Theatrical workshop stimulates artistic and social development of students in Manaus

Manaus (AM) – A theatrical workshop, promoted by the Artbrasil Association, trained 68 students from the Marquês de Santa Cruz State School Escola Estadual de Tempo Integral (Eeti), located in the West Zone of Manaus. Addressing the fundamentals and techniques of Puppet Theater, in two classes, participants learned about theory and practice, from creating stories to making and handling puppets.

For the artist, director and cultural producer, Ana Cláudia Motta, a member of Artbrasil who followed the activities, theater workshops as promoted by the association directly contribute to the integral development of children, young people and adults. According to the artist, theater stimulates oral, physical and written performance, in addition to the participant discovering their limits, exploring their physical and mental capacity and developing their relationships and socialization.

“Theatre is a type of activity that complements, expands and enhances much of the knowledge that these students learn at school. Theater improves coexistence, mutual respect, develops creativity, makes people reflect on the problems of their reality, of the world around us, it is an activity that enhances countless talents”,

highlighted the artist.

With the theme “The creation of stories from reality to the scene, via puppet shows”, the workshop aroused previously unknown interests in the participants. 8th year student at Eeti Marquês de Santa Cruz, Suanny Sá, described her participation as an “incredible” experience, and stated that the activity brings students closer to the universe of theater.

“I have no words to describe how cool it was. I learned how to make puppets, paint, sew clothes, handle, improvise stories, play with tone of voice, the whole process until I got to the stage was special”,

commented the student.

Student Antônio Pedro, in the 7th year, showed interest in continuing his studies in puppetry. And he highlighted the involvement of his class in the creation process.

“It was a fun experience with my colleagues. It brought new learning and new experiences to my daily life. I wish we had more times to improve our knowledge more and more”,

said the student.

For five days, under the guidance of workshops Jean Palladino and Roberto Carlos, participants worked on issues such as text creation, puppet making, manipulation techniques, as well as costumes, scenery and staging of a theatrical show.

“We had fun learning from Uncle Roberto and Uncle Jean. We were privileged to be chosen to participate. Knowing how to manipulate the doll and creating your own doll was really cool,”

commented Adriele Ribeiro, from the 7th year.

The project

Included in the “Manaus Faz Cultura 2023” program, run by the Manaus City Council, the “Animated Forms Theater Development Center” project serves the municipality’s Itinerant Culture Program. The activity was carried out in two stages, from October 16th to 20th; and from October 25th to 31st, aiming to train, in basic aspects, people to develop artistic productions using the Language of Animated Forms Theater – specifically Puppet Theater.

At Eeti Marquês de Santa Cruz, the project also had the support of professor Paulo Queiroz, who teaches Arts at the school. The teacher said that the students, from both classes, were deeply involved in the process of construction, creation, production, improvisation and exhibition of their work.

“It is visible how these students return to the classroom motivated, excited about what they are discovering, about what they are creating. Understanding and realizing how a creative process takes place within puppet theater and, more than that, realizing the possibilities that theater brings us in terms of discourse, creation, communication and the fantasy itself that is inherent to theater”,

said Paulo Queiroz.

For Ana Cláudia, the project could result in positive results, such as the creation of a puppet theater center within the school, with the support of professor Paulo, who is also an actor, director and cultural producer.

“The workshop gave them tools to explore other possibilities, to research, to experiment. This is the expectation, that a puppet theater will actually be formed at the school, with the tradition of developing art and culture”,

concluded the artist.

*With information from consultancy

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