Biography

I am an international teacher, performer and director from France.

I have performed in 150+ professional theatre shows (Improvisation, clown, mask, contemporary and classical). From 2013 to 2018 I performed in the successful long-form improv show Le Fauteuil with the company Smoking Sofa. I performed as a clown and physical actress in Requiem for 3 years (2015 to 2017). In 2016, I created and directed Le Fauteuil d’orchestre, a musical and improvised show. I taught, directed and performed improv in 15 festivals (NZ Improv Festival 2017, Improvention 2017, Nelson Fringe Festival 2018, Slovenia Kamfest, and festivals in France).

I studied acting for two years at Armel Veilhan’s theatre school in Paris. From 2015, I am mentored by the clown-acrobat Ira Seidenstein (Slava SnowShow, Cirque du soleil, International School for Acting And Creativity in Brisbane). In 2019 I become an official associate of I.S.A.A.C. In France, I am supported by the company Trance Mask France.

Unleash The Beast is my third solo show, after two written ones. After a season in Paris, July 2019, I performed Unleash the Beast at The Butterfly Club in March 2020 just before the lockdown.

 » Pauline Calmé is a trained classical actor, engineer, and musician. She is also a teacher, director, and performer in a wide variety of improvisation styles including her own unfolding ensemble and solo works. She’s creating new pathways in improvisation. About now she is en route from her home in Paris to relocate to Australia. I highly recommend her workshops, projects and performances. » – Dr. Ira Seidenstein, International School for Acting and Creativity (AU)

« … Pauline creates a unique world while co-existing alongside her partner’s worlds. … She has a clear style, she’s spontaneous, and she gives off a positive energy.» — Mark Jane , Trance Mask France (FR)

« Pauline has a fearless spirit of play and is a generous improviser. » — Patti Stiles, Impro Melbourne (AU)

« Pauline brings an openness and curiosity to the theater experience that instantly soothes people and helps coax them out of their old habits. » — Cordelia Black (NZIF 2017)

«I was lucky to spend some time talking with Pauline before the workshop and show about her philosophy, I suppose – it’s not so much fixed ideas as an approach to theatre and to life in general. I like this contemplative, experimental approach. It resonated with me in a way that seems important. I think often after some years practising improv we can get stuck with all sorts of techniques and things in our heads. I will always be interested in more workshops that take us out of our headspace and bring the whole person to the stage.» – NZIF Participant