When the Naked Body Speaks: Brazilian Theater in the Search of National Identity

The naked body is a complex phenomenon, combining variety of functions. Nudity can be symbols threat/insecurity, aggression/victim, freedom/slavery. Teatro Oficina, located in the São Paulo suburbs, offers us unique example nudity for construction national identity. Based on Brazilian poet Oswald de Andrade's "Anthropophagic Manifesto," theatre founders made and anthropophagy their theatrical credo. Formed 1958 theater has taken leading place cultural life Brazil. Despite censorship during military dictatorship, Oficina consistently defended right freedom expression.
 Drawing attention to first descriptions natives by Portuguese, Andrade declared importance two main from these characteristics: nudity. understood through idea Brazilians capacity devour European achievements. Without rejecting Western theater, head Jose Celso audience new corporeality concept. In this regard, not only possible actors, but also willingness actors spectators break fragile edge customary. there no conventional stage, generally accepted dialogues with audience, which become part action, undressed or conversely dressed costumes.
 Oficina’s phenomenon lies ability construct Brazil, based artificial traditions culture: carnivalesque atmosphere, openness, hybridity.