This collection of essays examines the creation and development of communities of actors, directors, designers and playwrights in Paris over the past 30 years. It shows how the willingness of the city to welcome international influences, even appointing foreigners to the most influential theatre positions, has enriched its creative life. This examination reveals that many of the most important trends and new developments in the art of theatre have been the direct result of that creative combination of influences from all over the world.