Projects & Challenges

True to its reputation as an avant-garde theatre, the mission of the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées is to encourage artistic creativity, support young talent and contribute to the development of music and the performing arts. Throughout its history, the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées has welcomed new works, from Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring to Thierry Escaich's opera Point d'orgue and Crystal Pite's new ballet Animation. Thanks to co-productions, the Theatre is able to share its rich and eclectic programming each season. In 2023-2024, the Theatre brought La Cenerentola and La Sonnambula to the Semperoper Dresden, Dialogues des Carmélites to the Finnish National Opera in Helsinki, Julius Caesar in Egypt to the Opéra de Rome and David et Jonathas to the Grand Théâtre du Luxembourg. 

The International Circle, which takes over from the TCE's American Friends, aims to support co-productions and tours, encourage the emergence of international artists, and work to preserve the Theatre's architectural and artistic heritage.

The Theatre is a place for living, meeting and discovering. Open to all, it aims to strengthen social cohesion and civic solidarity.

Every season, 20,000 young people benefit from programs designed especially for them. Every year, almost 10,000 tickets are purchased at the youth rate, and the Theatre has more than 430 members under 26. As of September 2025, the Youth Membership will be extended to under-30s, and 3 previews of staged operas will be reserved exclusively for them. 

Convinced of the importance of introducing children to music from an early age, the TCE presents a participatory opera each season, welcoming over 15,000 schoolchildren thanks to the support of its patrons. This year, they discovered Un Elixir d'amour, based on Donizetti, directed by Manuel Renga. One Sunday a month, the Theatre will also be offering “Family Sundays”. The program, which is accessible to the youngest members of the family, as well as other activities, will enable spectators to share a unique moment as a family.

During the Young Audience Participatory Opera, the Theatre works with schools in Paris and the surrounding region (REP and REP+ classes and specialized institutes) to introduce young people to classical music and singing.

Arkema has partnered with this initiative, inviting more than 500 children to the Theatre by setting up singing workshops, visits, and a dedicated program throughout the school year. In 2026, they will have the opportunity to discover Roméo et Juliette by Charles Gounod, directed by Johanna Boyé. 

Since the official launch of the Theatre's Accessibility Program supported by the Engie Foundation, the Theatre's team has set up many new actions for people with disabilities. In 2024-2025, 6 performances were presented in audio description and 2 in LSF (French Sign Language) for the participatory opera Un Elixir d'amour, as well as Dialogues des Carmélites, Werther and Le Chevalier à la rose. New features at the TCE included an audio-described performance of the ballet The Snow Queen, a first Relax session designed to make it easier to welcome people with mental disabilities, and dance-therapy workshops on Un Elixir d'amour for adults with mental disabilities.

Now at the heart of our societies and our cultural practices, digital technology is also an important vector for opening up and creating social links. In the wake of the health crisis, the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées has seized on this formidable tool to set up TCE LIVE, a channel dedicated to its digital programming.

Each season, 5 to 6 staged operas, as well as a series of concerts and dance performances, are captured and broadcast, enabling everyone to experience the emotion of a live performance. More than just a means of transmission, TCE LIVE aims to diversify the Theatre's audience and extend access to music to audiences who are geographically, socially or culturally remote. Since its launch in December 2020, TCE live has racked up over 1.5 million views for 22 videos posted online.

The Theatre is committed to sustainable thinking and action on its environmental impact, in order to meet the new challenges facing society. With the exception of staged operas, the TCE's programs are no longer printed, and can now be consulted online. 

For the 2024-2025 season, the Fondation du Théâtre des Champs-Elysées has launched its first major project: equipping the orchestra pit with new spotlights. The latest-generation Led technology, durable and low-maintenance, is intended to replace the current halogen lamps, which consume much more energy.