It is named after the character "Hedda" from Ibsen's play Hedda Gabler.
Among its categories, which have varied over the years, are: Best Theatre Production, Best Direction, Best Stage Performance, and occasionally an honorary prize.
The prize is administered by the Association of Norwegian Theatres and Orchestras (Norsk teater- og orkesterforening) in collaboration with the Norwegian Theater Leaders' Forum (Norsk teaterlederforum).
[1][2] Recipients of the honorary prize have included Wenche Foss (in 2002), Jon Fosse (2003), and Toralv Maurstad and Espen Skjønberg (both in 2005).
[3][4] Else Nordvang in 2008, Edith Roger in 2010 and Bjørn Sundquist in 2017.