Luxembourg Stage Awards honour theatre and dance veterans

The Mersch theatre hosted the 2025 Lëtzebuerger Bünepräisser (Luxembourg Stage Awards) on Thursday, celebrating the most outstanding artists, creative works, and productions in the nation's performing arts scene. The ceremony was attended by Minister for Culture Eric Thill.

Awards were presented in six categories honouring achievements in theatre, dance, and musical theatre. The evening also featured the presentation of two national prizes: the Luxembourg Theatre Award and the Luxembourg Dance Award.

Luxembourg Theatre Award: Frank Hoffmann

The national theatre award was presented to director and stage manager Frank Hoffmann in recognition of his lifelong contribution to the Luxembourgish theatre scene. The jury honoured a man who "has played a decisive role in the development of Luxembourg theatre", crediting him for working "like no other to internationalise and modernise theatrical creation in Luxembourg."

The award includes a prize of €10,000.

Luxembourg Dance Award: Christiane Eiffes

The 2025 national dance award was bestowed upon Christiane Eiffes, a dance teacher at the Luxembourg City Conservatory lauded for her lifelong dedication to developing the art form, particularly contemporary dance. A co-founder of the "Théâtre Dansé et Muet" association, a forerunner to the Trois C-L, she was recognised for her significant role in the sector's evolution. The jury celebrated "a remarkable career, nourished by teaching, curiosity, and an unwavering loyalty to dance, which continues to inspire the artists of today and tomorrow."

This prize is also accompanied by a €10,000 award.

Best Children's and Youth Production: D'Julie an den Aprikosejong

This category recognises an outstanding full-scale production for young audiences across dance, theatre, or musical theatre.

The award went to a production praised for the relevance and perfect tone of the performances by actors Mady Durrer, Magaly Teixeira, and Luc Lamesch. The jury also commended Laetitia Lang's impeccable direction, brought to life by Anouk Schiltz's set design and costumes, and the accompanying music by Arthur Possing. In its statement, the jury noted the difficult choice in this category, explaining that the winning play was selected for its ability to "celebrate the power of imagination, curiosity, friendship, and hope."

The award includes a prize of €4,500.

Best Production: Les glaces

This honorary, non-monetary category rewards an exceptional full-scale production in dance, theatre, or musical theatre.

The prize for Best Production was awarded to the play Les Glaces by Rebecca Déraspe, directed by Sophie Langevin. The jury justified its selection by emphasising that the production "shines a light on the intimate wounds and collective challenges of our contemporary society." It further highlighted that "through sober and fragmented writing, the author questions rape, consent, silence, and the memory of trauma."

The statement also praised Langevin's minimalist direction for "fully revealing the richness of the text", noting that her precise guidance "gives a primary place to silences, which reflect the unspeakable nature of trauma."

Emerging Talent: Antoine Pohu

This prize recognises an artist at the beginning of a promising career.

The award was presented to writer Antoine Pohu for his texts for Spring Awakenings (Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg) and Pandora (Mierscher Theater). The jury selected Pohu for his "subtle, sensitive, and intimate approach", noting that the writer continues "to perfect his art, constantly gaining more experience while drawing on his creative ingenuity."

The award includes a prize of €3,500.

Backstage: Christian Klein

This category honours the essential, often unseen creative work of backstage professionals in areas such as set design, dramaturgy, costumes, lighting, sound, and music.

The winner, set designer Christian Klein, was recognised as an expert of the national stage. The jury cited "his talent, his dedication to theatre, and his wealth of ideas", particularly praising his ability "to make small and intimate things appear large on big stages, or to fit the most diverse scenes into a single set on small stages of only a few metres."

This prize is accompanied by an award of €4,500.

On Stage: Acting, Dance & Music: Céline Camara

This award celebrates the most outstanding performers – actors, dancers, and musical theatre performers – from the last two seasons.

The winner, Céline Camara, was honoured for her performance in Marja-Leena Junker's Prima Facie. The jury described her work as "solid, complex, moving", highlighting her versatility "in a confined space, both physically and figuratively."

This award includes a prize of €4,500.

On Stage: Text, Concept, Choreography & Direction: William Cardoso

This category honours the most outstanding creative artists – including stage directors, authors, choreographers, and composers – from the past two seasons.

The award was presented to William Cardoso for his choreography of Baby. The jury highlighted "the power of his movement, the sincerity that runs through his work, and his way of transforming wounds into creative energy." In its statement, the jury praised Cardoso for creating, "through sensitive and uncompromising choreographic writing,... spaces of freedom, where fragility is no longer a weakness, but a strength."

The award includes a prize of €4,500.