Classe Libre Audition

2026 September
17 ans
Audition
2 ans
French
Classe Libre Théâtre

The Classe Libre was created 45 years ago to offer two years of free training to a group of around twenty students each year. Each year a three-round audition process is organised to select the participants. This highly-selective competition is held in French and gives international candidates the opportunity to present to the jury panel, in addition to the official competition programm, an audition piece performed in their native language.

The admissions for the audition are open from October to January !

 

A contest in three rounds

The Classe Libre was created in 1979. It selects 20 candidates whose personalities and aptitudes are rewarded with free access to the Cours Florent as well as privileged two-year training in Paris.

1st Round: 

  • A dialogue scene from the universal theatrical repertoire of the 20th or 21st century (3 minutes maximum).
  • A solo free performance: scenic expression such as dance, singing, movement, or interpretation of a personal text (2 minutes maximum).

During all three rounds, no technical support (lighting and sound) will be available. Candidates who need to play sound must bring their own equipment. A piano will be provided. It is also recommended to avoid significant costume changes. If the candidate cannot bring a scene partner, a Cours Florent student will be available on the day of the audition.

The start and end dates for the 1st and 2nd rounds are provided for information only. Depending on the number of registered candidates, these dates may vary. Candidates will be informed before the beginning of the 1st and 2nd rounds.

2nd Round:

  • A dialogue scene from the universal theatrical repertoire between the 16th century and the end of the 19th century (3 minutes maximum)
  • A dialogue scene from the universal theatrical repertoire of the 20th and 21st centuries or from French cinema repertoire of the 20th century. (3 minutes maximum)
  • A free performance excluding any theatrical text (dance, singing, novel adaptation, personal writing, monologue from French cinema repertoire...) OR a scene in the candidate's native language if French is not their usual language. (3 minutes maximum)

If the candidate cannot bring a scene partner, a Cours Florent student will be available on the day of the audition. The free performance can be the same as in the first round. The jury will choose two of the three proposals and reserves the right, if deemed necessary, to have candidates work on their scenes again.

The start and end dates for the 1st and 2nd rounds are provided for information only. Depending on the number of registered candidates, these dates may vary. Candidates will be informed before the beginning of the 1st and 2nd rounds.

3rd Round:

  • A single mandatory monologue, the same for all candidates. This monologue will be sent to candidates after the results of the 2nd round.
  • A dialogue scene of your choice from the universal theatrical repertoire written between 1564 (Shakespeare's birth) and 1991 (Bernard-Marie Koltès' death) (4 minutes maximum). Please note that no monologues will be accepted.
  • An interview with the jury.

AND for candidates whose usual language is not French:

  • A scene or monologue in their native language (2 minutes maximum).

The jury reserves the right to have candidates work on their scenes again if deemed necessary.

This audition is extremely selective as only 20 candidates are selected from 1,500. This is the reason why we want to start our auditions, for the first round, outside of Paris to allow all candidates to apply easily. 

Five cities will welcome the first round of the contest: Paris, Brussels, Montpellier, Bordeaux and Lyon. The selected candidates will then join Paris for the second and third rounds. 

Directed by teacher in the professional acting course and other invited artists classes, workshops, specific trainings are proposed to the 20 students of the first year and the 20 of the second year. 

The students have access to all the various classes that are proposed in the professional training course as well. It is also to be mentioned that the students of the Classe Libre are directed into shows to which professionals (directors, casting directors, agents…) are invited. 

Some famous Classe Libre students: Audrey Tautou, Dominique Blanc, Sylvie Testud, José Garcia, Eric Ruf, Stanley Weber, Pierre Niney...

The international applicants can audition for the three rounds in French and in their native language.

Practical information about the International Contest of the Classe Libre:

Convocation : The day and hour of your convocation to the first round will be sent to you via e-mail, after confirmation of your request.