Szeged National Theater opens 2025/2026 season with 13 new premieres

The Szeged National Theater officially launched its 2025/2026 season on Friday with a company meeting that marked the beginning of a year featuring 13 new premieres and several returning productions. More than 4,500 season passes have already been sold.

General Director László Barnák highlighted that many theater employees also contributed to this summer’s successful Szeged Open-Air Festival. Behind the scenes, significant upgrades took place at the permanent venue, including a full renovation of the Main Theater’s stage, curtain, and auditorium seating, funded by a HUF 191 million municipal grant. The theater also carried out a number of major technical upgrades.

The season will again feature educational outreach through the theater’s creative program space, Kooperáló, led by Ákos Kállai. The team will continue to offer drama workshops for elementary and high school students and promote opera among younger audiences. For adults, the program includes theater-based communication trainings with a focus on drama pedagogy, art therapy, and mental health awareness.

Several new artists have joined the ensemble this season: actor Atananáz Vatamány; dancer Bence Márton Horváth; and chorus members Henrietta Török, Barbara Körmendi, Nikoletta Bertalan, Szerafina Babácsi, and Benedek Molnár. Boglárka Bita will continue her career at the theater as a soloist.

The company also marked several work anniversaries. Costume maker Cecília Horváth and props master Róbert Németh were both recognized for 25 years of service. Chorus member Judit Tóth celebrated 30 years, while Anikó Málna Varga was honored for 40 years with the company.

Actor Tibor Rácz, a long-time member of the ensemble, was absent from the meeting as he received his Golden Diploma from the University of Theater and Film Arts, marking 50 years since his graduation.

“Our theater’s goal is to reflect the present,” Barnák said. “We continuously ask ourselves what matters most to us, how we express our opinions, and how we engage with those of others. Our productions are shaped by these questions. Above all, we remember that our audience is the most important, and we are here to serve them.”

Season passes remain available through October 10.

This article is based on the press release of the Szeged National Theater

Featured image by Alíz Zsíros / Szeged National Theater