Play 'EU-ANA' Adapts Conceição Evaristo's Story, Featuring Samba and Black Women's Narratives
The theatrical production "EU-ANA," by Coletivo Gozo-Pranto, will be presented in July at Sesc units in Teresópolis and Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil. This piece is a free adaptation of Conceição Evaristo's short story "Ana Davenga," featured in her book "Olhos D’Água." The play aims to offer a scenic experience rich in samba, musicality, and the narratives of Black women. Four Black actresses portray the journey of Ana, a Black woman living in a favela whose life takes a turn after falling in love with Davenga, the leader of a local gang. The performance also integrates the actresses' personal memories, dreams, and desires, drawing inspiration from Evaristo's concept of "escrevivência" (writing-living).
The theatrical adaptation "EU-ANA" leverages samba and performance to explore the resilience of Black women against systemic marginalization, as articulated by director Cátia Costa. By reframing daily tragedies through the joy and sorrow of samba, the production seeks to subvert predetermined narratives of death and marginality without romanticizing hardship. This approach aligns with the "escrevivência" philosophy, emphasizing lived experience. The play's engagement with themes of love, tragedy, and the contradictions within the Black female experience, within a 55-minute runtime and a 14+ age rating, offers a platform for cultural commentary. The production's foundation in a university theater festival award and its roots in prior research suggest a commitment to artistic and social exploration within the Brazilian cultural landscape.
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