P.E.D.R.A.

In this edition, three groups of youngsters from Porto, Viseu and Lisbon get the process started based on the work of invited choreographer Francisco Camacho. One of the main features of his work is the way he perceives dance, regarding it as a statement of what every single one of us is and as an act of freedom, which he sees as having more value than form or technique. Each of those work groups is locally managed by another choreographer. Teatro Municipal do Porto has hence challenged Joana Providência, who herself has a vast repertoire, to “look” at the work of her colleague, Francisco Camacho, and to “break ground” with the group of participants from Porto. The finding of this new possibility of understanding dance and of the distinct looks upon the same “content” in the work developed by the Porto group can be seen at Teatro Campo Alegre on April 12 and 13, and at Teatro Viriato on April 17 (when the groups from the three cities have a joint presentation). The project comprises three editions, and it is co-produced by Culturgest (Lisbon), Teatro Municipal do Porto and Teatro Viriato (Viseu). The first edition took place during the 2017/2018 season, based on Clara Andermatt’s repertoire.  


Francisco Camacho is a seminal choreographer in the Portuguese contemporary dance scene and an internationally acclaimed performer, having presented his work, which comprises both solo and group performances, in Europe, America, Asia and Africa since 1988. As a performer stand out collaborations with choreographers and theatre directors Meg Stuart, Alain Platel, Paula Massano, Carlota Lagido, Lúcia Sigalho, Miguel Moreira, Filipa Francisco and Tonán Quito. He studied dance, theatre, voice, creative writing and scriptwriting in Portugal and New York. He is the artistic director of EIRA, where he’s currently undertaking the long-term project “Viagem Sentimental” [Sentimental Journey] in various parts of the country, preparing a group piece for 2019 and mentoring the Study Project on Dance.

Joana Providência was born in Braga in 1965. She’s been one of the artistic directors at ACE/Teatro do Bolhão since it was established in 2002, and she has been regularly working on her creations with the company. She has been teaching movement at ACE since 1995, and at the University of Minho since 2017. Among her many creations as a choreographer stand out “Rumor” [Rumour], based on the work by Christian Boltanski, “Vestígio” [Trace], based on the work by photographer Georges Dussaud, and “Território” [Territory], based on the work by Alberto Carneiro.