEAD THE MUSICAL
RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, MEAN GIRLS

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL

RACHEL CIANI (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, SPAMALOT)
AMANDA LOGUIRATO (MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL, MATILDA)
RILEY MARTIN (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, LEGALLY BLONDE)
ELLEN PHILLIPS (TRINITY HALL, THE HELLO GIRLS)
LINDA WALLING ((MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, PIPPIN)

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL

HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, SPAMALOT
MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, PIPPIN
OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH
TRINITY HALL, THE HELLO GIRLS
STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWARDS

This year, the Basie Awards shines 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, we recognize there are student contributions that do not fit neatly into “eligible nominated categories.” We are excited to share the following new recognitions:

OUTSTANDING STUDENT-LED PLAY

COMMUNICATIONS HIGH SCHOOL, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
HIGH TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL, ALMOST, MAINE
MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, A NIGHT OF ORIGINAL STUDENT WRITTEN + DIRECTED ONE ACTS

OUTSTANDING STUDENT-LED MUSICAL

BIOTECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
COMMUNICATIONS HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO
HIGH TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL, THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL

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 21st.