South Korean Multidisciplinary Artist Awarded the World’s Largest Theatre Prize

The theatre maker, composer, and video artist Jaha Koo has been awarded the International Ibsen Award 2026.

Koo is an interdisciplinary artist working at the intersection of theatre, music, video, and technology. He was educated in Seoul and Amsterdam, and since 2011 he has been based in Gent, Belgium. His works are presented on stages around the world.

“I see this prize not only as a recognition of my own work, but also of all artists who move beyond what is traditionally considered theatre, and who create works for people who may not previously have felt addressed,” Koo says of the award.

Quiet and Deeply Political Theatre

According to the jury’s statement, Koo is awarded the International Ibsen Award for “his innovative and deeply human theatre.”

“The theatre he creates is quiet, yet deeply political. It cuts through ideological noise and speaks directly to our shared human experience,” says Ingrid Lorentzen, chair of the jury for the International Ibsen Award and artistic director of the Norwegian National Ballet.

The jury further writes that “through humor, poetry, and technological ingenuity, Koo opens up reflections on identity, belonging, and the aftereffects of colonial histories.”

Koo is the youngest recipient of the International Ibsen Award, and the first with an Asian background.

On 26th of September the award ceremony will take place at The National theatre in Oslo, and on 27th of September, audiences can experience his breakthrough performance Cuckoo on the National Theatre in Oslo’s main stage. The performance takes the audience on a journey through the past twenty years of Korean history, told by a group of talkative, hacked rice cookers.

The World’s Largest Theatre Prize

The International Ibsen Award is the world’s largest theatre prize and is often referred to as “the Nobel Prize of theatre.” The award was established by the Norwegian state in 2007 and is presented every other year without requirements or restrictions. It honors individuals, institutions, and organizations that have contributed a new artistic dimension to the field of theatre.

The prize winner receives 2.5 million Norwegian kroner and is selected by an international committee appointed by the Ministry of Culture and Equality. The National Theatre serves as the award’s secretariat. Past laureates include Peter Brook, Ariane Mnouchkine, Jon Fosse, Forced Entertainment, Back to Back Theatre, Taylor Mac and Lola Arias. The winner is announced on Henrik Ibsen’s birthday, 20 March. This year’s award ceremony will take place on the National Theatre’s main stage on 26 September.

For press inquiries Jaha Koo:

Jaha Koo: info.gujaha@gmail.com

Copy:

Ayla Onsea: communicatie@lod.be

Eunkyung Jeong: ticticsetset@gmail.com

Dries Douibi: dries@lod.be, +32 485 51 19 10

For press inquiries National Theatre:

Sabine Hengesbach hengesbach@inmediaspr.de 0171/2371719