Hétero Sigilo: a solo born from a homophobic attack opens in March

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A homophobic attack at a memorial Mass became a stage monologue: “Hétero Sigilo” opens March 6 at Teatro Laura Alvim, starring and written by Bernardo Dugin, directed by João Fonseca.

From trauma to the stage

In 2023, actor and playwright Bernardo Dugin and his boyfriend were targets of a homophobic attack during a seventh-day memorial Mass in Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro state. The incident gained national attention and led to the priest responsible being charged with qualified racism. The Rio de Janeiro Public Prosecutor’s Office also sought collective moral damages on behalf of the LGBTQIA+ community, recognizing the symbolic and social weight of the violence.

That episode became the seed for “Hétero Sigilo” (loosely translated as “Straight Secrecy”), a one-man show in which Dugin examines heteronormativity, symbolic violence, and the psychological toll of living under enforced silence. It marks his debut as a playwright.

This show is not about coming out. It’s about what we have to hide just to keep existing without being punished for it. The violence doesn’t start with a punch — it starts with the silence society forces us to keep. — Bernardo Dugin, actor and playwright

A phenomenon before opening night

Long before reaching the stage, “Hétero Sigilo” took shape as a transmedia project. During the São Paulo LGBTQIA+ Pride Parade on Avenida Paulista, the installation “Caixa do Sigilo” (The Secrecy Box) collected real stories from people living in anonymity. On social media, the profile @hetero.sigilo24 satirized everyday situations of those living under the logic of “secrecy,” accumulating nearly 5 million views and turning the project into a cultural talking point well ahead of its theatrical premiere.

Award-winning direction and original score

The production is directed by João Fonseca, one of Brazil’s most celebrated theater directors, known for hits like “Cazuza – Pro Dia Nascer Feliz, o Musical” and “Minha Mãe É Uma Peça”. Over a 25-year career spanning more than 80 productions, Fonseca has earned top honors including the Prêmio Shell, Prêmio Bibi Ferreira, and Prêmio Cesgranrio.

What draws me to “Hétero Sigilo” is that it doesn’t point fingers — it exposes a system. It’s an intimate piece, but deeply political, because it speaks to the price we pay to fit into a norm that makes us sick. — João Fonseca, director

The original score and musical direction are by Federico Puppi, whose music functions as a continuous dramaturgical layer, deepening silences, tensions, and emotional states throughout the performance.

About Bernardo Dugin

Dugin is an actor, playwright, and theater director currently leading the Grupo TACA — a theater collective with 50 years of history in Rio de Janeiro state. His screen credits include the feature films “M8” and “Deixe-me Viver”, plus acclaimed TV roles on TV Globo (“Mania de Você,” “Todas as Flores,” “Éramos Seis,” “Em Família”) and Record TV (“Jesus,” “Gênesis,” “Reis,” among others). He is also a co-founder of production company O Delirante.