Rima Abdul Malak, Minister of Culture, in full agreement with Michel Bisson, President of the Greater Paris South Seine-Essonne-Sénart Agglomeration Community, Jean-François Parigi, President of the Departmental Council of Seine-et-Marne, and René Réthoré, President of the EPCC Théâtre de Sénart, approves the appointment of Caroline Simpson Smith as director of the Théâtre-Sénart, national stage in Lieusaint, on the unanimous proposal of the jury meeting on March 23, 2023.

Caroline Simpson Smith has been Deputy Director of the Théâtre-Sénart since 2012, having served as General Secretary for about 10 years. Previously, she held public relations and communications positions at the Macon National Scene, the Maison des Arts de Créteil and the Paris Quartier d'été festival.

Caroline Simpson Smith proposed a project for the Théâtre-Sénart “with the artists, as close as possible to the inhabitants”, which is in keeping with the current project of the national scene, while developing its territorial anchorage and its openness to all audiences.

The proposed new programming dynamic will give a greater place to certain emerging disciplines such as dance performances, alongside works from the repertoire. Today’s music and digital arts will find visibility in a new IcoSonic biennial, which will be launched in 2025.

Four associated artistic teams will embody the artistic permanence, with choreographers Soria Rem and Mehdi Ouachek of the Art Move Company, trumpeter Airelle Besson, the actor, author and director David Geselson of the Compagnie Lieux dits and the company Les ombres portées. The Théâtre-Sénart will welcome artists in residence throughout the year and in all fields of live performance, and will accompany them in the production of their shows.

Expanding and renewing the public will be a priority for Caroline Simpson Smith to make the Théâtre-Sénart a home open to all, listening to collective and individual cultural practices, in a spirit of hospitality that makes the reputation of this place. 2026 will see the creation of the festival «Les Elémentaires», a festive and family outdoor event.

Caroline Simpson Smith succeeds Jean-Michel Puiffe, whose minister would like to commend the commitment and action carried out for more than twenty years for the Théâtre-Sénart and the territory of the South Seine-and Marnais, culminating in particular in the construction of a building that is today a leading place for the production and dissemination of live performances.