The Manufacture welcomed its first budding actors to Lausanne in September 2003, through the doors of the former precious-stone cutting factory after which it is named.

Founded by Switzerland’s French-speaking cantons and the francophone part of the canton of Berne, the Manufacture joined the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO) in 2006. It then developed the missions of a higher education establishment: degrees, continuing education, applied research and service provision. Since 2009, it has offered Bachelor and Master degrees recognised at a European level.

In 2011 the State of Vaud also entrusted to the Manufacture vocational training for the new Federal Certificate of Capacity (CFC) in technical professions in the performing arts, overseen by the professional association ARTOS.

Following on from the Bachelor degree in drama focused on actor training, in September 2012 the Manufacture launched a Master in Drama with the emphasis on stage direction, in conjunction with the Master-Campus-Theatre network which brings together Swiss drama schools in Berne, Zurich, Lausanne and Verscio. In 2019, a new orientation Scenography completes the Master.

In September 2014, a Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Dance was inaugurated. The first of its kind in Switzerland, it is run in collaboration with Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) and in partnership with P.A.R.T.S in Brussels and the University of Berne.

The Manufacture is therefore the only university in French-speaking Europe to offer degree courses in dance and theatre on a single site.

The Manufacture plans in the future to extend its reach to choreography, dramaturgy and theatre education, thus becoming a true francophone centre for the performing arts and professions.

The Manufacture - University of Performing Arts of Western Switzerland is incorporated as a foundation under private law.

President

Martine Brunschwig Graf
Ancienne Conseillère d’Etat et ancienne Conseillère nationale - Genève, Présidente du Conseil d’orientation stratégique de la HES-SO Genève

Vice-president

Philippe Trinchan
Chef du service de la culture, Canton de Fribourg, Président de la CDAC 

Members

Lionel Baier, réalisateur, membre de Bande à Part Films, responsable du département cinéma de l’ECAL (Membre du Bureau)

André Klopmann, Directeur général de l’Office cantonal de la culture et du sport de l’État de Genève

Thierry Luisier, Secrétaire général de la Fédération romande des arts de la scène (FRAS)

Olivier Moeschler, Sociologue, chercheur, Université de Lausanne

Chantal Ostorero, Directrice générale de l’enseignement supérieur du Canton de Vaud 

Anne Papilloud, Secrétaire syndicale du Syndicat Suisse romand du spectacle

Luciana Vaccaro, Rectrice de la HES-SO

Hors-conseil

Alice Durgnat-Levi, secrétaire du conseil 

Direction

Frédéric Plazy
Directeur

Sarah Neumann
Secrétaire générale 
+41 21 557 41 60

Laurence Pidoux
Secrétaire de direction
+41 21 557 41 61

HES Missions

Bachelor Théâtre

Frédéric Plazy
Responsable du Bachelor Théâtre
+41 21 557 41 60

Silvia Guerreiro
Coordinatrice du Bachelor Théâtre
+41 21 557 41 71

Master Théâtre

Robert Cantarella
Responsable du Master Théâtre
+41 21 557 41 70

Jonas Beausire
Coordinateur du Master Théâtre
+41 21 557 41 70

Sylvie Kleiber
Professeure référente orientation scénographie

Bachelor en Contemporary Dance

Thomas Hauert
Responsable artistique du Bachelor en Contemporary Dance

Gabriel Schenker
Responsable pédagogique du Bachelor en Contemporary Dance

Richard Afonso
Coordinateur du Bachelor en Contemporary Dance
+41 21 557 41 72

Recherche

Yvane Chapuis
Responsable de la Recherche
+41 21 557 41 78

Elodie Brunner
Collaboratrice Recherche
+41 21 557 41 79

Formation continue et prestations de service

Anne-Pascale Mittaz
Responsable de la formation continue et des prestations de service

Valentine Lugrin
Collaboratrice à la formation continue et aux prestations de service
+41 21 557 41 74

CFC Techniscéniste

Claude Parrat
Responsable du CFC Techniscéniste
+41 21 557 41 80

Nathalie Berseth
Secrétaire du CFC Techniscéniste
+41 21 557 41 81

Communication & partenariats

Marion Grossiord
Responsable communication et partenariats

Elodie Blomet
Assistante communication et partenariats

Administration

Sonia Spinello
Comptable
+41 21 557 41 65

Céline Matthey
Assistante comptable
+41 21 557 41 60

Samuel Bezençon
Collaborateur administratif RH
+4121 557 41 66

Laura Rehm
Coordinatrice aux affaires académiques et au développement qualité
+41 21 557 41 99

Christophe Jaquet
Bibliothécaire
+41 21 557 41 69

Technique

Nicolas Berseth
Directeur technique
+41 21 557 41 64

Ian Lecoultre
Technicien
+41 21 557 41 75

Robin Dupuis
Technicien
+41 21 557 41 76

Robin Friderici
Informaticien 
+41 21 557 41 83

Kaled Mohamed Ali
Intendant 
+41 21 557 41 77

Sélima Dir. Melaizi
Apprentie techniscéniste

Ludovic Fracheboud
Apprenti techniscéniste
+41 21 557 41 77

Leutrim Dacaj
Costumier

Le Conseil représentatif de La Manufacture est composé comme suit :

Paola Renout-Lefever, Zacharie Jourdain

- qui représentent les étudiant·es

Laurence Pidoux

- qui représente le personnel administratif et technique

Francine Acolas

- qui représentent le personnel d’enseignement et de recherche 

Agathe Lecomte

- qui représente le corps intermédiaire

Le secrétariat en est assuré par Alice Durgnat-Lévi, également secrétaire du Conseil de fondation de La Manufacture.

The Manufacture offers a magnificent working environment within the former industrial complex that was previously the Golay-Buchel factory, rue du Grand-Pré 3-5, Lausanne.

The school, originally installed on two floors at number 5, has gradually expanded in the course of its development and, since September 2015 with the opening up of new premises at number 3, benefits from a floor space of 4,416 square metres on which to deploy its different activities.

At present the school offers:

• A 228 m² auditorium with 110 tiered seats
• A 132 m² performance hall with Harlequin dance floor and 50 tiered seats
• A research laboratory
• A library open to the public
• 4 rehearsal rooms for dancers with Harlequin dance floor
• 5 rehearsal rooms for actors and producers
• 4 classrooms and meeting rooms
• A cafeteria for students
• A reception area for the public
• A technical and joinery workshop
• A wardrobe room