THÉÂTRE DE L’ENTROUVERT
ÉLISE VIGNERON
“Through the fragility of matter, through the animation of bodies and images, I invite the audience to experience a sensory journey that enters into the metaphorical language of a silent theater.”
Élise Vigneron
The Théâtre de l’Entrouvert company was founded in 2010 by Élise Vigneron, who trained in visual arts, circus arts, and puppetry (she graduated from the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts de la Marionnette in Charleville-Mézières).
At the crossroads of disciplines, the company upholds a contemporary vision of the art of puppetry while drawing inspiration from its origins.
The Théâtre de l’Entrouvert’s creations take many forms: stage performances, site-specific projects, processional works, participatory or immersive pieces, art-and-science collaborations, or visual installations.
Élise Vigneron often draws inspiration from a literary work, translating it to the stage through a visual language composed of images, materials, sounds, movements, and sometimes words.
The themes of metamorphosis and the “in-between,” central to her work, emerge through the staging of ephemeral materials.
Each project reexamines how audiences engage with the performance, using specific setups that encourage a shared sensory experience.
The Théâtre de l’Entrouvert’s projects are presented on multidisciplinary stages and in major international festivals, such as the Festival d’Avignon, the World Festival of Puppet Theatres in Charleville-Mézières, the Seoul Performing Arts Festival, Mime London, the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, Down to Earth Festival in New York, and the Dialangshan Festival in China.
Élise Vigneron is currently an associate artist at La Halle aux grains – Scène nationale de Blois (41), the Théâtre de Châtillon (92), and the Théâtre Joliette in Marseille (13).
She is the 2026 laureate of the Villa Kujoyama residency program, where she will collaborate with dancer and choreographer Azusa Takeuchi.
The Théâtre de l’Entrouvert company is supported by the French Ministry of Culture, the Région Sud, and the Vaucluse Departmental Council.
Its creations receive additional support from the City of Apt (84), SPEDIDAM, and ADAMI. The company’s touring activities are supported by ONDA, and its international projects by the Institut Français.
AWARD
Élise Vigneron has received several major distinctions as a puppeteer and stage director.
2025, ‘Aerowaves Twenty26 Artist’ Satchie Noro – Cie Furinkaï and Elise Vigneron – Théâtre de l’Entrouvert were selected by the European platform Aerowaves for MIZU.
2022, TRAVERSÉES received the “Young Critics’ Prize” at the 21st International Puppet Festival in Bielsko-Biala, Poland.
2019, Élise Vigneron received the “International Creation / Experimentation Prize” awarded by the International Institute of Puppetry.
2018, ANYWHERE received the “Henry Bauchau Prize”.
2017, ANYWHERE won the “Vice Major Award” at the international festival of Ostrava in the Czech Republic.
2011, TRAVERSÉES received the “Innovative Performance Prize” and the “Scenography Prize” at the international festival of Lleida in Spain.