M'Town Students Receive High Honors at the Basie Awards

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.

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.

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

Local school winners include:

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

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