From Stage to Spotlight: Manasquan’s Drama Program and Students Earn Top Honors

MANASQUAN, NJ - At the recent Manasquan Board of Education meeting it held its  recognition ceremony for the past 23/24 school year, celebrating the exceptional achievements of students and faculty in various programs. Superintendent Rob Goodall kicked off the presentation, highlighting the school's Drama production company, which has garnered numerous nominations for its outstanding performances. Modeled after the Tony Awards, this prestigious program, now in its 19th year, evaluates high school musical and drama productions across Monmouth County, recognizing excellence in categories ranging from acting and directing to set and costume design, choreography, lighting, and orchestra.

Superintendent Rob Goodall began the presentation. "I want to start by thanking the groups we are recognizing tonight for their patience. This is the last recognition of our past school year." This is partly due to statistics not being finalized by the last June BOE meeting. "The first program being recognized is our drama production company. We've received many nominations. The program is in its 19th year, and it's modeled after the Tony Awards that evaluates musical and drama productions in high school throughout Monmouth County. A rubric is used to assess performance in 25 categories recognizing excellence in everything from acting, directing to a set, to costume design, choreography, lighting, and orchestra.

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The drama production leader is Madison Schille. She received an evaluators Special Award  "Dying to Dine and Entertain: Death by Dessert Cast & Crew." The award was accepted by Madison Shille on behalf of the production company.

Basie Awards Winners

This year's Basie Awards highlighted several outstanding individuals and groups:

• Turner Arts Impact Scholarship: Awarded to Olivia Maes for her significant contributions to the arts.
• Outstanding Set Design: Mr. Kerry McBride and Adam Petriella received this award for their exceptional work on the set design.
• Outstanding Featured Performance in a Male Identified Role: Cameron Lieb was recognized for his standout performance.
• Outstanding Student Leadership: Kane Chapman, the stage manager, and Jessica Slovak, the student choreographer, were both honored for their leadership roles.
• Papermill Playhouse Rising Star Award for Choreography: Jessica Slovak was also awarded this prestigious honor for her choreography work.

The Impact of the Drama Production Program

The drama production program at MHS not only fosters artistic talent but also instills valuable life skills in students. Participating in theater productions teaches teamwork, discipline, time management, and creative problem-solving. These skills are essential for personal and professional growth, and the recognition from programs like the Basie Awards underscores the importance of arts education in schools.

Community and Educational Impact

The ceremony also highlighted the broader impact of these achievements on the community. The dedication of students and faculty to excellence in the arts enhances the cultural fabric of Manasquan, inspiring younger students and fostering a supportive environment for creative expression. The recognition of these achievements serves as a testament to the hard work and passion of the individuals involved and underscores the importance of supporting arts programs in schools.

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Looking Forward

As the 2023/24 school year comes to a close, the Manasquan Board of Education looks forward to continued success and growth in the coming years. Superintendent Goodall expressed optimism for the future, noting that the achievements of the past year set a high standard for the years to come. He encouraged students and faculty to continue striving for excellence and to support each other in their endeavors.

The recognition ceremony was a fitting conclusion to a year marked by remarkable achievements and a celebration of the arts, highlighting the critical role of creative programs in fostering well-rounded, accomplished students.

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