Pedagogical Actions
Roundtables
Performing Cultures: Black, Indigenous, Popular, and Brazilian
WITH Juão Nyn and Helder Vasconcelos
MODERATED BY Renato Ihu
- March 11, Wednesday, 6–8pm
- iBT – Brazilian Institute of Theater
- The event will feature Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) interpretation
- Free | Ticket reservation via Sympla
SYNOPSIS
Much of Brazil’s popular culture has Black and Indigenous roots. Their gestures, musicalities, and visualities are often generated in rituals of everyday and festive life and, above all, in resistance to ongoing processes of domination. When elevated to the status of “national” or “Brazilian,” their original references are frequently erased. This panel addresses issues such as epistemic and scenic racism, cultural appropriation, erasure, invisibility, and the very notion of the universalization of theater in the face of diverse performing cultures.
BACKGROUND
Juão Nyn is a Potyguara multi-artist and activist in the Indigenous movement of Rio Grande do Norte. A member of Coletivo Estopô Balaio and vocalist and composer of the band Androyde Sem Par, he holds a degree in theater from UFRN and moves between Rio Grande do Norte and São Paulo. In 2020, he published TYBYRA: An Indigenous Brazilian Tragedy (Theater of Retaking), and in 2024 released his first solo album, entirely in Tupi, titled NHE’ETIMBÓ.
Helder Vasconcelos is a musician, actor, and dancer. He co-created the Pernambuco-based group Mestre Ambrósio, active from 1992 to 2003. He credits his formation to learning cavalo-marinho and maracatu rural traditions and to studying actor training with the Lume group. In his solo career, he created works such as Espiral Brinquedo Meu and Por Si Só. He founded and coordinates the group Boi Marinho, which has performed in Pernambuco’s Carnival since 2000. Since 1998, he has developed training work through workshops, courses, and immersive experiences. He also creates soundtracks and works as a consultant, coach, and director.
Renato Ihu is a researcher, percussionist, video editor, and arts educator with more than 30 years dedicated to safeguarding and promoting African-rooted cultures, particularly in Brazil’s Southeast region.