The Hungarian Theatre Society organized the 16th Hungarian Theatre Awards Gala, a celebration of theater background professions, recognizing the best of the professions! During the gala evening, Mónika Fischl, Zsolt Homonnay, Artists of the Pécs National Theater, Anna Györfi – actors of the József Attila Theater, also artists of the Déryné Company, with the second-year students of the University of Theater and Film Arts, Artist of the Jókai Theater in Békéscsaba, Viktória Kiss – from the orchestra and ballet choir of the Budapest Grand Circus, and last but not least the Chinese artist group that achieved the greatest success of the gala, the Xishui Acrobatic Troupe, took the stage.
The Hungarian Theatre Awards, which recognize the professionals in the theatre’s background and service professions, were presented on Monday evening at the József Attila Theatre. This award is given every year to those who work invisibly, behind the spotlight, in the machinery that runs successful stage productions. A joint proposal from two state-awarded actors and the director of the nominating theatre is required to be nominated for the Hungarian Theatre Awards, which were established in 2010.
The awards went to Judit Tímea Hajdu, head of the props and furniture warehouse at the Thália Theatre; Erzsébet Kásádácz, economic manager of the Pécs National Theatre; Bori Mátrai, artistic secretary general of the Operetta Theater; and Mihály Borbás, technical director of the Déryné Company. The Hungarian Theatre’s Special Nationality Award went to Gyula Béri, production manager of the Pécs Croatian Theatre. The Hungarian Theater Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes exceptional artistic careers, was presented this year to Zoltán Seregi, director of the Jókai Theater in Békéscsaba.
The awardees received their awards from the directors of the nominating mother theatres, the members of the board of the Hungarian Theater Society and representatives of the organizations supporting the gala evening.
The award presenters included Magdolna Závogyán, State Secretary for Culture at the Ministry of Culture and Innovation, Irén Novák, Deputy State Secretary for Arts and Community Education at the Ministry of Culture and Innovation, Vice President of the Hungarian Theater Society, Director of the Chamber Theater Gyula Gózon, Ágnes Szabó, Strategic Director of the Thália Theater, Illés Horváth, and Directors Atilla Kiss-B. and Márk Domonkos Kis.
The lifetime achievement Award established by the Hungarian Theater Technology Association, the Pál Tolnay Award, named after the first Hungarian theatre technology engineer, was presented together with the awards of the Hungarian Theatre Society, which was received by Béla Götz, scenic designer.
This year, the gala was held for the 16th time, during which a total of more than 100 awards have been awarded.
Founder and originator of the Hungarian Theater Award, Péter Fekete, Director General of the National Circus Arts Center, highlighted: “The initiative launched fifteen years ago has now become a tradition, a common celebration of the theatre profession, which gives us the opportunity to celebrate those who work behind the scenes all year round at the end of each year.”
During the gala evening, Mónika Fischl, Zsolt Homonnay, the artist of the Pécs National Theatre, Anna Györfi, the actors of the József Attila Theatre, the artists of the Déryné Company, the second-year students of the University of Theatre and Film Arts, the artist of the Jókai Theatre in Békéscsaba, Viktória Kiss, the orchestra and ballet choir of the Budapest Grand Circus, and the Chinese artist group that achieved the greatest success of the gala, the Xishui Acrobatic Troupe, took the stage.
Photo: Ádám Urbán
Update by Aggie Reiter
Rolling in Budapest 