Jury statement

“With the sophiensæle, the jury honors its continuous work for the independent scene in all its varieties in the center of the capital. Under the artistic direction of Franziska Werner, the sophiensæle has succeeded in continuing and further developing its collaboration with independent groups in terms of content. Although the house has limited resources, it is a lively place for exchange and discussion among artists and in the city. The theater has also succeeded in supporting internationally renowned artists from various disciplines, such as Milo Rau and Lea Moro, and developing their work together with them. In terms of content, in recent years the theater has increasingly pursued an examination of post-colonialism and queerness, thus setting the tone for the future. In addition to its important function for dance, and not only in Berlin, it is dedicated to new forms of music theater and thus represents the diversity of the independent performing arts in an exemplary manner. The sophiensaele exists alongside the networks of the major production houses and yet is highly visible, not only locally, right in the heart of society.” – Jury statement