Denis Maillefer appointed artistic director of the Théâtre du Jura

Denis Maillefer, aged 59, will succeed Robert Sandoz at the head of the Théâtre du Jura from mid-January as artistic director. The Vaudois director recently co-directed two theaters, including the Comédie de Genève.

Denis Maillefer, with the benefit of the dual perspective of director and manager, “is the most qualified personality to continue the momentum initiated by Robert Sandoz”, indicated Tuesday the Foundation Board of the Théâtre du Jura. The Vaudois is the most “capable of strengthening (…) the programming of shows and cultural mediation, particularly with schools and children”.

“After having co-directed two French-speaking institutions, the Comédie de Genève and the Théâtre Les Halles in Sierre (VS), I am delighted today to be able to take the reins of the Théâtre du Jura. The issues are certainly different in Sierre, Geneva or Delémont, but the artists, the teams and the public have the same requirements, the same dreams, the same emotions,” declared Denis Maillefer, quoted in the press release.

For the future new director, “it’s already a nice story, this Théâtre du Jura. I would like to continue it. And that this theater brings people together. That this theater resembles me, theirs.”

More than 40 stagings

Denis Maillefer benefited from literary training, supplemented by theater and opera assistantships with, in particular, Patrice Chéreau, Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier. He has directed more than 40 theater and opera productions. Teaching in various schools in Switzerland and abroad, the Vaudois was appointed co-director of the Théâtre des Halles in Sierre in 2011, before co-directing the Comédie de Genève from 2017 to 2023 with Natacha Koutchoumov.

The Théâtre du Jura, the first professional structure dedicated to the performing arts in the canton, was inaugurated in October 2021. The result of a public-private partnership, it required an investment of 24 million francs. The largest room in the theater, called “La Grande”, has a 433-seat tier and has up to 800 standing places when it is retracted.

Neuchâtel resident Robert Sandoz announced in April that he would replace Robert Bouvier as director of the Théâtre du Passage in Neuchâtel from the beginning of 2025. Initially, the Théâtre du Jura had named Dorian Rossel as his successor.

However, the Geneva director decided to give up this position due to a campaign of personal attacks against him.

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