Aparecida play addresses violence against women in Brazil

The solo theatrical performance ‘Aparecida’ is being presented at Fabulosa Arte Colab in Piedade, Jaboatão dos Guararapes. Performed by actress Gheuza and directed by Eric Valença, the production serves as a ‘performance-protest’ addressing the rising rates of feminicide in Brazil.

The play is based on research conducted using records from Women's Police Stations and shelter units. Gheuza portrays a police investigator who reconstructs the stories of survivors, guiding the audience through the various stages of abuse and the subsequent investigative processes. The narrative incorporates a polyphonic approach, blending the character's voice with the real-life accounts of multiple women and the actress's own perspective as a Black woman.

The production also explores cultural and religious symbolism, drawing parallels between the character and the figure of Nossa Senhora Aparecida and the Umbanda representation of Oxum. The performance is part of the ‘Monólogos: Cinco Cenas Femininas’ project and includes community engagement activities such as theater workshops for women and sessions for public school students.