Théâtre de l'Opprimé

What Théâtre de l'Opprimé does

Théâtre de l'Opprimé is an independent non-profit performing-arts venue and cultural association (loi 1901) founded in 1996 in the 12th arrondissement of Paris at 78/80 rue du Charolais. It is the only Parisian institution exclusively dedicated to Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed methodology, with a core product of Forum Theatre — an interactive format in which spectators intervene directly in performances to rehearse social transformations. The theatre operates a 120 m² performance hall with an 86-seat gradin (expandable to 130 places), fully renovated in 2022, and runs a diversified programme of live spectacles, venue rental, training workshops, and decentralised Forum Theatre interventions delivered directly in prisons, schools, universities, disadvantaged neighbourhoods, and healthcare centres.

The organisation serves four primary customer segments: a general performing-arts audience purchasing tickets (€18 standard, €12 for members) or annual memberships (€20/year); professional and amateur theatre companies renting the venue for rehearsals and performances (30+ companies in 2025); educational and social institutions commissioning Forum Theatre sessions; and theatre practitioners enrolling in accredited training programmes. Distribution runs through the Mapado online ticketing platform, on-site door sales, direct rental enquiries, and a multi-channel marketing mix spanning Instagram, Facebook, X, email newsletter, and institutional partner referrals.

Revenue is generated from four streams: own-programming box office and rental fees (transaction-based), training and workshop fees (professional services), membership fees (recurring at €20/year), and — until 2025 — a €38,000 annual operating subsidy from DRAC Île-de-France (now withdrawn). The theatre also participates in European-funded projects (INTEGRATE, SPGs) and benefits from co-funding relationships with the Ville de Paris and Région Île-de-France. The permanent team is now three salaried employees, down from five, following the 2025 subsidy withdrawal, with director Rui Frati leading direction and international projects. As of 2025 the theatre is publicly campaigning for restoration of public funding to avoid closure during its 30th anniversary year in 2026.

Name

Théâtre de l'Opprimé

Legal name

Théâtre de l'Opprimé

Website

https://theatredelopprime.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Théâtre de l'Opprimé is a Paris-based non-profit venue (founded 1996) dedicated to Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed, hosting live spectacles, venue rental, and Forum Theatre interventions for general audiences, schools, prisons, and healthcare institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Venue

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB)

Keywords

• Forum theater performances
• Theater training programs
• Performing arts venue
• Venue rental services
• Participatory theater workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Own-generated box office and rental revenue: The theatre generates revenue primarily through ticket sales for its own programming and venue rental fees charged to external companies and organisations that use the space for rehearsals, light designs, captures, and performances.
2. Government institutional subsidies (now withdrawn): Since its opening in 1996, the theatre received an annual operating subsidy of €38,000 from DRAC Île-de-France. This subsidy was fully withdrawn in 2025, creating a severe deficit and threatening the theatre's survival.
3. Membership/adhesion fees: Annual membership (adhésion) at €20 per year, valid for one year from receipt of payment, providing reduced-rate access to all season spectacles.
4. Training and workshop fees: Revenue from structured training programmes and Forum Theatre workshops, including annual weekly workshops and specialised summer courses (stages).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Théâtre de l'Opprimé is an independent non-profit theater venue in Paris's 12th arrondissement that operates on Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed methodology. The theatre hosts live performances, Forum Theatre sessions where audiences intervene in the action, training workshops in the Boal methodology, venue rental to external theatre companies, and international European projects, alongside decentralised outreach activities in prisons, schools, universities, and care centres.

Product overview

Théâtre de l'Opprimé is an independent theater venue in Paris offering a portfolio of offerings centered on the Theater of the Oppressed methodology developed by Augusto Boal. The core products include Théâtre-Forum (interactive performances where audiences intervene), Spectacles (live theatrical productions from resident and visiting companies), and Stages et Formations (training workshops in Oppressed Theater techniques). Additional services include room rental for external groups and international collaboration projects. The theater operates as a single venue with a 120m² performance hall, seating 86, renovated in 2022, serving both professional performances and social/community activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Théâtre-Forum (Forum Theatre)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 40% increase in spectators year-over-year (2024 to 2025)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DRAC Île-de-France (Direction Régionale des Affaires Culturelles d'Île-de-France)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe regional cultural authority of the French Ministry of Culture. Since the theatre's opening in 1996, DRAC Île-de-France granted an annual operating subsidy of €38,000. This subsidy was fully withdrawn in 2025, creating a financial crisis threatening the theatre's survival. The theatre is actively campaigning for its restoration.
• Ville de Paris (City of Paris)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Paris is a key institutional partner, supporting the theatre's operations and renovation. The theatre's venue was fully renovated in 2022 with financial support from the Ville de Paris, DRAC, and Région Île-de-France.
• Région Île-de-FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Île-de-France regional council co-funded the theatre's 2022 venue renovation alongside the Ville de Paris and DRAC.
• Service Civique / Agence du Service CiviqueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerService Civique is referenced as an institutional partner supporting civic engagement programmes at the theatre.
• European UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe European Union supports the theatre's international projects including INTEGRATE (INclusion and educaTional EnliGhtenment with dRAma and ThEatre) and SPGs (Sustainable Participation Goals), as well as cultural programming through Actes IF.
• CRTH (Centre de Recherche sur le Théâtre Hors les murs)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a cultural partner on the theatre's official partners page. CRTH is a centre dedicated to research on theatre outside of traditional venues.
• Théâtre du Ring (Le Ring)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a cultural partner on the theatre's official partners page.
• Cinémathèque FrançaiseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a cultural partner on the theatre's official partners page. One of France's major film institutions.
• Al Alma FranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a cultural partner on the theatre's official partners page. A Franco-Arabic cultural association.
• Claje MontgalletminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a cultural partner on the theatre's official partners page. A local associative cultural space in the 12th arrondissement.
• Université Paris 3 Sorbonne NouvelleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a university partner on the theatre's official partners page, facilitating educational and research collaborations.
• IUT Paris DescartesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a university partner on the theatre's official partners page.
• IFÉ-ENS (Institut Français de l'Éducation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a university partner on the theatre's official partners page. Part of the École Normale Supérieure network.
• Cultures du CœurminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner on the theatre's official partners page. An association promoting cultural access for disadvantaged populations.
• Pass Culture 12e arrondissementminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a partner on the theatre's official partners page. A cultural access scheme administered by the 12th arrondissement town hall of Paris, facilitating ticket access for young people.
• European project partners (INTEGRATE and SPGs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe theatre participates in two European projects: INTEGRATE (INclusion and educaTional EnliGhtenment with dRAma and ThEatre) and SPGs (Sustainable Participation Goals). It also conducted international work commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Chilean Coup d'État and the Eldorado do Carajás massacre in Brazil.
• Theatre companies and artistic groups (venue renters)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOver 30 theatre companies rent the venue annually, including La Compagnie Circônflexe, La Compagnie Déesse Téa, L'association Al Alma France, L'association Carinae, L'association Corbeilles et Poulaillers, L'association Mise en Pièces, L'association Porte des Lilas, L'association Soy Création, L'association Le Pari de Lacan, Le collectif Baba Yaga, La Fille de l'Eau, Fovéa, La Boîte à outils, Les Toupies, Lamalo, J't'embrasse, Les Rêves Orange, Le Studio de formation théâtrale, École Aberratio, Conservatoire Erik Satie, Conservatoire Paul Dukas, Dodékamédia, FDL Production, One Culture, and others.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Le Monfort Théâtre: Mid-sized Parisian venue with contemporary and family programming; comparable in size (~700 seats vs. 130 here) and as a publicly supported cultural venue offering residency and workshop programming.
• Centro do Teatro do Oprimido (CTO Rio): Augusto Boal's original Rio-based Theatre of the Oppressed centre; the most direct methodological peer — both are non-profit hubs that teach and propagate Boal's Forum Theatre across educational and social settings.
• Théâtre de l'Athénée: Parisian theatre presenting classical and contemporary works with public support; comparable as a venue of similar scale programming theatre for a culturally engaged Parisian audience.
• Maison des Métallos: Paris cultural venue combining artistic programming with social/civic missions; comparable in scale, public-funding model, and blending of theatre with community/educational outreach.
• Théâtre des Quartiers d'Ivry – CDN du Val-de-Marne: French Centre Dramatique National in the Paris region focused on contemporary creation and territorial cultural action; comparable as a public-funder-supported venue with a strong social-outreach mission.
• Théâtre du Soleil: Iconic Parisian non-profit theatre company at La Cartoucherie; comparable as an artist-led, mission-driven venue operating outside the mainstream commercial circuit and producing original socially-engaged work.

Broad incumbents

• Théâtre National de la Colline: French national theatre focused on contemporary creation; comparable as a publicly funded Parisian venue programming contemporary and socially engaged works for a similar audience profile.
• Théâtre de la Ville: Long-established municipal Paris theatre presenting contemporary international programming; comparable as a Paris-based performing-arts venue with public-subsidy dependence and a contemporary/diverse repertoire.
• Théâtre du Rond-Point: Larger Parisian public venue focused on contemporary text and politically engaged work; comparable as a publicly subsidised Paris theatre presenting socially relevant contemporary programming.

Regional players

• Théâtre de la Manufacture (Lausanne): Swiss university-affiliated theatre with a similar mix of production, training, and public-facing programming; comparable as a multi-disciplinary, publicly funded venue combining creation, pedagogy, and outreach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ThOpprime
• Facebookfacebook.com/theatredelopprimeparis
• Instagraminstagram.com/theatredelopprime
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/th%C3%A9%C3%A2tre-de-l-opprim%C3%A9

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Théâtre de l'Opprimé