Theater productions in the Freehold Regional High School District were among the Monmouth County high school productions that were honored during the 13th annual Basie Awards, held on May 23 at the Count Basie Center for the Arts, Red Bank.
The Basie Awards began in 2005 as a way to honor and recognize high school actors, actresses and productions in Monmouth County. This year, a record 22 dramas and 29 musical performances were evaluated by the Basie Awards nomination committee, according to a press release.
“This was such a fabulous, sold out night,” said Yvonne Lamb Scudiery, vice president of education at the Count Basie Center for the Arts. “The audience of students and their enthusiastic supporters, cheering one another’s success, it’s so much more than a competition. The Basie Awards have raised the level of excellence and professionalism in Monmouth County high school theater programs and have created a community that relishes the celebration of the arts.”
Freehold Regional High School District winners of the 2018 Basie Awards included:
• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama, Sean Gassaway, Howell High School, “Twentieth Century”
• Carole Malik Award for Outstanding Costume Design in a Drama, Freehold Township High School, “Boeing Boeing,” Kim Richardson and Laura Cugini
• Outstanding Set Design in a Drama (tie), Howell High School, “Twentieth Century,” Stephen Kazakoff, and Red Bank Catholic High School, “Moon Over Buffalo,” Carla Valentino
• Outstanding Featured Female Performer, Arianna Mubanda, Howell High School, “Mary Poppins”
• Outstanding All Student Orchestra, Marlboro High School, “1776,” Patrick M. Dalton
• Outstanding Set Design in a Musical, Freehold High School, “Once Upon a Mattress,” Kevin Gunther
• Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical, Marlboro High School, “1776,” Jim Lyle and Anthony Greco.
In addition to recognizing the county’s top high school talent, a Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Middletown resident Tom Bernard, co-founder and co-president of Sony Pictures Classics. Bernard is a longtime Count Basie Theatre board member, according to the press release.
“I am honored to be recognized with the Basie’s Lifetime Achievement Award,” Bernard said. “I am continuously inspired by the art and performances found in high schools across New Jersey. There is a lot of talent within our state and I am honored to be a part of a program that helps discover and encourage aspiring artists.”