MATAWAN, NJ — Winners were announced Tuesday evening for the 21st annual Basie Awards, which honor the very best in Monmouth County high school theater.
Linda Walling, the theater teacher at Matawan Regional High School, won one of the night's top awards, as did high school student Lucas Rizzuto Canero, for his leading role in the school’s production of "Leap Of Faith" this year.
The ceremony took place at the historic Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, in what has become the biggest night of the year for area high school thespians.
“Once again, the Basie Awards have showcased one of the most vibrant high school theater communities in the state,” said Samantha Giustiniani, vice president of education and outreach at the Count Basie Center for the Arts. “The productions our adjudicators reviewed were outstanding, and tonight’s sold-out crowd of students, friends, family, teachers and administrators were treated to the very best in what our region’s theater community has to offer.”
A total of 53 high school productions were evaluated during the school year, with more than 80 nominees collected across various categories. Here are the two winners from Matawan Regional:
Linda Walling, the drama teacher at Matawan Regional High School: The Yvonne Lamb Scudiery Innovation award
Honoring educators and school programs who understand the importance of 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 theaters and schools.
Lucas Rizzuto-Canero, Matawan Regional High School: Won outstanding lead performance for a man in a musical, for his role in "Leap of Faith." He tied for this award with Caden Cregg-Wedmore at High Technology High School for his role in "Little Shop of Horrors."
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