The Molière Awards are prestigious French theater awards established in 1987 to honor outstanding achievements in live performance. Named after the famous playwright Molière, these awards recognize excellence in various categories, including acting, directing, and production. They aim to celebrate the richness of French theater and promote its cultural significance. The awards are presented annually in a ceremony that gathers prominent figures from the theater community. Nominations are made by a jury of professionals, and winners are chosen based on their artistic contributions. The Molière Awards serve as a benchmark for quality in French theater, similar to the Tony Awards in the United States.