Francophone Theater Festival for Students
Since 1999, Première Scène has brought together more than 400 students each year from around twenty schools in North America, France, and beyond. This theater festival has become a highlight of the Francophone community in New York.
Première Scène offers French-speaking students — or those learning French — the opportunity to immerse themselves in the language through theater: memorizing texts, exploring their meaning, and bringing them to life on stage. It is also a special moment for meeting and exchanging with fellow young theater enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds.
Each group presents a piece under five minutes long, either an original creation or an excerpt from a play, with minimal set and props. This constraint fosters creativity and highlights what matters most: the actors’ performances.
All pieces revolve around a common theme, renewed each year.
The festival is supported by the Fondation Cadahemark.
Rules
- Maximum duration: 5 minutes per scene
- Set limited to chairs
- Props must fit inside a suitcase
- No stage lighting
For video submissions:
- Simplicity is recommended — acting takes precedence over production
- Landscape format (.mov, 1920 x 1080)
- No graphic titles
- Royalty-free music permitted
2026 Edition
Theme :
Curiosity
Dates :
- Grades 11 and 12 : Friday, February 6 at 6pm
- Grades 3 to 8 : Saturday, February 7 at 10am
- Grades 9 and 10 : Saturday, February 7 at 4pm
Watch the festival replay!
Congratulations to the 2026 Winners:
Grades 11 & 12
Grades 9 & 10
Grades 3 to 8
Video
Thank you to all participating schools and their talented students
Questions? Interested in participating next year?
Contact our organizing teachers: Nathalie Roussel and Frédéric Yvelin.
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