3sat-Award

Since 1997, 3sat has bestowed the 3sat-Award for an artistically innovative achievement to one or more artists from the circle of the invited ensembles. In 2026, actor Katharina Bach will receive the award for her performance in Wallenstein. A slaughter feast in seven courses. The jury says:

“Jan-Christoph Gockel’s double exposure of Wallenstein exposes the mechanics of war and the anatomy of the soldier. The need not only for external armour but also to armour-plate his soul and mind is demonstrated by Katharina Bach as Wallenstein’s Field Marshal Illo and in a brilliant closing monologue in which she casts all this armour aside in a manner that hurts to watch. In a muscle suit and with a bald pate, Bach is at first unrecognisable – but then very recognisable indeed because she allows his deep vulnerability to shine through all the swagger of this 'warrior' who is loyal to the point of imbecility. Behind his/her/our decisiveness is a burning fear. A brilliant performance that is timelessly true!”

The 2026 jury consists of Nora Hertlein-Hull (Director of Theatertreffen), Wolfgang Horn (editor of ZDF Music and Theatre department) and Sabine Leucht (arts journalist and member of the Theatertreffen-jury). The 3sat-award comes with a prize money of 10,000 Euro.

All award winners since 1997