Ubirajara Fidalgo da Silva, known as Ubirajara Fidalgo (June 22, 1949
â€" July 3, 1986), was a Brazilian actor, director, theatrical
producer, playwright and founder of the black professional theater
Teatro Profissional do Negro (TEPRON. He was a social activist in
Afro-Brazilian politics ( "Movimento Negro").Ubirajara Fidalgo started
his career yet teenager in his hometown Caxias municipality in the
state of the Maranhão and died in Rio de Janeiro on 3 July 1986.At
the age of 18, Fidalgo moved to Rio de Janeiro and two years later (in
1970) founded The Black Professional Theater. Fidalgo's goal was to
insert Black artists into the performing arts field. He included Black
artists from all walks of life, including many young people from
disadvantaged neighborhoods. They worked along with professional
actors to form Fidalgo's company. The philosophy of TEPRON was to
address the "questao negra (black question)" on Brazilian stages. The
'Black Question' on the streets and in institutions, was drowned out
by the cries of "racial democracy " reinforced by the then military
dictatorship. Instead of focusing on racial differences and looking at
groups' needs separately, the military government wanted to view
Brazilian society as one where everyone was equal, irrespective of
ethnic background whether this was realistic or not.Although its first
production was William Shakespeare's 'Othello', the company went on to
perform works written by Fidalgo that conveyed political messages.
This trend started with a monologue titled 'Desfuga' that was
performed in the early 1980s. According to the original advertisement
of the show, Desfuga, "portrays the racial problem of the black
Brazilian , invoked by conflicts caused by miscegenation and
paternalistic education that distorts the real interests of the
colored man." After the performance, Fidalgo welcomed distinguished
guests from the audience like politicians, artists, researchers,
social activists and students into a discussion with him. These
post-play discussions continued and offered a space for political,
social and racial issues to be dissected within the Afro-Brazilian
community. The company's success was reflected by three main
productions, "Desfuga", "Fala pra eles Elisabete" and "Os Gazeteiros".
All three productions remained in theatre for three years after they
were performed by the company in the 1970s. Ultimately, TEPRON offered
a space for talent to be cultivated within the black community.
Fidalgo helped to advance the black identity in theatre while
educating society on issues like homophobia, racism, misogyny, and the
military dictatorship. Today, TEPRON remains significant in Brazilian
history and the advancement of Brazilian theater.
â€" July 3, 1986), was a Brazilian actor, director, theatrical
producer, playwright and founder of the black professional theater
Teatro Profissional do Negro (TEPRON. He was a social activist in
Afro-Brazilian politics ( "Movimento Negro").Ubirajara Fidalgo started
his career yet teenager in his hometown Caxias municipality in the
state of the Maranhão and died in Rio de Janeiro on 3 July 1986.At
the age of 18, Fidalgo moved to Rio de Janeiro and two years later (in
1970) founded The Black Professional Theater. Fidalgo's goal was to
insert Black artists into the performing arts field. He included Black
artists from all walks of life, including many young people from
disadvantaged neighborhoods. They worked along with professional
actors to form Fidalgo's company. The philosophy of TEPRON was to
address the "questao negra (black question)" on Brazilian stages. The
'Black Question' on the streets and in institutions, was drowned out
by the cries of "racial democracy " reinforced by the then military
dictatorship. Instead of focusing on racial differences and looking at
groups' needs separately, the military government wanted to view
Brazilian society as one where everyone was equal, irrespective of
ethnic background whether this was realistic or not.Although its first
production was William Shakespeare's 'Othello', the company went on to
perform works written by Fidalgo that conveyed political messages.
This trend started with a monologue titled 'Desfuga' that was
performed in the early 1980s. According to the original advertisement
of the show, Desfuga, "portrays the racial problem of the black
Brazilian , invoked by conflicts caused by miscegenation and
paternalistic education that distorts the real interests of the
colored man." After the performance, Fidalgo welcomed distinguished
guests from the audience like politicians, artists, researchers,
social activists and students into a discussion with him. These
post-play discussions continued and offered a space for political,
social and racial issues to be dissected within the Afro-Brazilian
community. The company's success was reflected by three main
productions, "Desfuga", "Fala pra eles Elisabete" and "Os Gazeteiros".
All three productions remained in theatre for three years after they
were performed by the company in the 1970s. Ultimately, TEPRON offered
a space for talent to be cultivated within the black community.
Fidalgo helped to advance the black identity in theatre while
educating society on issues like homophobia, racism, misogyny, and the
military dictatorship. Today, TEPRON remains significant in Brazilian
history and the advancement of Brazilian theater.
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