Shabano

What Shabano does

Théâtre du Shabano is a French theater company founded in 2006 by Franco-Peruvian stage director Valentina Arce, headquartered in Val-de-Marne, Île-de-France, and operating as an association loi 1901. The company produces contemporary poetic and multicultural theater for young audiences, combining puppetry, shadow theater, object theater, animated paper, live music, and — since 2022 — scientific content under the "Échos du vivant" cycle. Its repertoire spans nine productions (2005–2026) rooted in Amazonian, Andean, Mapuche, African, and Asian oral traditions, plus a proprietary "écobiographie" methodology co-developed with philosopher Jean-Philippe Pierron. Core team consists of approximately six people (artistic director, production, administration) plus an extended network of puppeteers, musicians, choreographers, image creators, and sound designers.

The business model is hybrid and predominantly publicly-funded. Revenue is generated through three streams: (1) performance fees from touring productions hosted by theaters and operas (Opéra Grand Avignon, Opéra de Tours, GRRRANIT Belfort, Théâtre Antoine Watreau, etc.); (2) recurring public subsidies and operating grants from DRAC Île-de-France, Ville de Paris, Département du Val-de-Marne, Région Île-de-France, and Plaine Vallée communauté d'agglomération; and (3) project-based foundation grants, notably from Fondation de France's "Grandir en cultures" program (laureate 2022). Pricing is venue-determined and not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market is event-driven and community-led, anchored by territorial artistic residencies (résidences de territoire) in schools and cultural venues across Île-de-France, plus festival circuit presence (Avignon OFF, Charleville-Mézières, Méli'môme, Théâtre à Tout Âge). Customer segments include young audiences and families (primary), educational institutions (secondary), and cultural venues/theaters (secondary). Geographic reach is national with concentration in Île-de-France; there is no evidence of international commercial operations.

Name

Shabano

Legal name

Compagnie Théâtre du Shabano

Website

https://shabano.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Théâtre du Shabano is a French puppet and object theater company founded in 2006, producing contemporary multicultural stage works for young audiences and running territorial artistic residencies in schools, primarily funded by public subsidies and foundation grants across Île-de-France.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190), Other Performing Arts Companies (71119)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Classical & Contemporary Theatre (Plays/Drama) (MPAGABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB), Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB), Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB)

Keywords

• Theater productions
• Puppetry performance
• Young audience theater
• Shadow theater
• Artistic residencies

Headquarters

HQ city

Val-de-Marne

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Performance Revenue: Ticket sales from theater performances at venues including Opéra Grand Avignon, Opéra de Tours, and various theaters across France. The company tours its repertoire productions (Contes et Murmures du Grand Tambour, Le Bleu des Abeilles, Extra-SensibleS) and newly created works (Arbre Abuela 2026).
2. Public Subsidies and Grants: The company receives funding from multiple public bodies: DRAC Île-de-France (project aid), Ville de Paris (creation and dissemination aid), Département du Val-de-Marne (operational and development aid), and Région Île-de-France. Additional support from Plaine Vallée community for territorial residencies.
3. Foundation and Institutional Support: Laureate funding from Fondation de France (2022, Grandir en cultures programme). Support from Art pour Grandir (Ville de Paris), and various cultural foundations including Fondation Casino, Fondation Del Duca, and Fontenay Solidaire.
4. Territorial Artistic Residency Services: The company conducts artistic residency projects (résidences de territoire) in schools and cultural institutions, creating educational content and performances in partnership with educational establishments and cultural venues.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Théâtre du Shabano creates and tours contemporary theatrical productions for young audiences, combining puppetry, shadow theater, object theater with animated paper, and live music. The company also conducts territorial artistic residencies in schools and cultural institutions, integrating art and science through its 'Échos du vivant' cycle and écobiographie methodology. It operates nine productions in repertoire and develops new creations with public institutional support.

Product overview

Théâtre du Shabano is a French theater company founded in 2006 by Valentina Arce, specializing in contemporary theatrical productions for young audiences. The company creates original poetic and multicultural stage writing where puppets, objects, music, sciences, and living elements intertwine. Their repertoire includes nine distinct productions spanning from 2005 to 2026, ranging from Amazonian myths (La Fille du Grand Serpent) to Andean legends (Inti et le Grand Condor), Colombian stories (Amaranta), and contemporary ecological themes (Extra-sensibleS, Arbre Abuela). Since 2022, the company has developed the 'Échos du vivant' cycle integrating art and science. The company also conducts territorial artistic residencies and educational programs in schools across Île-de-France.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Arbre Abuela Theatrical creation for young audiences featuring puppetry and scenic writing, inspired by Amazonian cultures. Part of the Échos du vivant cycle exploring human relationships with living things.
• Extra-SensibleS Traveling laboratory performance for thinking with forests and living things. Targets middle and high school students, exploring ecological interdependence through shadow theater and animated matter.
• Le Bleu des Abeilles Object theater with animated paper, based on Laura Alcoba's novel. Explores exile and memory through puppet manipulation and live performance for young audiences aged 7+.
• Contes & Murmures du Grand Tambour Trilogy of traditional wisdom tales from Africa, Asia, and South America performed by two puppeteers and a musician, featuring shadow theater behind a large drum.
• Amaranta Colombian contemporary tale combining puppets and projected shadows, exploring themes of children's philosophy and ancestral wisdom.
• La Princesse et le Garçon Porcher Theatrical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's tale, combining contemporary theater with animated projections and visual storytelling.
• Wayra et le Sorcier de la Grande Montagne Chilean Mapuche legend featuring performers, puppets, and masks, celebrating resistance and courage.
• Inti et le Grand Condor Traditional tale from the Andes Cordillera featuring theater, music, dance, and shadow techniques.
• La Fille du Grand Serpent Tupi myth from Amazonia exploring the origins of the world through masked performers, puppets, and indigenous music.
• Artistic Actions / Échos du vivant Program Territorial residencies and artistic projects combining arts and sciences for schools, exploring ecological themes and eco-biography writing with students. Includes the Ma Parole pour le Vivant, Ecobiographie et Ondes Sonores, Les Echos du vivant programs in collaboration with schools, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, and scientific partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Territorial residency Ma Parole pour le Vivant conducted with Collège Jean Macé (4 classes of 4e/3e) and Lycée Pablo Picasso (2 classes of 2nde), with public restitution at Théâtre Halle Roublot.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DRAC Île-de-FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDirection Régionale des Affaires Culturelles d'Île-de-France provides project funding and territorial residency support. Plaine Vallée residency is made possible with DRAC IDF backing. DRAC also supports Arbre Abuela project funding.
• Ville de PariscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArbre Abuela received Aide à la création from Ville de Paris. The company participates in the 'Art pour Grandir' programme of the Ville de Paris, which funds artistic residencies in schools. Support also includes Aide à la diffusion for touring.
• Département du Val-de-MarnecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe company receives Aide au développement artistique from the Département du Val-de-Marne. The department also provides Aide au fonctionnement support. The Val-de-Marne Journal covered the company's Bateau de Thésée residency.
• Communauté d'Agglomération Plaine ValléecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelected for a 2025–2027 territorial residency 'Les Echos du vivant – Les eaux, les forêts et la ville, territoires réels et territoires intimes' across municipalities including Andilly, Margency, Saint-Prix, and Domont. First major event scheduled for 4 July 2026.
• Théâtre Halle RoublotcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThéâtre Halle Roublot in Fontenay-sous-Bois is a key territorial partner, hosting residencies including 'Ma Parole pour le Vivant' and 'Le Bateau de Thésée'. Hosts restitution events and is a member of the supporting organizations network.
• Théâtre Douze – Ligue de l'EnseignementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for school-based artistic residencies. Works with the company on Art pour Grandir programme activities and co-hosts the Avignon 'Cour du Spectateur' programming for young audience companies.
• Maison du Geste et de l'Image (MGI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMGI is a key educational partner for school-based projects. The company has conducted multiple projects with MGI, including stop-motion animation workshops with Collège Mendes France and theater projects with Collège Verlaine.
• Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (Paris)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific partner for Art pour Grandir residences. Scientists Sahima Hamlaoui and Maria Cellamare lead plankton study sessions with students at the Muséum. The company works with scientists for 'Extra-SensibleS' and other art-science projects.
• Maison des MétallosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural venue partner in Paris for the 'Art pour Grandir' programme. Hosted student visits and performances as part of the 'La Nature et Moi' residency with Collège Bernard Palissy students.
• GRRRANIT – Scène nationale de BelfortminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational stage venue in Belfort hosting performances of Le Bleu des Abeilles (May 2025) and conducting territorial shadow theater residencies with local schools.
• Réseau MOTIF (Marionnette Objet Théâtre Ile-de-France)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of eight Île-de-France structures supporting puppet and object theater. Granted co-production support for Arbre Abuela under the 'Mieux Produire Mieux Diffuser' scheme. Member structures include La Nef, Théâtre aux Mains Nues, Théâtre Halle Roublot, Mouffetard CNMa, and others.
• Cie Tro HéolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted creation residencies for 'Le Vivant et moi' (Extra-SensibleS precursor) from 24 July to 5 August, providing space for work with sound designer, musician, scenographer, and puppeteer.
• Centre des arts d'Enghien-les-Bains (CDA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Festival Tintamar's where Lycée Monod students performed their ecobiography work created in partnership with the company. The CDA coordinates with the company for artistic residencies.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Compagnie Tro Héol: French puppet/object theater company referenced in Shabano's data as a host for creation residencies (Extra-SensibleS precursor, summer 2023). Operates in the same puppetry/visual-theater niche for young audiences in France.
• Compagnie À fleur de peau: Choreographic and physical theater company founded by Denise Namura, longtime Shabano collaborator. Comparable scale and French touring footprint with overlap in the integration of movement, puppetry, and visual arts for young audiences.
• Compagnie L'Arbre à Nomade: Street theater company for which Shabano puppeteer Edwige Latrille previously worked. Operates in the French outdoor/visual performance space for young audiences, sharing performer talent pools and methodological overlap in object/puppet manipulation.
• Compagnie La Maison: Theater company co-directed by Julie Rossello Rochet (Shabano's dramaturg). Comparable French small-scale theater company with DRAC and regional funding support, operating in young-adult and family programming.
• Le Mouffetard - Centre National de la Marionnette: National puppetry center in Paris and member of Réseau MOTIF. Both organizations stage and tour puppet theater for young audiences and share the MOTIF co-production network.
• La Nef: Puppet and object theater company in Pantin, member of Réseau MOTIF alongside Shabano. Comparable in artistic discipline (object/puppet theater), target audience (young audiences), and Île-de-France touring footprint.
• Compagnie PETIPATAPON: Puppet/object theater company founded by Oleka Fernandez, a Shabano collaborator (shadow theater master classes). Comparable artistic practice in shadow theater and puppeteer training for young audiences.
• Théâtre aux Mains Nues: Paris-based puppet and object theater company and member of Réseau MOTIF alongside Shabano. Both companies train puppeteers, stage shadow and object theater for young audiences, and operate in Île-de-France.

Emerging players

• Compagnie Sale Défaite: Collective co-founded in 2019 by Mélicia Baussan, who serves as Shabano's stage-direction collaborator. Comparable emerging French theater collective operating in contemporary stage writing and dramaturgy.

Regional players

• Théâtre Halle Roublot: Fontenay-sous-Bois theater hosting Shabano residencies (Ma Parole pour le Vivant, Le Bateau de Thésée). Comparable in the same Val-de-Marne puppetry ecosystem and member of MOTIF; functions both as venue and producer of puppet theater for young audiences.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shabano

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shabano