Senator Vin Gopal honored for lifetime achievement; 50+ Monmouth Country
high school productions represented

 

(RED BANK | MAY 19, 2026) Winners were announced this evening at the 21st annual BASIE AWARDS, honoring the very best in Monmouth County high school theatre. This year’s ceremony took place at the historic Count Basie Center for the Arts, attracting a capacity crowd for what has become the biggest night of the year for area high school thespians.

“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.”

This year marked the 21^st year of the Basie Awards. 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 theaters 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)
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)
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

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 PRODUCTION
HENRY HUDSON REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, BE MORE CHILL

We also recognize there are student contributions that do not fit neatly into “eligible nominated categories.” For the past few years we 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