Negritude em cena: Abdias do Nascimento e o teatro experimental do negro (TEN) 1944-1961

Abstract

This study focuses on the Teatro Experimental do Negro (TEN) or Black Experimental Theater an artistic and political movement founded by Abdias do Nascimento in 1944 that remained active until 1961. TEN represented a significant initiative to confront structural racism in Brazil and to champion Black identity on stage, fostering the inclusion of artists in a landscape historically defined by exclusion and the perpetuation of stereotypes. The research seeks to address a central question: how did TEN contribute to the inclusion of Black artists in Brazilian theater and to the deconstruction of stereotypes historically associated with Black people? To this end, it analyzes the movement's strategies of resistance, its impact on cultural representation, and its relevance in building a more diverse and inclusive theatrical scene. The study is justified by the need to reclaim and honor the legacy of resistance established by TEN and its members, highlighting their contributions to both the history of Brazilian theater and the struggle against the marginalization of the Black population. By revisiting these experiences, the work strengthens the memory and presence of Black people in the performing arts. The study employs a qualitative methodology based on the analysis and critical examination of historical sources—specifically newspapers, magazines, and records from the 1940s through the 1970s, as well as texts by Abdias do Nascimento, academic studies, and testimonies from TEN participants. This critical reading of the sources provides insight not only into the obstacles faced but also into the paths forged to assert Black identity and aesthetics within Brazilian theater.