The Basie Awards
CELEBRATING 22 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 55 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 2027 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!
2027 BASIE AWARDS – IMPORTANT DATES TO KNOW!
- Eligible productions may run from October 9, 2026 through April 18, 2027
- Video submissions must be shared within two weeks of your closing performance
- Evaluations are sent approximately six weeks after your production closes.
- Award nominations will be held on Monday, May 3, 2027
- Pre-Sale Tickets for Schools start May 6
- Onsite rehearsals at the Basie Center for nominated plays, musicals + lead performers in musicals will be held on Monday, May 24 between the hours of 2:30-7pm
- Dress rehearsal for nominated plays, musicals + lead performers in musicals will be held on Tuesday, May 25 starting at 5pm
- The 22nd Annual BASIE AWARDS ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 26, 2027 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
ALL OF YOU
at Manasquan High School (167 Broad Street, Manasquan, NJ 08736)
Thurs. Oct. 22 @ 7pm | Fri. Oct. 23 @ 7pm
NOVEMBER
PUFFS
at St. John Vianney (540 A-Line Road, Holmdel, NJ 07737)
Thurs. Nov. 5 @7pm | Fri. Nov. 6 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 7 @ 2pm | Sat. Nov. 7 @ 7pm
THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER
at Christian Brothers Academy (850 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738)
Fri. Nov. 6 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 7 @ 7pm | Sun. Nov. 8 @ 2pm | Thurs. Nov. 12 @ 5pm | Fri. Nov. 13 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 14 @ 7pm
POWER PLAY
at Ranney School (235 Hope Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724)
Fri. Nov. 6 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 7 @ 7pm
THE CURIOUS SAVAGE
at Freehold Township High School (281 Elton-Adelphia Rd, Freehold, NJ 07728)
Wed. Nov. 11 @ 7pm | Fri. Nov. 13 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 14 @ 1pm | Sat. Nov. 14 @ 7pm
ELSEWHERE
at Allentown High School (27 High Street, Allentown NJ, 08501)
Thurs. Nov. 12 @ 7pm | Fri. Nov. 13 @ 7pm
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG
at Howell High School (405 Squankum Yellowbrook Road, Farmingdale, NJ 07727)
Thurs. Nov. 12 @ 6:30 pm | Fri. Nov. 13 @ 6:30 pm | Sat. Nov. 14 @ 6:30 pm
SHE KILLS MONSTERS
at Red Bank Regional High School (101 Ridge Road, Little Silver, NJ 07739)
Thurs. Nov. 12 @ 6:30 pm | Fri. Nov. 13 @ 6:30 pm | Sat. Nov. 14 @ 2pm | Sat. Nov. 14 @ 6:30 pm
THREE MUSKETEERS, ALL SWASH AND NO BUCKLE
at Freehold High School (2 Robertsville Road, Freehold, NJ 07728)
Fri. Nov. 13 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 14 @ 1pm | Sat. Nov. 14 @ 7pm
HOW TO GET AWAY WITH A MURDER MYSTERY
at Keansburg High School (140 Port Monmouth Rd, Keansburg, NJ 07734)
Fri. Nov. 13 @ 6:30pm | Sat. Nov. 14 @ 6:30pm
A CHRISTMAS CHAOS
at Collier High School (160 Conover Road, Wickatunk, NJ 07765)
Thurs. Nov. 19 @ 6pm
PETER AND THE STARCATCHER
at Holmdel High School (36 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733)
Thurs. Nov. 19 @ 7pm | Fri. Nov. 20 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 21 @ 7pm
WHERE IS CAPTAIN AHAB’S LEG? (or, Konstantin Gavrilovich Harpooned Himself)
at Middletown High School SOUTH (900 Nut Swamp Road, Middletown, NJ 07748)
Thurs. Nov. 19 @ 7pm | Fri. Nov. 20 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 21 @ 7pm
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
at Ocean Township High School (550 W Park Ave, Oakhurst, NJ 07755)
Thurs. Nov. 19 @ 7pm | Fri. Nov. 20 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 21 @ 7pm
THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW
at Raritan High School (419 Middle Road, Hazlet, NJ 07730)
Thurs. Nov. 19 @ 7pm | Fri. Nov. 20 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 21 @ 2pm | Sat. Nov. 21 @ 7pm
ODYSSEUS DIES AT THE END
Presented by Trinity Hall at Brookdale Community College Performing Arts Center (765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, New Jersey 07738)
Thurs. Nov. 19 @ 7:30 pm | Fri. Nov. 20 @ 7:30 pm | Sat. Nov. 21 @ 2:30 pm
FAILURE: A LOVE STORY
at Wall High School (1630 18th Ave Wall Township, NJ 07719)
Thurs. Nov. 19 @ 7pm | Fri. Nov. 20 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 21 @ 1pm | Sat. Nov. 21 @ 5pm
THE ODD COUPLE (Female Version)
at Colts Neck High School (59 Five Points Road, Colts Neck, NJ 07722)
Fri. Nov. 20 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 21 @ 7pm
RIDE THE CYCLONE: School Edition
at Henry Hudson High School (1 Grand Tour, Highlands, NJ 07732)
Fri. Nov. 20 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 21 @ 2pm | Sat. Nov. 21 @ 7pm
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
at Manalapan High School (20 Church Lane, Manalapan, NJ 07726)
Fri. Nov. 20 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 21 @ 1pm | Sat. Nov. 21 @ 7pm
ROGUES’ GALLERY
at Marlboro High School (95 N Main Street, Marlboro, NJ 07746)
Fri. Nov. 20 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 21 @ 7pm | Sun. Nov. 22 @ 2pm
THE GREAT GATSBY
at Middletown High School NORTH (63 Tindall Road, Middletown, NJ 07748)
Fri. Nov. 20 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 21 @ 7pm
PETER AND THE STARCATCHER
at Neptune High School (55 Neptune Blvd, Neptune City, NJ 07753)
Fri. Nov. 20 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 21 @ 7pm
THE CRUCIBLE
at Red Bank Catholic High School (112 Broad Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701)
Fri. Nov. 20 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 21 @ 7pm
RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELLA: Youth Edition
at Rumson-Fair Haven High School (74 Ridge Road, Rumson, NJ 07760)
Fri. Nov. 20 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 21 @ 7pm | Sun. Nov. 22 @ 2pm
DECEMBER
INTO THE BREECHES
at Matawan Regional High School (450 Atlantic Avenue, Aberdeen Township, NJ 07747)
Thurs. Dec. 3 @7pm | Fri. Dec. 4 @ 7pm | Sat. Dec. 5 @ 7pm | Sun. Dec. 6 @ 2pm
ANNIE
at Monmouth Regional High School (1 Norman J Field Way, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724)
Thurs. Dec. 3 @ 7pm | Fri. Dec. 4 @ 7pm | Sat. Dec. 5 @ 7pm
PUFFS
at High Technology High School (765 Newman Springs Rd, Lincroft, NJ 07738)
Fri. Dec. 4 @ 6:30pm
PUFFS
at Shore Regional High School (132 Monmouth Park Highway, West Long Branch, NJ 07764)
Fri. Dec. 4 @ 7pm | Sat. Dec. 5 @ 7pm | Sun. Dec. 6 @ 2pm