Thirty-Third Annual Thalia Awards Honor Petr Nárožný and Zdena Herfortová in Prague
Twenty artists received Thalia Awards at the 33rd annual ceremony in Prague’s National Theatre, led by lifetime achievement honors for veteran actor Petr Nárožný and Brno actress and educator Zdena Herfortová. Petr Nárožný, the oldest of the laureates at 88 years old, is renowned as both an actor and a comedian and entertainer. A graduate of Prague’s Faculty of Architecture who began his career in Prague’s Semafor theatre, Nárožný spent 42 years on the boards of the Činoherní klub starting in 1980, and during his acceptance speech thanked Ladislav Smoček, the director and founder of the Činoherní klub, alongside his wife and colleagues from the theatre where he worked for over four decades. Having not performed for three years due to injuries, Nárožný noted that he mainly does public discussions, which make him feel as though he still stands with one foot on the stage, and he jested that the Thalia Award might be a symbol that he should no longer perform publicly and perhaps sign off on it. Petr Nárožný drew the longest applause of the Saturday evening. Zdena Herfortová also worked as a pedagogue at JAMU, where she led the musical theatre studio, and she masters dramatic, operetta, and musical roles in both comedic and serious registers, having previously won a Thalia Award for 1995 for her portrayal of Elizabeth I. The ceremony was hosted by actor Martin Myšička, who remarked at the very beginning that the Thalia Awards are just as old as the Czech Republic, noting that 33 is a magic number and that he has been acting for a similar length of time.
Drama Winners Lucie Žáčková and Stanislav Majer Address Conflict and Stage Life
Lucie Žáčková received the Thalia Award for best female drama performance for her role as Anna in the Prague Činoherní klub production of Komuna. Jurors stated that she portrays Anna’s story with exceptional sensitivity and lightness, transitioning from moments of happiness and optimism to a complete fall, and they described her commitment as exceptional and rarely seen in the country, touching everyone. Žáčková expressed gratitude during her award acceptance for being able to do acting work, play beautiful roles, and meet amazing people. In the male drama category, Stanislav Majer won for his ten distinct roles in Amadoka at Prague’s Divadlo X10. Majer mentioned that he will place the glass trophy directly into the dressing room of Divadlo X10, where a collective energy prevails and actors follow the motto one for all, all for one,
and he received the award from actress Simona Lewandowska, who had already been honored in advance as an artist under 33. In the production Amadoka, Majer creates a dozen diverse characters that serve as important drivers of three tragic stories concerning Ukraine’s troubled past and present, with jurors noting his performance is remarkable not only for its acting transformations and concentration, but also for the lightness with which he presents a broad scale of roles ranging from a primitive aggressor and a deserving tired comrade to a joyful carefree girl. Majer concluded his acceptance speech with the cry Glory to Ukraine,
a reference to the production’s focus on Ukraine’s past and present.
Alternative Theatre and Musical Performances Bring Funding Concerns to Light
Miřenka Čechová earned the alternative theatre award for her performance in Dvacetjedna with the Spitfire Company, using her acceptance speech to criticize current Ministry of Culture policies toward independent art. Čechová stated that she perceives the Thalia as an appreciation for all female directors, and she complained about the conditions for independent theatres in Czechia, noting that they do not know if they will work next year or under what conditions, as the current policy of the Ministry of Culture is unfriendly to independent art. Salvadori thanked Winton for demonstrating that goodness does not have to be loud,
with jurors praising him for combining a sovereign vocal performance with civil acting persuasiveness that precisely captures the inner strength and vulnerability of the main character.
Opera Honorees Magdalena Kožená and Štefan Margita Remember Lost Loved Ones
Štefan Margita won in the male opera category for his performance as Loge in Wagner’s Das Rheingold at the National Theatre in Prague, directed by Sláva Daubnerová with a premiere on February 12, 2026. Additional lifetime achievement awards recognized Luděk Vele, Nelly Danko, and Jaroslava Kretschmerová.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Thalia Awards
Who founded the Thalia Awards and when did they begin?
The Actors’ Association has organized and awarded the Thalia Prizes since 1993, with professional juries deciding the winners for exceptional stage performances.
Diana Čičmanová, Anna Yeh and Giovanni Rotolo Win Awards
Additional category winners included Diana Čičmanová, who received the puppetry award for an extraordinary stage performance in the non-verbal production Větroplaši at the Naivní divadlo Liberec. In ballet, dance, and movement theatre, Anna Yeh, born in Los Angeles, won for the title role in Giselle at the National Theatre Brno, while Italian dancer Giovanni Rotolo, premier soloist of Prague’s National Theatre, won for the title role in Liliom, choreographed by John Neumeier with music by Michel Legrand and a premiere on October 23, 2025. Lifetime achievement and special awards recognized State Opera emeritus soloist Luděk Vele, ballet mistress and former National Theatre ballet soloist Nelly Danko, and musical-dramatic artist Jaroslava Kretschmerová, a member of Studio Ypsilon’s ensemble. Her colleague, actor and pianist Miroslav Kořínek, who has served as a permanent ensemble member at Studio Ypsilon since 1967, received the Czech Theatre Academicians Award, handed to him by fellow Ypsilonka colleague Jiří Lábus. Rostislav Novák Jr., principal and founder of the new circus company Cirk La Putyka, received a special award for his long-term work in modern movement theatre, during which he spoke out against an arrogance that often fails to understand art and emphasized that culturally audiences have never divided themselves. The award for spreading theatrical art went to Milan Hein, 80-year-old actor, publicist, and operator of Prague’s Divadlo Ungelt, while Slovak director, actor, and pedagogue Emil Horváth received the award for a foreign artist. Furthermore, President of the Association Ondřej Kepka announced that actress Magdaléna Borová will receive a radio Thalia at the Prix Bohemia festival.
Which venue hosted the 33rd annual ceremony?
The 33rd annual Thalia Awards ceremony took place at Prague’s National Theatre, matching the tradition of past galas.
What special recognitions were distributed outside the main competitive categories?
The Actor’s Association presented special awards to Rostislav Novák Jr. for modern movement theatre, Milan Hein for spreading theatrical art, and Slovak director Emil Horváth as a foreign artist, alongside a Czech Theatre Academicians award for Miroslav Kořínek.
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