Thomas Jolly and Laetitia Guédon Frontrunners to Lead Villeurbanne’s TNP
Villeurbanne, France – The race to succeed Jean Bellorini as director of the Théâtre National Populaire (TNP) in Villeurbanne has narrowed to four candidates, with Thomas Jolly and Laetitia Guédon emerging as strong frontrunners. The selection was made by a jury on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, according to reports from Tribune de Lyon.
A Notable Partnership
Thomas Jolly, renowned for his artistic direction of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, initially withdrew his candidacy due to controversy surrounding a proposal to integrate the TNP with the Pôle Pixel, a hub for image creation. However, he has re-entered the competition in partnership with Laetitia Guédon, the director of Plateaux Sauvages, an artistic factory in Paris. This pairing is seen as a strategic move, potentially addressing calls for greater parity and female representation in cultural leadership, as noted by Tribune de Lyon.
The Other Finalists
Alongside Jolly and Guédon, three other candidates are vying for the position:
- Marc Lainé: Currently the director of the Comédie de Valence.
- Arthur Nauzyciel: Leaving his post at the Théâtre National de Bretagne after completing his mandate.
- Séverine Chavrier: Director of the Comédie de Genève, whose leadership has recently faced scrutiny from employees.
Political Context and Future Decisions
The selection process is taking place as Rachida Dati, the current Minister of Culture, is expected to be replaced, potentially by Catherine Pégard, a cultural advisor to the President of the Republic, according to Tribune de Lyon. This change in leadership at the Ministry of Culture could influence the final decision.
Villeurbanne Mayor Cédric Van Styvendael expressed satisfaction with the selected candidates but refrained from commenting further, stating that a formal announcement would follow. The jury will further evaluate the four projects on June 11, 2026, before making a final determination.
Background on the Controversy
The potential integration of the TNP with the Pôle Pixel, initially proposed by Minister of Culture Rachida Dati in October 2025, sparked concerns among TNP staff who feared a “fusion” and the potential loss of the theater’s identity, as reported by Télérama. The Ministry subsequently clarified that the intention was a “collaboration,” but the initial announcement fueled debate about the future direction of the TNP.