Célia Dumont Malet 

France | Theater Scholar, Director & Educator

Founder & Artistic Director, Batteries d’Entrailles
Lecturer in Theater Studies, Université Paris Nanterre

Born in Lyon, Célia began her theatrical journey in Paris in 2014. As the recipient of the prestigious Zellidja Fellowship, she conducted a six-month solo research expedition to China and India, focusing on the role of facial expression in theatrical traditions. While in Beijing, she studied under the renowned avant-garde troupe Théâtre San Tuo Qi and visited both the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts and the National Theatre of China. In India, her encounter with Kathakali at the Margi Theatre in Thiruvananthapuram opened new dimensions in her understanding of the physicality of performance.

Upon returning to France, Célia resumed her advanced studies at Université Paris Nanterre and earned her Master’s degree with a thesis on the directorial work of Zhao Miao. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chinese Studies from the National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO) in Paris. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD titled “The Reception of Chinese-Language Drama in France Since the 1980s,” continuing her in-depth exploration of contemporary Chinese theater.

Since 2020, Célia has been a lecturer at Université Paris Nanterre, teaching courses in theater theory, performing arts, and the history of performance.

Beyond academia, Célia co-founded Batteries d’Entrailles in 2019, an experimental theater company based in Nanterre. Under her direction, the troupe has staged works such as Corps d’Attente (2019) and Poupées Galeuses (2024). Supported by regional theaters and emerging artist platforms, the company also serves as a venue for youth-centered cultural programming. In 2024, Célia joined the core directing team of Embrasse-moi Encore (Kiss Me Again), a theater project led by Miléna Wendt inspired by the life and persona of Michèle Morgan.

In addition to her work in theater, Célia is a long-time practitioner of Shōtōkai karate and currently serves as President of the International Karate-Do Shotokai Society (IKDS).