Théâtre Le Monnot presented the first edition of the Monnot Awards, a new annual ceremony dedicated to excellence in Lebanese theatre. Broadcast live on Télé-Liban and hosted by Zeina Daccache and Talal El Jurdi, the evening brought together more than 260 artists, theatre professionals, film personalities and journalists.
Performances, tributes and awards celebrated an artistic community that continues to create and keep culture alive despite conflict and uncertainty. An Independent Jury The 14 productions presented at Théâtre Le Monnot between September 2025 and July 2026 were evaluated by an independent jury composed of: Sawsan Awwad, Dr Rabih Chami, Dr Walid Dakroub – President of the Jury, Rosette Fadel, Fady Jeanbart, Sarmad Louis, Dr Mirana Naim and Mayssa Hanouni Yaafoury.
The Monnot Awards 2026 Winners
Best Lighting Design – Hagop Derghougassian, Al Wahesh
Best Scenography – Yara Zakhour & Adon Khoury, Radio Transistor
Best Sound Design / Original Music – Anthony Youssef, La MisérableBest Adaptation – Joe Ramia, Rihlet Hanzala
Best Original Text – Yara Zakhour & Adon Khoury, Radio Transistor
Revelation of the Year – Pia Khalil, Rihlet Hanzala
Best Costume Design – Bruno Tabbal & Ralph Tabbal, L’Étrangère de Noël
Best Supporting Actress – Salma Chalabi, Hanne
Best Supporting Actor – Aly Bleibel, Mensonge Blanc
Jury Youth Award – Samer Hanna, Aal Hawa Sawa
Best Leading Actress – Maria Doueihi, Qornet El Bayda
Best Leading Actor – Julien Chaaya, La Misérable
Best Director – Joe Ramia, Rihlet Hanzala
Best Play – Chou Mnelbos, by Yehya Jaber
Monnot Honorary Award for an Exceptional Career – Camille Salameh
The Jury Youth Award – Charles Boutros Noujeim Prize, worth USD 2,500, was created to support a young playwright and contribute to the development of their artistic work.
A Trophy That Tells the Story of Theatre
Created by Lebanese artist Katia Traboulsi, the Monnot Awards trophy brings together several faces within a single sculpture, evoking the characters, stories and collective nature of theatre. The flowers emerging from its base symbolize creativity that continues to bloom even in the most difficult times. With this first edition, Théâtre Le Monnot aims to establish the Monnot Awards as a major annual event on the Lebanese cultural calendar.
Beyond the awards themselves, the evening was a celebration of creativity, solidarity and resilience a declaration of love to Lebanese theatre and to all those who continue, against all odds, to keep its lights shining.
