Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The National Conservatoire supérieur d'art dramatique (CNSAD) originated in the Conservatoire de musique et de déclamation, established in 1784 as the Royal School of Singing and Declamation. In 1795, the declamation was taught as a component of musical training. It was only in 1806, with an imperial decree, that dramatic art acquired a certain pedagogical autonomy, although the student actors and musicians continued to share common events, such as awards, until the mid-19th century.

In 1946, a major split took place: the National Conservatory of Music and Drama was divided into two distinct entities. The CNSAD was officially born on 7 October 1946 and installed in the Hôtel des Menus-Plaisirs, rue du Conservatoire in Paris, a building that had already housed the institution between 1795 and 1911. This place, decorated in 1943 by Maurice Brianchon and Margueritte Louppe, became the symbol of independent dramatic teaching. In 1968, under the direction of Antoine Vitez, the establishment took its present name.

Since its establishment, the CNSAD has been under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture and operates as a public administrative institution. His organization is based on a board of directors, chaired successively by figures such as Hervé-Adrien Metzger (2012), Hortense Archambault (2015-2021), and Anne Loiret (since 2021). The entrance competition, reputedly demanding, takes place in three rounds, and the training combines theatrical tradition with educational modernity, combining classroom courses and practical workshops.

The CNSAD maintains a close link with the Young National Theatre (JTN), created in 1971 to facilitate the professional integration of young actors from the Conservatoire or the École du Théâtre national de Strasbourg. For three years, these artists have received financial support from the State, enabling them to integrate more easily into the theatre and cinema. The establishment, classified as a historic monument in November 2024, today embodies the excellence of dramatic formation in France.

The Hotel des Menus-Plaisirs, the current headquarters of the CNSAD, is a historic building. Built in the 18th century, it housed the Conservatoire de musique et de déclamation until 1911, before becoming again, in 1946, the heart of dramatic teaching. Its theatre, formerly dedicated to concerts, now hosts the students' workshops. The building, located at 2bis rue du Conservatoire, has been fully protected since 2024, highlighting its heritage importance.

External links