On the evening of April 17, 2026—and thus for the first time in the immediate run-up to the Berlin Theater Festival—the curtain will rise: the Theaterpreis des Bundes will be awarded at a festive gala at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele.

And the Winner is…

This year, Federal Government Commissioner Wolfram Weimer will present the prize, worth 200,000 euros, to HELLERAU – European Center for the Arts. The Theater Oberhausen, Theater Lindenhof, and stellwerk junges theater will each receive awards worth 100,000 euros.
In addition to the Federal Government’s recognition of outstanding theater institutions, the Fonds Darstellende Künste will present the 2026 Tabori Prize—the highest honor in the independent performing arts—to raumlaborberlin this evening.

A Tribute to Theater

The awards ceremony provides a grand stage for this year’s winners, but also gives prominent voices a chance to speak: We look forward to Jonathan Meese in a lecture performance and Dominique Horwitz in an artistic solo.

Under the artistic direction of Ron Zimmering, a high-caliber acting ensemble featuring Franziska Hartmann, Anne Hoffmann, Pascal Houdus, Franklyn “Slunch” Kakyire, Elias Nuriel Kohl, Ulrike Krumbiegel, and Wiebke Mollenhauer will guide the audience through the event. Causa Rynkowski and DJ D’CHAY will provide the musical backdrop for the evening.

Practical information about the event is available in the FAQ section of the website.