Schools

The Basie Awards: Winners on Stage

Winners from Wednesday night's seventh annual Basie Awards, an event that recognizes high school performing arts.

For the seventh year, the has helped enrich and promote high school theater by recognizing the county's best performances with the Basie Awards. 

As the years have progressed, so too has the reach of the Basie Awards. When Numa Saisselin, CEO of the Count Basie Theatre, developed the Basie Awards seven years ago, 15 schools participated.

This year 24 schools from all over Monmouth County took part in evaluation process, which as also grown over the years, from 25 during the first Basie Awards season to more than 40.

Find out what's happening in Rumson-Fair Havenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

With nearly every seat of the 1,400-seat theater filled with students, parents, and faculty members, Wednesday night, Basie Awards were handed out to the winners of 26 categories split between dramas and musicals.

R-FH took home some impressive awards. And, Fair Haven resdent Diane Mannion took home a lifetime achievement award for her work in developing an arts program at High Technology High School.

Find out what's happening in Rumson-Fair Havenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Check out the gallery above for images from the Basie Awards.

Complete list of Basie Award drama winners:

• Outstanding Stage Direction in a Drama ~ Anthony Greco - Monmouth Regional High School - The 39 Steps  

• Outstanding Production - Drama ~ Monmouth Regional High School - The 39 Steps - Anthony Greco 

• Outstanding Set Design in a Drama ~ Middletown High School South - The Rimers of Eldritch - Alexis Kozak   

• Outstanding Lighting Design in a Drama ~ Monmouth Regional High School - The 39 Steps - David Ahlers  

• Carole Malik Award for Outstanding Costume Design in a Drama ~ Middletown High School South - The Rimers of Eldritch - Jacqueline Mazza  

• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama ~ Kelly Lozo - Middletown High School South - The Rimers of Eldritch  

• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama ~ Chris Dubrow - Red Bank Regional High School - A Midsummer Night’s Dream  

• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama ~ Nick D'Ambrosia - Monmouth Regional High School - The 39 Steps  

• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama ~ Victoria Keiser - Raritan High School - Alice In Wonderland  

• Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama ~ Phil Limeri - Mater Dei Prep - Almost, Maine

Complete list of Basie Award musical winners:

• Outstanding Stage Direction in a Musical ~ Andrew De Prisco - Red Bank Catholic High School - Into The Woods  

• Outstanding Production ~ Musical Red Bank Catholic High School - Into The Woods - Andrew De Prisco 

• Outstanding Set Design in a Musical ~ Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School Jekyll & Hyde - Dino Pagano and Suzanne Sweeney   

• Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical ~ Ocean Township High School - Miss Saigon - George Ripley and Victoria Cascaes

• Carole Malik Award for Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical ~ Red Bank Catholic High School - Into The Woods - Fred Mayo, Debra Thime and Fred Sorrentino  

• Outstanding Musical Direction ~ Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School - Jekyll & Hyde - Bill Grillo and Vincent Mottern

• Outstanding Choreography in a Musical ~ Matawan Regional High School - Guys And Dolls - Julie Takacs McKurth

• Outstanding Ensemble Group in a Musical ~ Matawan Regional High School - Guys And Dolls - The Gamblers

• Outstanding Featured Ensemble Performer in a Musical ~ Uzo Amuzie - Matawan Regional High School - Guys And Dolls  

• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical Chloe Chalakani ~ Shore Regional High School - Annie Get Your Gun  

• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical ~ Richard Huy - Ocean Township High School - Miss Saigon  

• Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical ~ Mark Regan, Jr. - Red Bank Catholic High School - Into The Woods  

• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical ~ Kayla Ryder - Matawan Regional High School - Guys And Dolls  

• Outstanding Chorus in a Musical ~ Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School - Jekyll & Hyde  

• Outstanding Student/Adult Orchestra ~ Musical - Red Bank Catholic High School - Into The Woods - Shawn Mack 

• Outstanding All Student Orchestra ~ Musical - Freehold High School - Little Shop of Horrors - Pamela Massimini

* Lifetime Achievement Award ~ Diane Mannion


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here