Jean Vilar

Biography

Jean Vilar was a French actor and theatre director, known for his work in theatre, particularly in his founding of the Festival d'Avignon and the Théâtre National Populaire, which aimed to make theatre accessible to a wide audience. He trained under Charles Dullin and later became a prominent figure in decentralizing theatre, creating institutions that brought the performing arts to the masses. Vilar's legacy continues through the Maison Jean-Vilar, opened in his honor in 1979.