Jean-Michel Distexhe

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Jean-Michel Distexhe uses puppetry as a quirky, ultra-emotional artistic medium. A passionate teacher, he gives puppet training and introductory courses in object theatre to professional actors and students at the CRB. On a more occasional basis, he works at the ERG (animation section) and at ARTS2 . He refines the method of transmitting this 'instrument' by anchoring his research in theatricality and the intimate relationship between the actor and the puppet, as well as in new narrative and aesthetic forms.

Born in 1978, Jean-Michel Distexhe is a puppeteer, actor, musician and author. A graduate of the CRB in 2001, he co-created the artistic company Les Terribles Enfants, a breeding ground for obsessive musical, theatrical and poetic creations (fanzines, festivals, etc.) It survived 10 years.

Between 2000 and 2014, he played a number of concerts (La Femme à 2 Têtes, Z, Perrine et Jeanmi, Carl et les Hommes Boites), and won several awards (Musique à la Française, Biennale de la Chanson française, Les Francofolies), releasing 4 albums.

In 2012, he founded Cie Panoptikum Puppets & Theatre: Hamlet Froid, The King-Devine où je te dévore (based on the life of Leopold II), Ainsi Parla Münchhausen, G D O G D, Salza, Blauwkus, Mr Fragile.

Since 2002, he has coordinated the Théâtre du Ratinet (a puppet theatre).

In 2017, he collaborated with visual artist Lionel Estève on "Une Nuit sans sommeil", a performance that played in Hong Kong, Paris, Brussels and Lille.

Since 2018, he has been running theatre and writing workshops in FWB prisons.

He frequently collaborates with Théâtre de la Chute and Cie Entre Chiens et Loups.

In 2022-23, he created Broos/Mr Fragile for Cie Speelman/Panoptikum in Antwerp and directed Blauwkus and Ma Grand mère est une aventurière (Racagnac Productions).

He is a director and founding member of M Collectif.