Welcome to Cours Florent

At Cours Florent, we strive to provide our students with all the tools they need to discover their unique talents and thrive.

Our ambition is not only to equip students with the skills required to build a solid technique, but also to create an environment in which they feel safe to take risks and experiment. Through a process of exploration, we encourage each student to reach their full creative potential. 

Our approach is hands-on and rooted in learning through doing, supported by strong classical and theoretical foundations, regular and rigorous assessment, and highly personalised teaching from working professionals in theatre and film. We also promote inclusive practices and encourage identity-based exploration.

In response to the constantly evolving nature of the arts, Cours Florent continually adapts its teaching methods and support structures to meet the needs of its students, the industry, and the present moment. This demanding and dynamic approach encourages each student to commit fully to their artistic development. 

While individual growth is central, the programme also places strong emphasis on ensemble work and the collaborative nature of the performing arts, highlighting both the individual’s responsibility to the group and the group’s responsibility to the individual.

Training is delivered through:

• A structured and demanding programme designed to identify and develop each student’s unique artistic voice. The academic year is punctuated by regular assessments and presentations (known as échéances). Vocal and physical training provide the foundation for a strong classical technique. 
• A faculty composed of professionals actively working in theatre and film, bringing valuable industry experience into the classroom. 
• A wide range of courses and teaching approaches, allowing students to explore different methods and traditions and shape their own training journey. 
• Professional networking opportunities, alongside regular performance experiences. 
• Masterclasses, workshops, and theoretical sessions that develop critical thinking skills and complement practical training. 
• A project-based approach, offering opportunities to create personal work, refine technique, and develop as fully realised artistic creators. 
• A rich student life, with artistic and social events designed to encourage students to step beyond their comfort zones. 

Our responsibility is to train artists who are prepared for the wider professional environment by developing transferable skills such as communication, time management, empathy, physical and emotional expressivity, critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and teamwork.

To find and establish their place within today’s theatre and film industries, aspiring artists must be resourceful, disciplined, versatile, and imaginative.

Tradition with an international perspective

Cours Florent was founded in 1967 by François Florent, a man of the theatre and an innovative teacher. He developed a pioneering approach to artistic education, rethinking the way performing arts could be taught and introducing early training methods for acting on screen.

Originally from Alsace, François Florent grew up in a bilingual environment, speaking both French and German, with family ties in the United States. This multicultural background strongly influenced his teaching philosophy, instilling an openness to international perspectives from the outset.

From its creation, Cours Florent sought to expand beyond the traditional French pedagogical model by embracing a global outlook. It was the first drama school in France to offer training in English and to incorporate texts and methodologies from across the world.

Today, under the leadership of Austrian-born director Simone Strickner, the school continues to evolve, training new generations of artists from around the world while remaining committed to its founding principles of excellence, innovation, and openness.

An international community of 60+ nationalities

Cours Florent hosts a diverse international student body, welcoming students from more than 60 nationalities, and offers programmes delivered in English, French, German or Spanish within a multicultural learning environment. 

The faculty consists of active professionals – actors, directors and multidisciplinary artists – who combine industry experience with pedagogical expertise. Teaching reflects both European and Anglophone performance traditions, offering students exposure to varied artistic methodologies and perspectives.

The school promotes intercultural dialogue, collaborative practice and professional responsibility as essential components of artistic training.

At Cours Florent, training is both demanding and transformative—intellectually, emotionally, and physically. Within a vibrant international community where artistic courage is encouraged, we see teaching above all as the art of guiding discovery.

We are committed to fostering an environment built on trust, respect, and shared values, where every student feels supported and empowered to grow. The school must remain a safe space, enabling each individual to explore, take risks, and flourish.

Our commitments are reflected in several key areas:

• Promoting equality and the representation of women in the performing arts
  We are dedicated to highlighting the role of women in theatre and the audiovisual sector. Students regularly work on texts by female playwrights, with a balanced repertoire curated each year by the pedagogical team. Guest talks and conferences by female writers, directors, and filmmakers are also organised throughout the year. 
• Ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all
  We maintain a high level of vigilance to prevent and address any inappropriate behaviour. A dedicated staff member for Listening, Respect, and Equality supports students on a daily basis. Our shared charter commits students, teachers, and staff to mutual respect and responsible artistic practice, supported by training on key topics such as consent, power dynamics, non-discrimination, and the prevention of harassment. 
• Encouraging dialogue and student participation
  Class representatives facilitate communication between students and the school. Regular meetings with the management team provide opportunities for exchange, feedback, and collective reflection. 
• Providing access to wellbeing support
  Students have free access to the Hu-care listening platform, offering confidential support from qualified psychologists available 24/7. 

Through these commitments, Cours Florent aims to train not only skilled performers, but also responsible, engaged artists – aware of their rights and of the ethical responsibilities inherent in their practice across theatre, film, and the wider performing arts.