Spanish Theater Industry Demands Increased Funding at 29th Max Awards

The 29th Max Awards, held at the Roman Theatre of Mérida, offered a clear look at the current state of Spanish theater—and a strong message beyond the stage. Following the gala, the industry used the event to call for state investment in culture to reach 1% of the national budget. This demand carried extra weight coming from Jesús Cimarro, who received this year’s Max Award of Honor.

On the artistic front, 1936—a collaboration between the National Dramatic Center, Checkin Producciones, and El Terrat—was the night’s biggest winner, taking home the award for Best Theater Production.

Dance also took center stage. Irene Tena was a standout, winning Best Female Performer and sharing the awards for Best Choreography and Best Dance Production with Albert Hernández for their piece, No. Juan Berlanga won Best Male Performer for Juancaballo, while the cast of Faula was named Best Dance Ensemble.

In acting, Mona Martínez won Best Actress for Los nuestros, and Ton Vieira was named Best Actor for La tercera fuga. La tercera fuga also saw success in other categories, winning Best Ensemble and Best Playwriting for Victoria Szpunberg and Albert Pijuan. Lucía Carballal was honored with Best Direction for Los nuestros.

The gala also celebrated emerging talent and experimental work. Iván López-Ortega won Best New Playwriting for Taxidermia de una alondra, and Zorra Dorada was named Best New Production.

Other notable winners included Xavo Giménez for the adaptation of Yo soy 451, and the team of Raquel Molano, Pablo Peña, and Darío del Moral for their musical composition for Fuenteovejuna. Hacia ecos de lo sagrado by Nao d’amores won Best Musical Production. Finally, the production of Orlando received two awards: one for Agustín Petronio’s costume design and another for Blanca Añón’s scenic and video design.