Theatre-Award-Berlin by Stiftung Preußische Seehandlung

The Theatre-Award-Berlin has been awarded by the Stiftung Preußische Seehandlung in the context of the Berlin Theatertreffen since 1988. It comes with a sum of 20,000 Euros and distinguishes persons whose life’s work or outstanding individual achievements constitute an exceptional contribution to German-language theatre. From the jury’s statement on their decision to bestow the award to Sivan Ben Yishai:

“The attribute of ‘radical’ may have been overworked lately. But it is a perfect fit for this dramatist, who was recently voted ‘Playwright of the Year 2022’ by the critics’ poll of the magazine Theater heute. Her courage is radical, and so is the way that she renders her search for the right expression visible in her writing and addresses the situational nature of the theatre itself. And the way that her writing remains defiant at all times and not only tolerates friction but actively demands it. From the directors who take on her texts as well as from the audience.”

The prize jury includes Sabine Leucht (theatre critic and member of the Theatertreffen-jury), Prof Dr Matthias Warstat (professor of Theatre Studies at Freie Universität Berlin), Matthias Pees (director of Berliner Festspiele) and in an advisory capacity both Carolin Hochleichter (member of the new team of Theatertreffen-directors) and Yvonne Büdenhölzer (former longstanding Theatertreffen-director).