Scène Nationale de l'Essonne — Season Theatre and Dance

Scène nationale de l'Essonne: an artistic hub in the heart of the department

Labeled a National Stage by the Ministry of Culture in 1991, the Scène nationale de l'Essonne is one of the most important cultural institutions in the department. For over thirty years, it has played an essential role in the dissemination of performing arts in Essonne, relying on two complementary venues: the Théâtre de l'Agora in Évry-Courcouronnes and the Centre Culturel Robert Desnos in Ris-Orangis.

Two venues, one common ambition

The Théâtre de l'Agora (Place de l'Agora, 91000 Évry-Courcouronnes, within the Le Spot Shopping Center) is the flagship venue of the Scène nationale. Its large hall and complementary spaces host the most ambitious productions, contemporary creations, and large-scale performances. The Centre Culturel Robert Desnos (3 Allée Jean Ferrat, Ris-Orangis) complements the offering with more intimate performances and artist residency projects.

A demanding multidisciplinary program

The season at the Scène nationale de l'Essonne is one of the most ambitious in the Paris region outside of Paris. Each season, around fifty performances spread from September to June cover the entire spectrum of performing arts: theatre, contemporary dance, circus, music, digital arts. The Scène nationale trusts the most important creators on the French and international scene, while ensuring accessible prices for the greatest number.

Highlights of the 2025-2026 season

The 2025-2026 season offered about sixty highly diverse events. Among the highlights: Requiem(s) by Angelin Preljocaj (dance, November 2025), a monumental work by the world-renowned choreographer; Chotto Desh by Akram Khan (dance, December 2025), an intimate performance by the master of British contemporary dance; Bovary Madame (theatre, December 2025), a reinterpretation of Flaubert's masterpiece; Histoire d'un Cid (theatre, October 2025); and to close the season, Carmen, opéra-paysage itinérant (June 2026), an open-air performance in the region's park. The season also featured shows for young audiences (Contes Chinois, Terrapolis) and contemporary digital art creations.

The 2026-2027 season

The 2026-2027 season of the Scène nationale de l'Essonne will be announced in the summer of 2026 during a public presentation. True to its artistic commitments, the Scène nationale will continue its demanding multidisciplinary programming, with performances of theatre, contemporary dance, circus, and music. Full program at scenenationale-essonne.com.

La Libre Scène: a space for living and exchange

At the heart of the Théâtre de l'Agora, La Libre Scène is a space for conviviality, cultural mediation, and early arts dedicated to children aged 0 to 6 and their families. This unique space makes the Scène nationale a place to live beyond just the performances, further anchoring the institution in the urban territory of Évry-Courcouronnes.

Commitment to cultural accessibility

The Scène nationale de l'Essonne is committed to a proactive pricing policy, with subscriptions and reduced rates allowing all audiences to access performances. Mediation activities aimed at audiences distant from culture—school groups, people with disabilities, socially vulnerable audiences—complement the artistic offering and reflect the institution's public service mission.