The twentieth edition of the Amazon Theater Festival (FTA) offers completely free programming at various locations in Manaus, running until October 11. The event brings together productions from both Amazonas and other Brazilian states, in addition to including showcases, workshops, debates, and other events focused on the theatrical universe.
The shows and activities will take place in important cultural spaces in the capital, such as the Amazonas Theater, Teatro da Instalação, Teatro Gebes Medeiros, and Largo de São Sebastião.
The festival began on Sunday the 27th with a presentation of the Confluências project at Casa Teatro Taua-Caá, located in the Santa Etelvina neighborhood. On Monday the 28th, Largo de São Sebastião hosted the screening of “O Sarau do Feupuudo,” produced by Feupuudo Produções, from Amazonas.
The programming covers diverse languages
This 20th edition is structured around specific showcases, including Ednelza Sahdo, Chico Cardoso, Jurupari Infâncias, and Jurupari Adulto. Daniely Peinado, president of the Federation of Theater of Amazonas (Fetam), explained that the organization sought to cover multiple themes, formats, aesthetics, and territories.
She emphasized that the planning considered the diversity of theaters, encompassing the themes, formats, poetics, and aesthetics of the shows and training activities, always observing technical quality and possible connections between Amazonian theater production and visiting artists, producers, and programmers.
A highlight of this edition is the expansion of the former Vivências Culturais, which are now part of the Confluências project. This initiative aims to increase support for collectives, artists, and projects that drive theater in Manaus, while also promoting interaction with theater creators from other cities in Amazonas.
Among the scheduled activities is a collaboration between Casa Teatro Taua Caá and Grupo Faz de Conta, which presented the show “Quem são elas.” There will also be an open rehearsal and a workshop on the “Terra de Sal” process, led by Grupo Fome. Furthermore, there will be a tribute to Koia Refkalefsky, featuring Cia O Pulo do Sapo and the presentation of “História para Boi Dormir.” Other events include the 6th Skit Meeting of the Nelson Neto Municipal Center for Art Education and the Lambe-Lambe Theater Showcase.
Performances at the Amazonas Theater
A highlight of the programming is the commemorative ceremony for the 20 editions of the Amazon Theater Festival, scheduled for Friday the 2nd at 6:30 PM at the Amazonas Theater. Following this, at 7 PM, the Ednelza Sahdo Showcase will feature “Meu Corpo Está Aqui,” produced by Fábrica de Eventos Produções Artísticas, from Rio de Janeiro.
The Amazonas Theater will continue to host performances in the following days. On Saturday the 3rd at 10 AM, “A Grande Viagem” from Espaço Cultural Infante, Amazonas, will be shown. In the evening, at 7 PM, the Jurupari Adulto Showcase will feature “Cabaret Luna Aberta,” from Casa Barravento.
On Sunday the 4th at 7 PM, the stage will belong to “A Ilha Profana do Cantagalo,” presented by Grupo Jurubebas de Teatro. Among the other attractions scheduled for the following days are “O Sonho de Savana,” “Tum Pá, Baú de Contos e Canções,” “Carta aos Meus Ossos: Um Manifesto de Vida,” “Aaarrg! Piratas!”, “A Mulher que Desaprendeu a Dançar,” “Filha do Encontro das Águas,” “Erenilda: Puta de Garimpo com Dente de Ouro,” and “Ratifico!”
Largo de São Sebastião also hosts shows
Largo de São Sebastião is part of the festival circuit. This Wednesday the 30th at 5 PM, the location will host the Lambe-Lambe Theater Showcase. Later, on October 7th at 5 PM, “Rudmentar” from Alumiar Produções, Amazonas, will be presented.
The festival will also bring performances to other points in the city. At Teatro da Instalação, for example, “Velocidade” from Minas Gerais; “Lampejo” from Ceará; “O Homem e as Caixas” from Mato Grosso; and “Bicho que Vira Gente, Gente que Vira Bicho” from Maranhão will be available.
Workshops and debates
In addition to the shows, the 20th edition of the FTA offers training activities and experience exchange among theater professionals. The schedule includes workshops such as “Introduction to Theater Production,” taught by Mayara Cabral, and “Body-artist and the creation of anti-capitalist and anti-neoliberal performative scores,” with Francisco Rider.
Debates about pieces from the Jurupari Adulto and Jurupari Infâncias showcases are also planned, as well as meetings with curators and festival programmers. The event will also promote the launch of the book “Crítica Colagem: Álbum de Pregnâncias” and the podcast “How to live from theater?”, produced by Grupo Atuar-Produzir with Heloisa Marina.
For Daniely Peinado, the festival also aims to bring new spectators closer to theater. She added that many people have their first contact with theater through the FTA at the Amazonas Theater, and the desire is to retain these spectators and captivate new audiences, transforming the experience of those who follow the programming.
Closing
The 20th Amazon Theater Festival culminates on Sunday the 11th at the Amazonas Theater. At 7 PM, “Antígona Travesti” by Elencas Coletivas + Kuma will be shown. The closing ceremony is scheduled for 8:10 PM, followed by the awards for the 20th edition at 8:40 PM. It is important to note that all programming of the Amazon Theater Festival has free admission.