The Basie Awards

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.

Participation is free, and the program is open to both public and private high schools in Monmouth County.

Eligible productions may run October 2nd, 2023 through April 21st, 2024

THE PROCESS + IMPORTANT DATES TO KNOW:

Register your school to participate in the 2023-24 Basie Awards using this form.

You will receive a confirmation email, and further details will be shared for you to submit candidates for performance and technical award categories.

Based on your submission, four adjudicators are sent to performances (based on schedule and availability). Adjudicators score all eligible categories and create a written evaluation of the production.

Fall production evaluations are shared in mid January.

Spring production evaluations are shared in late April.

Nominees for the 2023-2024 season will be announced on April 30, 2024.

Join us for the 19th Annual Basie Awards presented by BANK OF AMERICA on May 22nd 2024

Tickets will go on sale in late April.

For questions or more information, please email [email protected]


COMING THIS FALL IN MONMOUTH COUNTY’S HIGH SCHOOLS!

OCTOBER

DEATH BY DESSERT
Fri. Oct. 20 @ 6pm | Sat. Oct. 21 @ 6pm
Manasquan High School
167 Broad Street, Manasquan, NJ 08736

NOVEMBER

MIDSUMMER/JERSEY
Wed. Nov. 1 @ 7pm | Thurs. Nov. 2 @ 7pm | Fri. Nov. 3 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 4 @ 7pm
Howell High School
405 Squankum Yellowbrook Road, Farmingdale, NJ 07727
Tickets: $15
Tickets can be purchased before the performance at venue. Doors open at 6:30pm

GRANDMOTHER TALES: MUTSMAG AND ASHPET, TRADITIONAL TALES FROM THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS
Fri. Nov. 3 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 4 @ 3pm | Sat. Nov. 4 @ 7pm
Freehold High School
2 Robertsville Road, Freehold, NJ 07728

12 ANGRY JURORS
Thurs. Nov. 9 @ 7pm | Fri. Nov. 10 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 11 @ 2pm | Sat. Nov. 11 @ 7pm
Saint John Vianney High School
540 A-Line Road, Holmdel, NJ 07737
Tickets: $10 Students, Children, & Seniors; $15 Adults
Tickets can be purchased before the performance at sjvhs.booktix.net and at the door of each performance.

AND THEN THERE WERE NONE
Fri. Nov. 10 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 11 @ 7pm | Sun. Nov. 12 @ 2pm | Thurs. Nov. 16 @ 5pm | Fri. Nov. 17 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 18 @ 7pm
Christian Brothers Academy
850 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738
Tickets: $5 CBA students, $5 Senior Citizens, $7 Children (16 and under), $10 Adults
Tickets can be purchased at the door and online at cba.booktix.com

THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE
Thurs. Nov 16 @ 7pm | Fri. Nov 17 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov 18 @ 7pm
Holmdel High School
36 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
Tickets: $15 adults / $10 seniors / $5 students
Tickets are only available at the door and seating is general admission.

THE REVENGE OF THE SPACE PANDAS
Thurs. Nov 16 @ 7pm | Fri. Nov 17 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov 18 @ 7pm
Middletown High School South
900 Nut Swamp Road, Middletown, NJ 07748
All tickets: $10
Tickets can be purchased at mhss.booktix.com or at the door.

SHE KILLS MONSTERS
Thurs. Nov 16 @ 7pm | Fri. Nov 17 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov 18 @ 7pm
Monmouth Regional High School
1 Norman J Field Way, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tickets: $5 Students, $10 Adults
Tickets can be purchased before the performance at venue.

RUMORS
Thurs. Nov. 16 @ 7pm | Fri. Nov. 17 @ 7pm
Neptune High School
55 Neptune Blvd. Neptune NJ 07753
Tickets: $5 Students, $10 Adults
Tickets can be purchased via Ludus on school website

DRACULA
Thurs. Nov 16 @ 7pm | Fri. Nov 17 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov 18 @ 2pm | Sat. Nov 18 @ 7pm
Raritan High School
419 Middle Road, Hazlet, NJ 07730
Tickets: $12 each
Tickets can only be purchased online at https://raritansports.hometownticketing.com/embed/all?depts=3

THE LEARNED LADIES
Thurs. Nov 16 @ 7:30pm | Fri. Nov 17 @ 7:30pm | Sat. Nov 18 @ 2:30pm
Trinity Hall performing at Brookdale Community College
765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
Fri. Nov. 17 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 18 @ 2pm | Sat. Nov. 18 @ 7pm
Henry Hudson Regional High School
1 Grand Tour, Highlands NJ
Tickets: $10 Students, $15 Adults
Tickets can be purchased before the performance at venue AND/OR www.showtix4u.com and search HHRS

RUMORS
Fri. Nov 17 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov 18 @ 2pm | Sat. Nov 18 @ 7pm
Manalapan High School
20 Church Lane, Manalapan NJ
Tickets: $5 Students, $10 Adults
Tickets can be purchased at manalapan.booktix.com or at the door with cash only

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY
Fri. Nov. 17 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 18 @ 7pm
Middletown High School North Auditorium
63 Tindall Road, Middletown, NJ 07748
*Entrance to the theater is door 30
Tickets: $5 Students/Seniors, $10 Adults
Tickets can be purchased: before the performance at venue (cash or check only) AND/OR in advance by emailing [email protected] or calling 732-706-6061 ext. 1243
*As per district policy, no bags allowed

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Fri. Nov. 17 @ 7pm | Sat. Nov. 18 @ 7pm
Red Bank Catholic High School
112 Broad Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Tickets: $20 Adults, $10 Students
Ticket Link: https://our.show/red-bank-catholic-hs/35494

THE SOMEWHAT TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD
Fri. Nov 17 @ 7:30pm | Sat. Nov 18 @ 7:30pm | Sun. Nov 19 @ 2pm
Rumson-Fair Haven High School
74 Ridge Road, Rumson, NJ 07760

DECEMBER

LEND ME A TENOR
Thurs. Nov. 30 @ 7pm | Fri. Dec. 1 @ 7pm | Sat. Dec. 2 @ 7pm
Colts Neck High School
59 Five Points Road, Colts Neck, NJ 07722
Tickets: $12 General Admission
Tickets can be purchased before the performance at the auditorium door. Auditorium entrance is at the back of the school building.

ALMOST, MAINE
Thurs. Nov. 30 @ 7pm | Fri. Dec. 1 @ 7pm | Sat. Dec. 2 @ 2pm | Sat. Dec. 2 @ 7pm
Freehold Township High School
281 Elton-Adelphia Rd, Freehold, NJ 07728

THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW
Thurs. Nov. 30 @ 7pm | Fri. Dec. 1 @ 7pm | Sat. Dec. 2 @ 7pm | Sun. Dec. 3 @ 2pm
Red Bank Regional High School
101 Ridge Road, Little Silver, NJ 07739
Tickets: $15.00 adults online/$20.00 at the door and $10 Children
Tickets can be purchased: Online at RBRHSNJ.BOOKTIX.COM or at the venue.

CLUE: ON STAGE
Fri. Dec. 1 @ 6:30pm | Sat. Dec. 2 @ 6:30pm
Communications High School
1740 New Bedford Road, Wall, NJ 07719

SHE KILLS MONSTERS
Fri. Dec. 1 @ 7pm | Sat. Dec. 2 @ 7pm
Ranney School
235 Hope Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724

ALMOST, MAINE
Fri. Dec. 8 @ 7pm
Collier High School
160 Conover Road, Wickatunk, NJ 07765

PUFFS
Thurs. Dec. 7 @ 7pm | Fri. Dec. 8 @ 7pm | Sat. Dec. 9 @ 7pm | Sun. Dec. 10 @ 2pm
Matawan Regional High School
450 Atlantic Avenue, Aberdeen Township, NJ 07747