Philanthropists and arts advocates Fran and Paul Turner receive Lifetime Achievement honors;
1500+ pack the Basie Center’s historic theater for annual awards ceremony

(RED BANK | MAY 21, 2025) Winners were announced this evening at the 20th 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.

“Year after year, the annual Basie Awards demonstrate that the talent here in Monmouth County is truly second to none,” said Samantha Giustiniani, Vice President, Education and Outreach, Count Basie Center for the Arts. “This year’s high school productions were outstanding, and the crowd that gathered tonight and the administrators, teachers and students themselves who showed up to cheer each other on… it speaks volumes for how meaningful and uniting the performing arts can be for the community.”

In addition to celebrating local talent, the ‘Basies’ presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to philanthropists and arts advocates Fran and Paul Turner. In a video celebrating their award, Broadway star and musician Josh Groban told the Turners, “Your contributions and your passion for the arts and for arts education has made sure that so many incredible students and artists around the country have been able to do what they do.”

“We honored Fran and Paul Turner with a Lifetime Achievement award this evening,” noted Count Basie Center President and CEO Adam Philipson. “But the truth is their generosity will allow for achievements by so many others exploring their interest in the arts. We are grateful for their dedication to the Basie Center, and we were honored to celebrate that dedication here tonight.”

This year marked the ‘Basies’ 20^th anniversary, and featured appearances by dozens of past Basie Awards nominees and winners.  Jake Golbas, Deputy Director of Groban’s Find Your Light Foundation and celebrated actress and SAG-AFTRA National Board member Michelle Hurd were also on hand as presenters for several of the evening’s awards.

A total of 52 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

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 theatres and schools.
Winner: COLLIER HIGH SCHOOL

CAROLE MALIK AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN OF A PLAY          
Winner: EMILY KASTER (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, RADIUM GIRLS)

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN OF A PLAY
Winner: ROBERT RUTT + JORDAN BERKE (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND)

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN OF A PLAY     
Winner: CHRIS SCHOLES + GAVIN SCHMEDES (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, THESE SHINING LIVES)

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY
Winner: GIAVANNA ANTICO (RANNEY SCHOOL, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING)

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY
Winner: ALLISON LINDLEY (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, LEADING LADIES)

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA
Winner: GIANNA FERNANDEZ (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, THE GREAT GATSBY)

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA 
Winner: PHOENIX MEDINA (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, THESE SHINING LIVES)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY
Winner: ANNA ACCARDI (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY
Winner: JONATHAN STUBBS (RANNEY SCHOOL, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA
(TIE) | Winners:
ESSENCE NERO-DAVIS (COLLIER SCHOOL, RADIUM GIRLS)
GABRIELLA TRUETT (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, ROMEO AND JULIET)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA
Winner: HENRY GRIFFITH (TRINITY HALL, LITTLE WOMEN)

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY
Winner: VERONICA GIRANDOLA (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, PUFFS)

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY
Winner: MICHAEL UZZI (RANNEY SCHOOL, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING)

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA
Winner: AVA ROMANO (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, RADIUM GIRLS)

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA
Winner: JAY LAZEN (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

OUTSTANDING COMPANY IN A COMEDY
Winner: COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, SUITE SURRENDER

OUTSTANDING COMPANY IN A DRAMA
Winner: ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, THESE SHINING LIVES

OUTSTANDING STAGE + TECH CREW OF A PLAY
Winner: CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, CLUE

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A PLAY
Winner: CHELSEA GOWER (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, MACHINAL)

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
Winner: OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, MACHINAL

MUSICALS

EVALUATORS SPECIAL AWARD: KATE SCHWEIKERT, TRINITY HALL, THE HELLO GIRLS

EVALUATORS SPECIAL AWARD:  ANNIKA RAJ, BIOTECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

CAROLE MALIK AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
Winner: MAGGIE HAVENS + LUCY KENNEDY (TRINITY HALL, THE HELLO GIRLS)

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
Winner: ASHLEY BASILE (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH)

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
Winner: ASHLEY HOUCK (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH)

OUTSTANDING ALL STUDENT ORCHESTRA
Winner: MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, FOOTLOOSE

OUTSTANDING MIXED STUDENT + ADULT ORCHESTRA
Winner: HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, SPAMALOT

AMY GIINTHER FREDERICKS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DIRECTION
Winner: MIKE KABASH + LAUREN BRANCATO (TRINITY HALL, THE HELLO GIRLS)

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ENSEMBLE GROUP
Winner: THE URCHINS (OCEAN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS)

OUTSTANDING CHORUS IN A MUSICAL
Winner: FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, LEGALLY BLONDE

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY
Winner: LIZA PERNA DE ALMEIDA (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, FOOTLOOSE)

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL
Winner: ZELDA GOLLAND (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH)

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL
Winner: COOPER STAHL (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, SPAMALOT)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL
(TIE) | Winners:
BANDAID ISSACS-RODRIGUEZ (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, SPAMALOT)
JHA’NAE LEGRANDE (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, THE WEDDING SINGER)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL 
Winner: JP SHIMKUS (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, TWELFTH NIGHT)

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL
Winner: HENRIETTE PONS (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, PIPPIN)

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL
Winner: GABRIEL DELIMA (LONG BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL, IN THE HEIGHTS)

OUTSTANDING STAGE + TECH CREW OF A MUSICAL
Winner: FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, LEGALLY BLONDE

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL
Winner: ELLEN PHILLIPS (TRINITY HALL, THE HELLO GIRLS)

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
Winner: TRINITY HALL, THE HELLO GIRLS

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

This year, the Basie Awards shined 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 recognized 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

OUTSTANDING STUDENT-LED MUSICAL
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 to their productions:

Abiageal McBee | Middletown High School North • Alivia Pisane | Ranney School • Anastasia Martinez | Matawan Regional High School • Ava Santamaria | Trinity Hall • Eli McDaniel | Howell High School • Emilia Koenigsmark  | Middletown High School North • Essence Nero-Davis | Collier School • Georgia Watt | Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School • Gianna DiLascia | Trinity Hall • Jacqueline Farkas | St. John Vianney High School • Jessica MacKown | Manasquan High School • Johanna Icasiano | Red Bank Catholic High School • Kaeleigh MacLennan | Neptune High School • Kaitlyn Corpuz | Neptune High School • Kaylen Sanford | Middletown High School North • Lake Gulian | Henry Hudson Regional High School •  Leilani Rollines | Ocean Township High School • Lilakoi Grover | Middletown High School North • Luciana D’Andrea | Trinity Hall • Matthew Alquiros | Keyport High School • Micah Seiler | Ranney School • Nadia Kim | Biotechnology High School • Olivia Devaney | Raritan High School • Reilly Moini | Ranney School • Shayna Amundarain | Red Bank Catholic High School • Sophia deSimas | Keyport High School • Zainah Allan | Holmdel High School