Dirce Thomaz honors Carolina Maria de Jesus in free play

Dirce Thomaz celebrates 25 years of Invasores Theatre Company with “Eu e Ela: A Visit to Carolina Maria de Jesus,” on free tour across São Paulo. Actress, director and playwright Dirce Thomaz presents new free performances of “Eu e Ela: A Visit to Carolina Maria de Jesus”, part of the 25th anniversary celebration of the Invasores Experimental Black Theatre Company. The play travels through cultural and educational venues in São Paulo, bringing Carolina’s legacy to broader audiences.

A dialogue between generations of resistance

Inspired by the book Child of the Dark (*Quarto de Despejo*) and the short film The Paper and the Sea, the play creates a dialogue between two Black women from different eras. Across 13 scenes, Thomaz explores memory, inequality and dignity, reaffirming theatre as a space of resistance and reflection.

“Carolina was an extremely free woman. She had three children, was never married, and even worked as a teacher. Yet, because she lived in a favela, she was reduced to being ‘the slum writer.’ Why was that a problem only for her?” asks Dirce.

The tour also marks eight years since the play’s premiere and includes side events such as the MAFUÁ – Sarau das Negras Velhas, on March 21 at 3 PM, at Aparelha Luiza. The project reaffirms the company’s commitment to Black thought, historical memory and social dialogue through art. Service Eu e Ela: A Visit to Carolina Maria de Jesus Duration: 70 minutes | Age rating: 10+ | Admission: Free March 10–11 – 7:30 PM – Centro Cultural Olido (Sala Paissandu), Av. São João, 473, Downtown – Tickets 1h before. March 18 – 10 AM – Regional Education Directorate Butantã, R. Padre Eugênio Lopes, 361, Vila Progredior. March 19 – 2 PM – EMEF Plácido de Castro, R. Antônio Mesquita Pereira, 78, Capela do Socorro. March 21 – 3 PM – MAFUÁ – Sarau das Negras Velhas – Aparelha Luiza, R. Apa, 78, Campos Elíseos. Photo: Paulo Pereira