III.

Organization

The Comédie-Française has historically had a state-appointed administrator. Its internal organization, however, is essentially that of Molière's company, which in turn was adopted from the organization of a 15th-century Parisian actors' guild. Young probationers join the company first as pensionnaires, or salaried members. From their ranks are chosen sociétaires, or full members. The sociétaires are shareholders who make major artistic and budget decisions, divide the profits according to certain rules, and are entitled to retire with an annual pension after 20 years of service.