The Middletown High School North Drama Program had quite the week as the program was recognized with 29 Basie nominations for the 2022-23 school year. Middletown High School North Drama teacher and Middletown Township Arts Academy Advisor Amanda Faria is extremely proud of her students being recognized for all of their hard work.
According to the Count Basie website, “The Count Basie Center’s annual Basie Awards is a program modeled after Broadway’s Tony™ Awards, honoring excellence in high school theatre in Monmouth County. Each year, adjudicators are sent to review straight plays and musicals. Nominations are made, and the culminating awards ceremony is a not-to-be-missed celebration honoring those who share a passion and understanding of the power of theatre and the arts. ”
During each school year, the Basie’s Education department creates a committee of theatre production attendees, performers and educators, who then attend and officially score and rank nearly 50 school productions. The Basie Awards recognize all facets of theatre excellence ranging fromacting and directing to set and costume design, choreography, lighting, and orchestra. This year’s Middletown High School North Nominees are:
Best Featured Actress in a Drama: Jessica Heitmann and Annie Kissinger
Best Featured Actor in a Drama: Cole Bartolotti and Sealth Grover
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama: Rebecca Grodek
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama: John Martin
Best Leading Actress in a Drama: Ava Giglia
Best Leading Actor in a Drama: Samuel Cusson
Outstanding company in a drama
Outstanding production of a play
Spring Musical- “Les Miserables”
Best Featured Actress in a Musical: Jessica Ardolina and Rebecca Grodek
Best Featured Actor in a Musical: Bryan Reimertz
Best Supporting Actress in a Musical: Ava Giglia and Jessica Heitmann
Best Supporting Actor in a Musical: Sealth Grover and Daniel Stefanski
Best Lead Actor in a Musical: Samuel Cusson and John Martin
Outstanding Chorus in a Musical
Outstanding Production of a Musical