The Prépa’ Théâtre 93, a preparatory class for France’s national drama schools, is marking its tenth anniversary this year, having grown from a series of masterclasses into a fully accredited, two-year program. Founded in 2016 by Nicolas Bigards and Béatrice Houplain in partnership with the Bobigny Conservatory, the program aims to provide equal opportunities for aspiring actors aged 18 to 24.
Initially conceived as masterclasses, the Prépa’ Théâtre 93 expanded in 2018 through partnerships with the MC93, Maison de la Culture de Seine-Saint-Denis, and the conservatories of Bobigny, Aubervilliers-La Courneuve, and Pantin. This collaboration led to the program receiving official accreditation from the French Ministry of Culture in 2019, a status renewed in 2024, granting students official student status.
The program, which offers 1000 hours of training over two years, allows students to enter national drama school competitions after the first year. It focuses on intensive scene work, foundational theatrical techniques, and engagement with contemporary creation. The curriculum is delivered by a team of artists and educators who emphasize both collaborative work and the development of individual expression.
This year’s cohort was selected from a pool of over 140 applicants, with 45 participating in entrance auditions. The Prépa’ Théâtre 93 is supported by the Hermès Foundation, a partnership established in 2017.
Hortense Archambault, director of the MC93 since 2015, has positioned the institution as a “public space” for cultural engagement, particularly in the wake of recent societal tensions. The MC93 reopened in May 2017 after a two-year renovation, with Archambault’s first season unfolding “hors les murs” – outside the main building – in a former industrial site in La Courneuve. Archambault, previously co-director of the Avignon Festival from 2003 to 2013, has emphasized the importance of combining cultural action with contemporary writing, rejecting the notion that one must be prioritized over the other.
The MC93 aims to be a space where diverse audiences can engage with theatre, fostering a sense of community and reducing social anxieties. Archambault has described the institution as a “factory” – a place of creation and experimentation – and a vital component of the cultural landscape in Seine-Saint-Denis.
