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!

REGISTER HERE!

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.

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

PAST YEARS

2025
Nominees
Winners
Photos

2024
Nominees
Winners
Photos

2023
Nominees
Winners
Photos