Stéphane Phimmasone – From martial arts to performing arts

In 2020, as the world came to a halt, Stéphane Phimmasone changed direction. His intense training in Krav Maga and Muay Thai was suddenly put on hold — and he took the opportunity to explore a long-standing dream: stepping onto the stage. What began as an experiment quickly became a revelation.

Since his first comedic sketches in a student performance, Stéphane has embraced theatre with an eagerness to learn and a deep love for the craft. Whether in contemporary comedies, original creations or more intimate productions, he continues to explore the stage as a space where voice, body and emotion come together with honesty and intention.

The thrill of improvisation

Always curious, Stéphane also discovered theatrical improvisation — and found in it a new and essential creative playground. On stage, improvisation offers him risk, immediacy, and the freedom to reinvent himself with every performance. Since then, he has appeared in over twenty shows, both in Thailand and internationally in cities like Singapore and Hanoi.

Discipline, play, and presence

Stéphane takes theatre seriously — with care, generosity, and a grounded enthusiasm. What drives him is the learning process, the connection with audiences, and those rare, electric moments when anything feels possible on stage. In September 2025, he will appear in Théâtre sans animaux by Jean-Michel Ribes, directed by Agnès Seelinger, in Bangkok. Role after role, stage after stage, he continues to carve his own path.

A defining encounter with Agnès Seelinger

Stéphane first discovered the work of Agnès Seelinger in February 2025, when he attended her performance of A Yowl at Mr. Sloop in Bangkok. He was struck by the virtuosity of her solo performance, shifting effortlessly between more than a dozen characters. Soon after, he joined one of her workshops — a new chapter in his artistic growth. Today, he has the privilege of working under her direction in Théâtre sans animaux.

He describes Agnès as a precise, generous, and passionate director. Her feedback is thoughtful and kind, her artistic eye sharp and sincere. For Stéphane, working with her is a rare opportunity to learn from a professional whose vision and commitment elevate every rehearsal.

📝 Read Stéphane’s full and personal testimony below.

Stéphane Phimmasone is an actor, improviser, and passionate stage performer. When the pandemic hit in 2020, his daily routine was turned upside down. Teaching Krav Maga and training in Muay Thai had taken up most of his time — but with these activities on pause, he seized the chance to pursue a long-dormant ambition: taking a theatre class.

In October 2020, he took the leap. It was an instant revelation. Very quickly, he discovered a deep passion for acting and for the stage.

His first time performing was in December 2021 during an end-of-year student showcase titled La fête des voisins. He performed two sketches: The Actors Art by Rowan Atkinson (a mime piece), and Le Cours d’anglais, adapted from Les Malheurs de Rudy by Rudy Milstein (La Troupe à Palmade). This first experience left a lasting impression — and led directly to his first theatre role: Dr Molière (March 2022), an original creation by Yamine Boudemagh.

From there, things moved quickly. Stéphane continued to develop his skills through new productions, including Thé à la menthe ou t’es citron (November 2022), Garde à vue (January 2023), Jeu, set et match, an adaptation of La Vérité by Florian Zeller (February 2023), and Le manuscrit trouvé par un sale gosse, adapted from Le Porteur d’histoire by Alexis Michalik (June 2023). He is currently rehearsing his sixth play: Théâtre sans animaux by Jean-Michel Ribes, directed by Agnès Seelinger. The show will be performed in Bangkok on 25, 26 and 27 September 2025.

In parallel, Stéphane discovered improvisational theatre in November 2021 with the troupe Improkhap — and it was love at first scene. In May 2022, he performed his first improv show at the Alliance Française in Bangkok, and hasn’t stopped since. He has since taken part in over twenty shows, exploring diverse formats and performing internationally in Singapore and Hanoi.

For Stéphane, the stage is a space for exploration, challenge, and human connection. What excites him is the pleasure of playing, the presence of the audience, and the creativity that comes from inhabiting characters and exploring emotion.

In just a few years, Stéphane has built a rich and multifaceted journey through theatre and improvisation. Fueled by a relentless curiosity, he approaches every project with the same energy: to create, to share, and to live unforgettable moments with his fellow performers and audiences alike.

Follow his work
Instagram: @impro.inferno
Facebook: @impro.inferno
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