June Johnson Newcomer Prize

In cooperation with the Federal Office of Culture, we launched the June Johnson Dance Prize in 2013, which promoted young, innovative dance creations, in memory of June Johnson, the wife of Stanley Thomas Johnson. From 2021, the dance prize has been extended to include the performing arts. The prize is aimed at professional Swiss choreographers and dance ensembles, directors and theater groups who are at the beginning of their careers and whose work shows particular potential.

Award ceremony with Anna-Marija Adomaityte in Theater Casino Zug in October 2024 © Adrian Moser

Prize winner 2024: Anna-Marija Adomaityte

In October 2024, the June Johnson Newcomer Prize was awarded to Anna-Marija Adomaityte as part of the Swiss Performing Arts Awards of the Federal Office of Culture.

From the laudatory speech by Beate Engel, Program manager culture:

«Anna-Marija Adomaityte has undergone an impressive evolution in the last four years, from solo to duo and finally a group piece. Tirelessly, she puts social phenomena under the microscope. She portrays the monotonous routine of a fast-food restaurant, or the drama of a love affair which is constrained by norms - using movements that are minimal, repetitive and hit to the core. She developed her current group piece “TikTok-Ready Choreographies” together with a group of young female TikTok dancers. Something that is normally presented in virtual space becomes real and palpable in a touching and fascinating performance. Hips waggle, arms swing, the girls exchange certain looks, defying the predefined systems with individuality and high precision.»

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Previous prizewinners

Anna Anderegg (2013)                                       Dark Side Of The Moon
Daniel Hellmann (2015)                                     Requiem for a piece of meat
Kiriakos Hadjiioannou (2017)                            Hyperion - Higher States Part 2
Marion Zurbach (2019)                                      Unplush / Marion Zurbach
Mirjam Gurtner (2021)                                       Mirjam Gurtner
Isabelle Spescha (2022) InQrdt
Marc Oosterhoff (2023) Kompanie Cie Moost