Nominees Announced for the 2024 Basie Awards Celebrating High School Theater in Monmouth County

The 2024 Basie Awards annual celebration, set to take place on May 22 at the Count Basie Center for the Arts, have revealed the nominees out multiple submissions of Monmouth County High School comedies, dramas and musicals from the 2023-2024 season.

Now in its 19^th year, the Basie Awards program is modeled after the TONY™ Awards and evaluates musical and drama productions in high schools throughout Monmouth County. A rubric is used to assess performance in 25+ categories, recognizing excellence in everything from acting and directing to set and costume design, choreography, lighting, and orchestra.

“This year the Basie Awards shines a light on all that make a production happen both on and off the stage,” says Samantha Giustiniani, Vice President, Education and Outreach, Count Basie Center for the Arts. “We are excited to celebrate and uplift our participating schools at this year’s ceremony and once again look forward to one of the biggest nights of the year at the Basie Center.”

Tickets for this year’s presentation are on sale now through theBASIE.org, the Basie Center box office or via phone at 732-842-9000.

This year, 22 comedies / dramas and 26 musicals were evaluated by the Basie Awards nomination committee, producing nominations in the following categories:

DRAMAS & COMEDIES

CAROLE MALIK AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN OF A PLAY

• CATHERINE CLEARY (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE SOMEWHAT TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD)
• JACKIE FASANO (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW)
• KATHRYN MASLAK (RANNEY SCHOOL, SHE KILLS MONSTERS)
• LAURA MAZZA (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, THE REVENGE OF THE SPACE PANDAS)
• LUCY KENNEDY (TRINITY HALL, THE LEARNED LADIES)

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN OF A PLAY

• ASHLEY BASILE (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW)
• KATHERINE CALAMUSA (TRINITY HALL, THE LEARNED LADIES)
• ALEX DOHAN (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, ALMOST, MAINE)
• DAVE NIEMIEROWSKI (COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, LEND ME A TENOR)
• ROBERT RUTT (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM)

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN OF A PLAY

• ANTHONY ABBOUD (RANNEY SCHOOL, SHE KILLS MONSTERS) 
• ASHLEY HOUCK (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW) 
• CONNOR NARDIELLO + LOGAN JAVIER (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE)  
• ROBERT RUTT (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM)
• GRACE SULLIVAN (TRINITY HALL, THE LEARNED LADIES)

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY

• CALLIE BARRETT (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM)
• GABI LEVINE (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, ALMOST, MAINE)  
• ELIZABETH MATTHEWS (MONMOUTH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, SHE KILLS MONSTERS)
• FRANCESCA RANUCCI (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM)        
• GRACE VORHEES (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, RUMORS)               

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
MIA BRAMLEY (MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, DEATH BY DESSERT)          
KAYLA BROWN (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, MIDSUMMER/JERSEY)               
EMILY COOKE (MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL, RUMORS)                                              

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY 

• AVA BRUNO (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE SOMEWHAT TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD)          
• QUINN CHAPMAN (MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, DEATH BY DESSERT)   
• ALLISON DASSLER (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE SOMEWHAT TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD)
• PEYTON KANASKA (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, PUFFS)           
• CONNOR PASZKIWICZ (MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL, RUMORS)               

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
BRIANNA MARTINEZ (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, PUFFS)       
ALTAN YALAMA (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, THE REVENGE OF THE SPACE PANDAS)                      

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA 

• KATIE BAUER (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LION, THE WITCH, & THE WARDROBE)          
• ELEANOR DOWNEY (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, DRACULA)          
• MORDEKAI FELICIANO (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, DRACULA)
• JULIANA HARARY (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY)                        
• EMILY TURNER (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, DRACULA)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
ROMY GRAU-GOPALA (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW)     
ANNIE KISSINGER (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY)                        

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA 

• MOLLY BARTRAM (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY)       
• JULIAN BIBB (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, DRACULA)       
• SEAN BUSK (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW)        
• AIDAN CARSCADDEN (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LION, THE WITCH, & THE WARDROBE)            
• JORDYN JAVARUSKI (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY)    

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY

• GEMMA FORMISANO (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE SOMEWHAT TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD)               
• VERONICA GIRANDOLA (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, ALMOST MAINE)
• ALEXANDRA RISI (COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, LEND ME A TENOR)          
• KATE SCHWEIKERT (TRINITY HALL, THE LEARNED LADIES)         
• PARSVI SHAH (RANNEY SCHOOL, SHE KILLS MONSTERS)            

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
DELANEY CORRIGAN (TRINITY HALL, THE LEARNED LADIES)
AVA DOHAN (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, ALMOST MAINE)    
LIZA MADORE (COMMUNICATIONS HIGH SCHOOL, CLUE)         
ALICE GREGORY (COLLIER HIGH SCHOOL, ALMOST, MAINE)      

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY

• FRANKIE DIGE (COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, LEND ME A TENOR)              
• DANIEL LOGES (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, ALMOST MAINE)
• CHRISTIAN STONE (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE SOMEWHAT TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD)
• MICHAEL UZZI (RANNEY SCHOOL, SHE KILLS MONSTERS)          
• LUCAS WILSON (TRINITY HALL, THE LEARNED LADIES)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
JAY FIELDING (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, THE REVENGE OF THE SPACE PANDAS)           
JASON LAVERY (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, MIDSUMMER/JERSEY)                
ELLIOT MAHER (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, MIDSUMMER/JERSEY)               

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA

• NICOLE DIBLASI (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LION, THE WITCH, & THE WARDROBE)     
• CAROLINE LIEDEL (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LION, THE WITCH, & THE WARDROBE)  
• MICHAELA MUNGIELLO (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, 12 ANGRY JURORS)  
• ANNIKA RAJ (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LION, THE WITCH, & THE WARDROBE)            
• BROOKE SLISHINSKI (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, DRACULA)          

HONORABLE MENTION:
CAROLINE LANG (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA 

• ROCCO IMPREVEDUTO (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LION, THE WITCH, & THE WARDROBE)        
• LOUIS RAMIREZ (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY)           
• BRYAN REIMERTZ (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY)       
• SIMON ROCHE (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, 12 ANGRY JURORS)  
• LIAM SMITH (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW)      

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
COOPER BILSLAND (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LION, THE WITCH, & THE WARDROBE)
JAKE FREDERICKS (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW)

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY 

• HAILEY BLUM (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE SOMEWHAT TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD)        
• LORRAINE LOMBARDO (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE SOMEWHAT TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD)               
• MAEBH MCCARTHY (TRINITY HALL, THE LEARNED LADIES)       
• SARAH MOSER (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM)    
• JOY OGUNSAKIN (TRINITY HALL, THE LEARNED LADIES)             

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
LINDSAY BERLINER (RANNEY SCHOOL, SHE KILLS MONSTERS)   
EMILY RAE JOHNS (TRINITY HALL, THE LEARNED LADIES)          

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – COMEDY 

• JUSTIN ATNES (RANNEY SCHOOL, SHE KILLS MONSTERS)           
• CAMERON LIEB (MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, DEATH BY DESSERT)        
• MICHAEL MAKAR (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM)               
• CONNOR COLSON (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE SOMEWHAT TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD)
• LUCAS RIZZUTO CANERO (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, PUFFS)               

HONORABLE MENTION:
MATTHEW GOTTFRIED (MONMOUTH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, SHE KILLS MONSTERS)    

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA 

• GEORGIA ATTARDI (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE)     
• JACQUELINE FARKAS (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, 12 ANGRY JURORS)       
• JESSICA HEITMANN (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY)    
• KATIANA PARMAN (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, DRACULA)            
• GABRIELA POSTIGO (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LION, THE WITCH, & THE WARDROBE)              

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – DRAMA 

• COLE BARTOLOTTI (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY)      
• JACK DOWNEY (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, DRACULA)   
• JAMES NARDIELLO (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE)     
• ANDREW POGGI (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, 12 ANGRY JURORS)              
• EMMETT SMITHOUSER (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, 12 ANGRY JURORS)  

OUTSTANDING COMPANY IN A COMEDY

• COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, LEND ME A TENOR
• MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, DEATH BY DESSERT       
• MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, THE REVENGE OF THE SPACE PANDAS      
• RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE SOMEWHAT TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD                    
• TRINITY HALL, THE LEARNED LADIES              

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
COMMUNICATIONS HIGH SCHOOL, CLUE
FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, GRANDMOTHER TALES
NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, RUMORS                                 

OUTSTANDING COMPANY IN A DRAMA

• HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LION, THE WITCH, & THE WARDROBE
• MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY
• RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, DRACULA
• RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW
• ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, 12 ANGRY JURORS

HONORABLE MENTION:
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE                                                                                           


OUTSTANDING STAGE + TECH CREW OF A PLAY

• CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE
• COMMUNICATIONS HIGH SCHOOL, CLUE
• FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, ALMOST MAINE
• MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, THE REVENGE OF THE SPACE PANDAS
• RANNEY SCHOOL, SHE KILLS MONSTERS

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
COLLIER HIGH SCHOOL, ALMOST, MAINE      
MONMOUTH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, SHE KILLS MONSTERS
RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM                                                                   

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A PLAY

• AMANDA FARIA (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY)          
• ALANA HERRON (COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, LEND ME A TENOR)          
• KATHRYN MASLAK (RANNEY SCHOOL, SHE KILLS MONSTERS)   
• ELLEN PHILLIPS (TRINITY HALL, THE LEARNED LADIES)
• GIVANNA ROBBINS (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, ALMOST MAINE)
• KASIANN SWEENEY (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE SOMEWHAT TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD)               

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A PLAY

• COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, LEND ME A TENOR
• FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, ALMOST MAINE
• RANNEY SCHOOL, SHE KILLS MONSTERS
• RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE SOMEWHAT TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD
• TRINITY HALL, THE LEARNED LADIES                                              

MUSICALS

CAROLE MALIK AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN OF A MUSICAL

• CATHERINE CLEARY (FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE WOMEN)             
• KELLY GEMELLARO ( RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY)               
• LAURA MAZZA (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, THE WEDDING SINGER)    
• JACQUELINE REVIER (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, SHREK)
• MELANIE TAYLOR (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY)

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN OF A MUSICAL

• ASHLEY BASILE (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, MAMMA MIA!)   
• KEVIN GUNTHER (FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE WOMEN)  
• AMANDA LOGUIRATO (MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST)
• KERRY MCBRIDE + ADAM PETRIELLA (MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, INTO THE WOODS)
• GLEN SWINDELL (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, LES MISÉRABLES)                   

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN OF A MUSICAL

• ANDREW D’AGOSTINO (ST. ROSE HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS)       
• BOBBI RENE FULLERTON (MONMOUTH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, GODSPELL)    
• CONNOR NARDIELLO (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL)        
• JUSTIN ODON (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, LES MISÉRABLES)       
• KYLE SANTOPADRE (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY)     

OUTSTANDING SMALL MUSIC ENSEMBLE

• CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL
• FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE WOMEN    
• HIGH TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL, ALL SHOOK UP
• RANNEY SCHOOL, MEAN GIRLS       
• TRINITY HALL, FIREBRINGER                              

OUTSTANDING MIXED STUDENT + ADULT ORCHESTRA

• COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE             
• HENRY HUDSON HIGH SCHOOL, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE     
• HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, SHREK        
• MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST               
• RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY           

OUTSTANDING ALL STUDENT ORCHESTRA

• FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, BYE BYE BIRDIE               
• HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE WOMEN     
• LONG BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL, MAMMA MIA!
• MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, THE WEDDING SINGER  
• NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, LES MISÉRABLES                    

AMY GIINTHER FREDERICKS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DIRECTION

• MELODY BLASSENHEIM (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY)       
• VICTORIA BORELLI (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, MAMMA MIA!)             
• ERIC GROSS (FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE WOMEN)           
• PETER ISHERWOOD (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN)
• ERIN RADVANSKI (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, LES MISÉRABLES)  

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ENSEMBLE GROUP

• THE GANGSTERS (COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE)           
• SWEET APPLE TEENS (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, BYE BYE BIRDIE)      
• FAIRYTALE CREATURES (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, SHREK)           
• THE PLASTICS (RANNEY SCHOOL, MEAN GIRLS)           
• RENO’S ANGELS (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, ANYTHING GOES)        

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
LADIES IN WAITING (KEANSBURG HIGH SCHOOL, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS)        
DISCIPLES (MONMOUTH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, GODSPELL)               

OUTSTANDING CHORUS IN A MUSICAL

• COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE             
• MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN 
• MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, THE WEDDING SINGER  
• RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY      
• NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, LES MISÉRABLES

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL  
LONG BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL, MAMMA MIA!              
RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, MAMMA MIA!  

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY

• DONNA BATTAGLIA (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, ANYTHING GOES) 
• ARIELLE BOUSANTI (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, THE WEDDING SINGER)            
• ARIANA CENTAMORE (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, BYE BYE BIRDIE)     
• KELLY GEMELLARO (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY)
• TARA MAHONEY (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN)               

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL 

• MOLLY BARTRAM (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN)             
• LINDSAY BERLINER (RANNEY SCHOOL, MEAN GIRLS)  
• NATALIE BRIGGS (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, BYE BYE BIRDIE)              
• ESTHER FOSU (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, BETWEEN THE LINES)         
• MAEBH MCCARTHY (TRINITY HALL, FIREBRINGER)       

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
JACQUELINE FARKAS (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, EMMA! A POP MUSICAL)             
SIENNA HOOK (MONMOUTH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, GODSPELL)
VIKTOR SQUICCIARINI (KEANSBURG HIGH SCHOOL, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS)

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL 

• VINCENT ARMENTI (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL)           
• COLTEN CARUSO (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN)               
• BRAD CHAPMAN (MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, INTO THE WOODS)
• MAUREEN DONOVAN (TRINITY HALL, FIREBRINGER)   
• CAMERON LIEB (MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, INTO THE WOODS)         

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
ANDREW GUZMAN (LONG BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL, MAMMA MIA!)       
DEVIN PASQUELLA (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, LES MISÉRABLES)               
IZEAH WHITLEY (MONMOUTH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, GODSPELL)                    

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL 

• KATIE BAUER (HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE WOMEN)
• ELLE BRANDT (RANNEY SCHOOL, MEAN GIRLS)           
• JESSICA HEITMANN (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN)          
• ELIZABETH PODLASKI (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, LES MISÉRABLES)          
• SHAIN STANLEY (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, BYE BYE BIRDIE)               

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
ARIA CARPENTER (KEYPORT HIGH SCHOOL, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL)
LYDIA SMITH (HENRY HUDSON HIGH SCHOOL, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE)           
AVA USATIN (HIGH TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL, ALL SHOOK UP)           

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL 

• JAMES NARDIELLO (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL)            
• BRYAN REIMERTZ (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN)             
• JOSEPH SCIORTINO (RANNEY SCHOOL, MEAN GIRLS) 
• JP SHIMKUS (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL)        
• LUCAS WILSON (RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, MAMMA MIA!)   

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
JON MARTENS (RANNEY SCHOOL, MEAN GIRLS)          
PURVIS WHITE (LONG BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL, MAMMA MIA!)
COOPER WOJTAK (RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY)        

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL 

• HAILEY BLUM (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, ANYTHING GOES)            
• ISABELLA CHAGARES (RANNEY SCHOOL, MEAN GIRLS)              
• CAILIN HOLLEY (FREEHOLD HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE WOMEN)     
• GABRIELLA LOBOSCO (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY)            
• RIYA PAWAR (MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST)    

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
SOFIA CAMMARANO (ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, EMMA! A POP MUSICAL)             
AVA ROMANO (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, THE WEDDING SINGER)                     
SHANNON WHITE (ST. ROSE HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS)

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE – MUSICAL 

• QUINN CHAPMAN (MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, INTO THE WOODS)
• ELLIOT MAHER (HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, SHREK)         
• LUCAS RIZZUTO CANERO (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, BETWEEN THE LINES)
• CHRISTIAN STONE (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, ANYTHING GOES)    
• RJ VANDENBROUCK (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY)              

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
LUCENDER JOHN (NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL, LES MISÉRABLES)  
AEDAN LIRANZO (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, THE WEDDING SINGER) 
DANIEL LOGES (FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, BYE BYE BIRDIE)                  

OUTSTANDING STAGE + TECH CREW OF A MUSICAL

• CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL 
• KEYPORT HIGH SCHOOL, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL
• MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST               
• RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY           
• ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, EMMA! A POP MUSICAL

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
HENRY HUDSON HIGH SCHOOL, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE      
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, BYE BYE BIRDIE
ST. ROSE HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS                    

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL

• ALEXIS KOZAK (MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, THE WEDDING SINGER)
• JEANNE MONTANO (RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY)               
• MADDI SCHILLE (MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, INTO THE WOODS)         
• KASIANN SWEENEY (RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, ANYTHING GOES)  
• LINDA WALLING (MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, BETWEEN THE LINES)     

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL

• MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, INTO THE WOODS        
• MATAWAN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, BETWEEN THE LINES     
• MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH, THE WEDDING SINGER  
• RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY      
• RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, ANYTHING GOES        

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

This year, the Basie Awards will shine 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 recognize 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 PRODUCTION

• CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL
• COMMUNICATIONS HIGH SCHOOL, CLUE
• HIGH TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL, ALL SHOOK UP
• MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL, DEATH BY DESSERT
• TRINITY HALL, FIREBRINGER

OUTSTANDING STUDENT LEADERSHIP

Several student leaders were nominated by their teachers as having gone above and beyond to lead by example, paving the way for incredible contributions which may not always be seen by the audience and our evaluators.  We will reveal and recognize the students onstage on May 22.