Incandescences 2025: a springboard for new theater talents

Back for its fourth edition, this essential theater event supports the region's emerging and established artists. For five days, the audience discovers new worlds, and the jury selects two projects to be shared more widely.

From June 17 to 21, 2025, the Théâtre des Célestins and the Théâtre National Populaire de Villeurbanne will host this 4th edition. Designed as a true artistic springboard, this award highlights emerging projects as well as accomplished shows, led by emerging or established companies.

^{© Katell Paugam - Random Access Memories}

Created with a desire for equality between artistic teams, the Prix Incandescences “stands out for its ability to foster exchanges, the circulation of works, and encounters. It is aimed at all artistic teams in the region, emerging or established, in a spirit of equality,” according to the two directors of the institutions, Pierre-Yves Lenoir and Jean Bellorini. It is therefore a true highlight of the local cultural calendar.

For this 2025 edition, 10 show models and 4 finalized productions will be presented in the two partner theaters.

Models - June 17 and 18: Ten projects in development will be presented during 20-minute sessions, spread over two days: June 17 at the Célestins and June 18 at the TNP. The models scheduled include:

How Ants Saved My Life (Le doute est permis Cie),
9 Thermidor (Les Gouffres Amers Company),
Mobile Homes (Star Eaters Company),
The Mountains Are Less Beautiful in Winter (Collective La Bande K7),
or even The Colors of the Arctic (Le Chant des Pistes Company).

Shows - June 20 and 21: As for the finalized shows, the public will be able to attend four performances at the TNP on Friday, then at the Célestins on Saturday:

The Incorruptible Bodies of Aurélia Lüscher (Cie le désordre des choses),
SOLANGE (Ébaubies Company),
Close your eyes, you will see more clearly by Ella & Pitr (Cosmic Ballet),
Random Access Memories (Cie Rouge Ciel).

^{© Romy Alizee - The Incorruptible Bodies}

Finally, two winners will be chosen by a jury composed of entertainment professionals from France, Belgium, and Switzerland. The "Maquettes" prize offers co-production support and programming at the TNP for the 2026-2027 season. The "Spectacles" prize guarantees programming at the Célestins for the same season.

In addition, this system is accompanied by "technical and artistic support, paid performances and increased visibility within the network of partner stages."

^{© Théâtre de l'Élysée - The mountains are less beautiful in winter}

Last year, the "Maquettes" prize was awarded to the Sagittarius A* company for Wonnangatta , while the La Grande Panique company won the "Spectacles" category for Mesure pour Mesure . Since then, both works have benefited from reception in leading venues and new production opportunities.

Locations: Les Célestins (Lyon 2nd) & the TNP (Villeurbanne)

Dates: June 17 & 18 (Models), June 20 & 21 (Shows)

Prices: Models: free upon reservation, Shows: €5 / €7 depending on conditions

Reservations: tnp-villeurbanne.com / theatredescelestins.com