RED BANK, NJ — Count Basie has officially announced the winners of the 21st 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.
“Once again, the Basie Awards have showcased one of the most vibrant high school theater communities in the state,” said Samantha Giustiniani, Vice President, Education and Outreach, 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 theatre community has to offer.”
In addition to celebrating local talent, the ‘Basies’ presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to Senator Vin Gopal, who was honored for his steadfast support of the performing arts and the Count Basie Center itself.
“Senator Gopal is a leader who believes in the power of arts education and in the importance of investing in young people, creativity, and community,” said Adam Philipson, President and CEO, Count Basie Center for the Arts.
“The arts are an important part of our lives, and a vital part of a healthy community,” Philipson continued. “And none of the work we do would be possible without advocates like Vin Gopal, who champion the arts by supporting and inspiring those who make it happen.”
This year marked the 21st year of the Basie Awards. In line with the theme of the Count Basie Center’s Centennial Celebration, the program celebrated not only this year’s nominees, but past award winners and students of the Basie Center’s Turner Academy of the Arts – perhaps the next generation of theatre stars.
A total of 53 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:
EVALUATORS SPECIAL AWARD
CAROLE MALIK AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN OF A PLAY
OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN OF A PLAY
OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN OF A PLAY
OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE-IDENTIFIED ROLE: COMEDY
OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MALE-IDENTIFIED ROLE: COMEDY
OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE-IDENTIFIED ROLE: DRAMA
OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MALE-IDENTIFIED ROLE: DRAMA
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE-IDENTIFIED ROLE: COMEDY
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MALE-IDENTIFIED ROLE: COMEDY
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE-IDENTIFIED ROLE: DRAMA
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MALE-IDENTIFIED ROLE: DRAMA
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE-IDENTIFIED ROLE: COMEDY
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MALE-IDENTIFIED ROLE: COMEDY
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE-IDENTIFIED ROLE: DRAMA
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MALE-IDENTIFIED ROLE: DRAMA
OUTSTANDING COMPANY IN A COMEDY
OUTSTANDING COMPANY IN A DRAMA
OUTSTANDING STAGE + TECH CREW OF A PLAY
OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A PLAY
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
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.
CAROLE MALIK AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
OUTSTANDING ALL STUDENT ORCHESTRA
OUTSTANDING MIXED STUDENT + ADULT ORCHESTRA
AMY GIINTHER FREDERICKS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DIRECTION
OUTSTANDING FEATURED ENSEMBLE GROUP
OUTSTANDING CHORUS IN A MUSICAL
OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY
OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE-IDENTIFIED ROLE: MUSICAL
OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MALE-IDENTIFIED ROLE: MUSICAL
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE-IDENTIFIED ROLE: MUSICAL
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MALE-IDENTIFIED ROLE: MUSICAL
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A FEMALE-IDENTIFIED ROLE: MUSICAL (TIE)
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MALE-IDENTIFIED ROLE: MUSICAL (TIE)
OUTSTANDING STAGE + TECH CREW OF A MUSICAL
OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
Count Basie evaluators travel the county visiting towns of every size, but they frequently find something uniquely special in our smaller school communities. These programs define inclusivity: every student finds a place in the cast, and production roles are often led by student-multitaskers who do it all. They consistently remind us that "small" is just a size — not a limit. The Basie is proud to recognize these communities for the magic they create both onstage and off; they remain truly deserving of our recognition.
OUTSTANDING SMALL SCHOOL PRODUCTION
The Basie also recognizes there are student contributions that do not fit neatly into "eligible nominated categories." For the past few years, it has celebrated programs or schools that are either entirely run by students or in which an overwhelming majority of the production staff roles are held by students.
OUTSTANDING STUDENT-LED PRODUCTION
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
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