Last night I went to the opening night of a play called “The Inspector General” at Nós do Morro, a community theater company located in Favela Vidigal overlooking Ipanema beach.
Nós do Morro was conceptualized in 1986 as a cultural movement which strove to harvest the artistic talent of young people in Vidigal. The idea was to produce art by and for the residents of the community. Earning a sponsorship from Petrobras in 2001, a new space with the capacity for 80 seats as well as a Cultural Center was built in the Almirante Tamandaré Municipal School located at the top of Vidigal. Originally, the company was exclusively for favela residents, opening its doors to the wider public in 2004. 
As the show was about to begin, the audience took to the seats scattered around the periphery of the room. We were each given a piece of cardboard to use as fans when the room got too smoky or too hot. The lights dimmed, the music started, and I was blown away!
At the end of the show, the director was asked to give a speech. He said, “See, you don’t need a lot of money to put on a show; you just need creative people.” And that is exactly what he had. The actors were extremely well rehearsed, full of energy, and had such amazing stage presence. Later, when talking with the cast, I learned that six actors were involved in making the costumes; there weren’t many props. But everyone in the company was so professional and having a great time. The audience too was filled with laughter.
Today, Nós do Morro is world renowned and has achieved significant public recognition. The company has been awarded several prizes from Shell, Coca-Cola, the City Government of Rio de Janeiro, the United Nations (an Honorable Mention), and the Municipal Secretary of Social Assistance of Rio. Their recognition is well deserved and many of their actors go on to significant roles in theater, on TV, and in films.
I, for one, am still reeling. Bravo!
Latest posts by Acoirac
- Sex and Violence Sells: But Please, No Gawking Allowed! - May 10th, 2010
- World Urban Forum: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - March 25th, 2010
- It All Started with Our Apple IIGS... - February 23rd, 2010
- Removal is a Social Crime! - February 18th, 2010
- Vacation, All I Ever Wanted - February 1st, 2010
- My City of Ruins - January 25th, 2010
- You Down with UPP (Yeah you know me) - January 8th, 2010
- Day in the Life: MENGO! MENGO! MENGO, PORRA! ! - December 29th, 2009
- Rio Secures Giuliani for Security - December 17th, 2009
- It's all About the Benjamins, Baby... - December 10th, 2009
