Valeria Moriconi Award – Protagonist of the Stage
The biennial award celebrating the great female protagonists of theatre at the G.B. Pergolesi Theatre in Jesi
About Valeria Moriconi Award
An award dedicated to the protagonists of the stage
The Valeria Moriconi Award – Protagonist of the Stage is one of the most prestigious events in the theatrical calendar of the Municipality of Jesi, in the province of Ancona, in the Marche region. It is a biennial award dedicated to the great female performers of Italian and international theatre, established in 2009 to preserve and promote the artistic and human legacy of Valeria Moriconi (Jesi, 1931 – Rome, 2005), one of the most beloved and intense actresses of 20th-century Italy, originally from the Marche city.
The ceremony at the Pergolesi Theatre
The heart of the event is an evening show held at the G.B. Pergolesi Theatre, the historic theatre overlooking Piazza della Repubblica. The award is not simply presented in a ceremony: the awarded artist first takes the stage with their own performance, and only at the end of the show do they receive the recognition, often culminating in a public dialogue on stage. This format combines the value of live artistic performance with reflection on the acting profession and the role of women in theatre, across the past, present, and future.
The “Future of the Stage” Award
Alongside the main award, each edition presents the “Future of the Stage” award, aimed at a young emerging actress or playwright. The winner of this section has the opportunity to develop a theatrical project with the promoting bodies, fostering support for the new generations of the stage.
An international roll of honour
Over the years, the award has built an absolutely prestigious roll of honour: from the French actress Isabelle Huppert (2009) to Monica Guerritore (2011), through the director and playwright Emma Dante (2020), Ottavia Piccolo (2022), and Elena Bucci (2024). This blend of major stage names and a provincial town like Jesi is precisely what makes the event special: auteur theatre brought to a place with an intimate scale, in the name of a great local actress.
The organizers
The award is promoted by the City of Jesi, the Pergolesi Spontini Foundation, AMAT (Marche Association for Theatrical Activities), and the Valeria Moriconi Centre, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and the Marche Region. The event is part of Jesi's drama programming and cultural events, confirming the city's role as one of the most vibrant theatrical hubs in the Marche region.
Valeria Moriconi Award — edition 2026
The sixth edition of the Valeria Moriconi Award – Protagonist of the Stage takes place on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 9:00 PM at the G.B. Pergolesi Theatre in Jesi. The award is presented to Maddalena Crippa, muse to great contemporary directors, at the end of an evening entirely dedicated to her talent.
The ceremony follows the tradition of the award, which intertwines auteur theatre and the memory of the great actress from Jesi. A format that makes this evening one of the most anticipated cultural events in Jesi and the Marche region.
Programme Valeria Moriconi Award 2026
Monday, June 8, 2026 — G.B. Pergolesi Theatre, 9:00 PM
- Performance “Deve trattarsi di autentico amore per la vita” (It must be genuine love for life), based on the diaries of Etty Hillesum (young Dutch Jewish woman, 1914-1943), with Maddalena Crippa. Dramaturgy by Giulia Calligaro, produced by Teatro Pubblico Ligure.
- Live music by Gianmario Conti, with original pieces for Celtic harp and harmonica.
- On-stage dialogue between Maddalena Crippa and Gilberto Santini, director of AMAT.
- Presentation of the Valeria Moriconi Award 2026 to Maddalena Crippa.
- “Future of the Stage” Award to Emilia Scatigno, young actress and playwright.
Highlights Valeria Moriconi Award 2026
The highlight is the performance “Deve trattarsi di autentico amore per la vita” starring Maddalena Crippa, based on the diaries of Etty Hillesum, with live music for Celtic harp and harmonica by Gianmario Conti, followed by the award presentation and the “Future of the Stage” award to Emilia Scatigno.
Prices Valeria Moriconi Award 2026
Practical information — Valeria Moriconi Award
Where
G.B. Pergolesi Theatre, Piazza della Repubblica 9, 60035 Jesi (AN), Marche.
How to get there
By car: take the Jesi exit from the SS76 (Ancona-Rome); the historic centre is a few minutes away. By train: Jesi station on the Rome-Ancona line, about a 15-minute walk from the theatre. The nearest airport is Ancona-Falconara (Marche Airport), about 20 km away.
Tickets
G.B. Pergolesi Theatre Box Office, Piazza della Repubblica 9. Telephone +39 0731 206888, email [email protected]. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM and 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM; on performance evenings, the box office opens one hour before the start.
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Where does it take place — Valeria Moriconi Award
Teatro G.B. Pergolesi
Piazza della Repubblica 9, 60035 Jesi