The Experimental Theater of SESC

Art, Politics, and Resistance in the Heart of the Amazon

Abstract

T his study investigates artistic practices in Manaus, focusing on the Experimental Theater of SESC Theater (TESC), a group active from 1968 to 2016 that stood out for its innovative theatrical project and its ability to navigate different political periods, achieving national recognition. This research introduces the theme by essential—yet still scarce—readings on theatrical production in Manaus and examines plays staged by TESC up to the mid-2000s, enabling readers to understand the group’s trajectory of resistance. Grounded in cultural and theatrical studies, this research employs oral history as a central methodological tool, complemented by historical documents, performance records, and publications by the group. This approach expands the dialogue with northern Brazilian authors such as Márcio Souza, Selda Vale, and Ediney Azancoth, whose works are essential to understand the cultural and political context of TESC. This study shows how TESC used the stage as a space for resistance and expression during the years of repression under the military dictatorship and throughout the redemocratization period of Brazil, facing cultural challenges that are specific to the Amazon. By fostering a critical and pioneering perspective on local historical processes, the group established itself as a transformative force whose impact extended beyond regional borders. This research also highlights the importance of retrieving and valuing the artistic contributions of northern Brazil, which are often overlooked in national theater historiography. It thus underscores the necessity of democratizing and enriching Brazilian theater historiography by incorporating the voices and experiences of groups such as TESC. In doing so, this study addresses historiographical gaps and offers new perspectives on the role of theater as a tool for cultural resistance, contributing to the preservation of the’ theatrical memory of Manaus and the appreciation of the ’Brazilian cultural diversity.