Thomas Jonigk
Literature
Thomas Jonigk, born in 1966 in Eckernförde, is widely regarded as one of the most influential German playwrights and dramaturgs of his generation. Since 1991, he has written plays, libretti, screenplays, and novels, with his works translated into numerous languages and honored with multiple awards—including the Prix Amphi for his novel Vierzig Tage (Forty Days) as the best non-French novel in French translation in 2009.
Jonigk has directed and worked at leading theaters such as Berlin’s Volksbühne, Schauspielhaus Zürich, Luzerner Theater, Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus, and Schauspielhaus Wien, where he served as chief dramaturg from 1997 to 1999. From 2006 to 2011, he was resident playwright, dramaturg, and head of the writers’ lab at Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus, and from 2009 to 2013, he held similar roles at Schauspielhaus Zürich. Since the 2021/22 season, Jonigk has been chief dramaturg and deputy artistic director at Schauspiel Köln.
His most notable plays include Rottweiler, Hörst du mein heimliches Rufen, Diesseits, Liebe Kannibalen Godard, and Weiter träumen. As a librettist, he has written Der Sandmann (music by Andrea Lorenzo Scartazzini, premiered at Theater Basel, 2012), Edward II. (Deutsche Oper Berlin, 2017), and the ballet libretto Jahreszeiten (Nederlandse Opera Amsterdam, Grand Théâtre de Genève). His works have been staged internationally, from Europe to the United States.
In addition to numerous stage productions, Jonigk has directed operas and literary adaptations, most recently including Pelléas et Mélisande at Theater an der Wien and Ansichten eines Clowns at Schauspiel Köln.
Thomas Jonigk lives and works in Munich.