Antoine Vitez

Vocation

French theater producer and actor; the founder of the experimental Theatre des Quartier d’Ivry in 1972. Vitez appeared in supporting roles in "My Night at Maud’s," 1969 and "The Green Room," 1978. His parents, Paul and Madeleine, ran a small photography studio from their home. Antoine visited the theatre a number of times during his childhood, but initially seemed destined to pursue a different career. In 1946, he began taking Russian courses, earning his baccalaureate in June 1948. He also studied at the School of Eastern Languages. In 1949, he met Clement Harari, director of the independent Theatre, and was offered a small role in "They Await Lefty." He did his military duty and was released in January 1955. In the mid-1960s, he began directing, taught acting, and served as the administrator for several different troupes, including the Paris Conservatoire. He was named director of the national Theatre of Chaillot on 1 July 1981, and then in 1988, he took over as general administrator of the esteemed Comedie-Francaise. Vitez was instrumental in the modernization of the company’s repertoire. On 30 April 1952, he married Agnes Van Molder. The years of 1959-61 were difficult ones, fraught with financial worries and thoughts of giving up his work in the theatre. During 1960, Vitez took his first trip out of the country, and on 28 January 1961, his father died of pulmonary emphysema. Vitez died suddenly on 30 April 1990, Paris. Link to Wikipedia biography