MITbr - PLATAFORMA BRASIL
Childbirth Cellblock
ORIGINAL TITLE: Parto Pavilhão
ARTIST: Aysha Nascimento, Jhonny Salaberg e Naruna Costa
60 min | Age Rating: 14+
19 and 20/3, Wednesday and Thursday, 8pm
PLACE: Itaú Cultural
Sessions with Libras [Brazilian Sign Language]
SYNOPSIS
This monologue explores the incarceration of Black women and mothers in Brazil from the perspective of Rose, a former nursing assistant and inmate in a temporary penitentiary for mothers. She spends her days assisting with childbirth and childcare services until, during a Brazilian national soccer team match, she sees an opportunity to plan an escape. Blending elements of magical realism, the piece—starring Aysha Nascimento, directed by Naruna Costa, and written by Jhonny Salaberg—is loosely inspired by the real-life escape of a group of female prisoners, carrying their babies, from the Butantã Penitentiary Progression Center in 2009.
Trigger warning: Contains strobe lighting in one scene.
BACKGROUND
Aysha Nascimento is an actress, dancer, and theater director, trained at the Escola Livre de Teatro (ELT) in Santo André and at Universidade Anhembi Morumbi. She is a co-founder of Cia. dos Inventivos and Coletivo Negro.
Jhonny Salaberg is an actor and playwright, trained at the Escola Livre de Teatro (ELT) in Santo André. He has published plays through Cobogó publishing house and is a co-founder of the theater group O Bonde.
Naruna Costa is an actress, singer, songwriter, and theater director. She graduated from the Escola de Arte Dramática (EAD) and is a co-founder of Grupo Clariô de Teatro and the music group Clarianas.
CRITICAL RECEPTION
“Parto Pavilhão, a play written by a Black author, directed by a Black stage director, and performed by a Black actress, engages with contemporary achievements—and rightfully so. No one should remain indifferent. The issue is not just racial; it reflects much of Brazilian society and politics, marked by both progress and setbacks.” Dirceu Alves Jr., InfoTeatro
“The performance is masterfully narrated by Aysha Nascimento. She makes the most of the rapid transitions provided by the narrative. (…) In this role (these roles), she delivers something so powerful that it feels almost impossible to imagine another actress bringing the same life to it. It’s an extraordinary performance.” Kil Abreu, Cena Aberta
CREDITS
Concept & Playwright: Jhonny Salaberg
Director: Naruna Costa
Performer: Aysha Nascimento
On-stage Musician: Reblack
Musical Direction & Compositions: Giovani Di Ganzá
Body Training & Choreography: Malu Avelar
Set & Costume Design: Ouroboros Produções Artísticas – Carolina Gracindo, Thais Dias, and Iolanda Costa
Lighting Design & Operation: Gabriele Souza
Sound Design & Operation: Tomé de Souza
Visual Identity: Sato do Brasil
Photography: Edu Luz and Noelia Nájera
Production: Washington Gabriel & Corpo Rastreado
