Zürcher Theater Spektakel

The cultural commitment of the Zürcher Kantonalbank is to continuity. The bank demonstrates this intent not only by its long-standing partnership with the Zürcher Theater Spektakel but also by the ZKB Patronage Prize, which is awarded for the 17th time at this year’s festival. Once again, the f estival board has nominated young, hitherto little-known groups or artists from its current programme. A jury panel of experts then decides on the winner of the prize of 30,000 Swiss Francs.

The Patronage Prize of the Zürcher Kantonalbank is held in high esteem in the cultural scene as it stands for courage, innovation and overall quality. Former prize-winners such as Stefan Pucher, 400asa, Sarah Michelson, Laura Kalauz and Martin Schick have all convinced both audiences and critics with their subsequent works. As intended by the Zürcher Kantonalbank and the festival board, the prize has encouraged the recipients to exceed their limits and to adhere to their artistic path.

Prizes such as the ZKB Patronage Prize at the Theater Spektakel are an important start-off aid for young artists. They create valuable publicity, are regarded as a certificate of quality and are a leverage for opening doors.

The Zürcher Kantonalbank supports a lively and versatile cultural life in Zurich, helping not only established and reliable artists, but also newcomers. The Patronage Prize for theatre, dance and performance is part of a series of young talent awards the Zürcher Kantonalbank initiated some years ago – the ZKB Schillerpreis (since 1979), the ZKB Jazz Prize (since 2002) and the ZKB Art Prize (2007).

ZKB Patronage Prize CHF 30,000
The Patronage Prize of the Zürcher Kantonalbank is awarded annually to an artist or a company working in independent theatre, dance theatre or performance art, who have distinguished themselves and shown innovation in the creation of new work. The aim of this prize is to support the chosen recipient in their future projects. The criteria for candidates is that the significant work for which the award is actually given has had its premiere within the past two years. The festival board nominates five to seven productions from the festival’s current programme. Precedence is given to artists who the board feel have yet to receive a level of public recognition that is commensurate with their achievements. Former winners of the prize are excluded from nomination.

ZKB Acknowledgement Prize CHF 5,000
The Acknowledgment Prize allows for additional recognition and support of a nominee whose work is considered to be outstanding. It is awarded to a company or an artist for extraordinary achievement in such areas as choreography, dramaturgy, audience participation or acting.
Unlike standard procedures, all productions presented in «Short Pieces» are nominated for the ZKB Acknowledgement Prize this year, unless the artists have not previously won either the ZKB Patronage or the ZKB Acknowledgment Prize.

Omar Abu Saada, Damascus
Born 1977. After graduating from the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts in Damascus he worked as a dramaturge for various productions. Together with Syrian theatre artists he founded the Studio Theatre Company, which produces interactive theatre projects for the rural population. He is the author of various plays and works as a director. His show «Look at the streets …» was presented at the Festival Theaterformen in Hanover last June.

Max-Philipp Aschenbrenner, Lucerne
Born 1982. Studied media, process design and dramaturgy in Potsdam, Basel and Frankfurt a.M.. Since 2004, he has produced his own projects in the fields of documentary films, dramaturgy and art research. He worked at the Theater am Neumarkt in Zurich, Mousonturm Frankfurt and at the HAU Berlin. In May 2011 he was appointed director of the Kulturhaus Südpol in Lucerne.

Mona De Weerdt, Zurich
Born 1987. Studied art history, drama and dance at the University of Berne and the FU Berlin. In 2012 she graduated with an MA in theatre and dance and World Arts. She has worked as a freelancer for various stage projects and, since July 2012 she is the production manager for the Argentinian performer Laura Kalauz.

Nunu Kong, Shanghai
Born 1982. A choreographer, performer and producer, she is one of the cofounders of the dance collective Zuhe Niao, which won the 2006 ZKB Patronage Prize. As a member of the brand nu dance network she promotes China’s independent dance and performance scene. Her works are regularly presented in Europa. She has created a new solo for the Short Pieces presented at this year's festival.

Azade Shahmiri, Teheran
Born 1982 in Teheran. Studied art history and theatre literature at the Alzahra University. Since 2003, she has worked as an arts and culture journalist for various Iranian media. At present, she is writing a play and works as researcher and translator.