NITZA TENENBLAT

Nitza Tenenblat is a Brazilian theatre director invested in collaborative theatre ensemble work. Her research investigates the ethics, poetics and politics of contemporary theatre ensemble directing. Directing credits include projects realized in Brazil with ensembles Cia Teatral Zouhar and Clandestino, in the UK, Romania and more recently in the US. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Performance Studies with an emphasis on Practice as Research at the University of California at Davis as part of a Fulbright/CAPES (Brazilian Ministry of Education) scholarship (2007-2011).

Curriculum Vitae

Academic Experiences:
- PhD in Performance Studies at UC Davis (2009 – present)

- PhD FA in Theatre at Texas Tech University (2007-2008)

- MA in Theatre at Royal Holloway University of London, England. Dissertation: ‘Capoeira – a Brazilian actor-training resource tool’ 2002;

- Licentiate Degree in Theatre Arts, Dulcina de Moraes Arts College, Brasília, Brazil, 1999;

- Licenciate Degree in Physics, University of Brasília, Brazil, 1996;

- Tisch School of The Arts, New York University , NY, USA, 1994/1995, Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting: Elizabeth Perrish, CharlesWaxburg, Joanne Edelman, Donna Lee Kelly, Angela Vitale, Noel Wilson, Milton Justice e Jason Little;

- NYU Ballroom Dancing Team with, Richard e Bonnie Diaz 1994/95;

- Music School of Brasília, 1989-1990. Instrument: classical guitar

 

Teaching experiences:

2006 – Professor of the Contemporary Theatre Specialization course at the Dulcina de Moraes Arts College, Brasília, Brazil;

2006-2005  – Volunteer Director at the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Brasília, Brazil;

2005-2002 – Acting and Directing Professor at the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Brasília, Brazil;

2001-1999 – High school Drama co-ordinator and teacher at the American School of Brasília, Brazil. Directed and Produced the EAB Drama Club events as well as the following plays:
* Out of The Frying Pan, Sala Martins Penna –Nacional Theatre Claudio Santoro, 2001
* Unlucky Cinderella and the Frog Prince –ASBACE Auditorium, 2001
* The Seven Deadly Sins – Renato Russo Cultural Space, 2001
* Out of the Hat – EAB Gym, 2000.

 

Directing and acting experiences:
2008 – Translation and adaptation of IAGO, by Marcus Mota, from Portuguese to the English language.

2008 – Director of In the Garden, by Orada Lelanuja, Lab Theatre, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.

2007 – Assistant Director of A Chorus Line directed by Jonathan Marks, Allen Theatre, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.

2007 – Director, co-author and costume designer of children’s theatre forum plays (Theatre of the Oppressed technique) Um Vazio Azul and A Velha Tranqueira performed at Teatro Paulo Autran, SESC Taguatinga Norte with Monta no Vento Theatre Group, Brasília.

2007 – Director, co-author and costume designer of the children’s play Me Beija Beija-flor performed at Teatro Paulo Autran, SESC Taguatinga Norte with Monta no Vento Theatre Group, Brasília.

2006 – Director of Iago, by Marcus Mota, Clandestine Theatre Group, performed at the Cultural Center of the Bank of Brazil, Teatro Paulo Autran, Teatro SESC Garagem and Teatro Funarte Plínio Marcos, with Monta no Vento Theatre Group (formerly known as Clandestine Theatre Group), Brasília.

2005 – Director of the dramatic reading of guardAchuva, by Jonathan Andrade, 1st place in the 2ª Dramaturgy Award of Brasília, Clandestine Theatre Group.

2005 – Director and translator of 5 X David Ives, Zouhar Theatre Company, sponsored by the Cultural Center of the Bank of Brazil – Brasília. (Nominated for Best Director in II SESC Candango Theatre Festival)

2004-2003 – Director, costume designer and co-author of Paralelo 15, Zouhar Theatre Company, Caleidoscópio Theatre, Sala Plínio Marcos FUNARTE and Garagem- SESC Theatres. Caravana FUNARTE - National Foundation of the Arts - Regional Tour 2004 Award.

2004-2003 – Director and translator of academic exercise of 4.48 Psychosis by Sarah Kane, Clandestine Theatre Group. University of Brasília. (Nominated for Best Director in I SESC Candango Theatre Festival)

2002 – Director, translator and adaptation of Quincas Wateryell, final MA project, based on the A Morte e a Morte de Quincas Berro D´agua, by Jorge Amado, Studio Theatre, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, England.

2001-1999 – Director, costume designer and actress in In Natura, Zouhar Theatre Company. Toured in Pirenópolis, Brasília, Palmas e Araguaína, Belo Horizonte, Paracatu, Luziânia, and Feira de Santana. Invited by UNESCO to open the 2nd International Theatre Institute Summer Workshops in Sinaia, Romania.

1999 – Atress and costume designer in XYZ , by Paulo Duro Moraes, Goldoni Theatre, Casa D’Itália, Brasília.
              
1995 – Actress (Alice) in Alice de Lewis Carroll, Directed by Cibele Amaral, Mapa’ti Theatre , Brasília.

1995 – Actress (Nurse) in O Cego Que Gritava Luz, film directed by João Batista de Andrade. Raiz Cinematographic Productions, Brasília.

1994 – Actress in the dramatic reading of Right You Are (If You Think You Are),by Luigi Pirandello. Directed by Joelton Ricardo Neumann, Cultural Center of the Bank of Brazil, Brasília.

1993 – Actress in the radio weekly production of A Hora do Conto, directed by Aldo Belingrodt,  Radio Cultura FM, Brasília.

1992 – Actress (Avó e Cegonhoca) in A Fada Foi Para o Brejo, by Plinio Mosca and Edmilson Fagundes. Directed by Plinio Mosca, Casa do Candango, Brasília.

1992 – Actress (Ana) in Estação Zero by Andrea Valdman. Directed by Plinio Mosca, Casa do Candango, Brasília.

1990 – Actress (Stewardess) in  Aero-Air, performance accompanying the exhibition Aviões by Richard Seabra. Directed by Robson Graia, Brasília and Goiânia.

 

Participation in Workshops and Seminars:
 2006 – Theatre of the Oppressed workshop for the formation of Facilitators (Jokers), Brasília.

2003 – Theatre Theory and History with Ricardo Guilherme, Brasília.

2003 – Costume Construction, University of Brasília, Brasília.

2002 –Dramatic Reading Workshop with Fernanda Montenegro, Brasília.

2002, 2000 –Contemporary Dance with Giselle Rodrigues, Brasília.

2001 – 2nd International Theatre Institute Summer Workshop – UNESCO Chair at Sinaia, Romania.

1999 – 1st International Theatre Institute Summer Workshop – UNESCO Chair at Sinaia, Romania.

1997 –Acting for the screen with Tônio Carvalho, Brasília.

1995 –Didactic Theatre with Rose Gonçalves, Theatre Arts Department, University of Brasília.

1994, 1992 – IV & II International Dance Seminar: Acting with Mounir Maasri and Contemporary Dance with Ronald Brown, National Theatre Cláudio Santoro, Brasília.

1993 –  Bond Street Theatre of New York Workshop, National Theatre Cláudio Santoro, Brasília.

 

Theatre Scholarships, Awards and Grants:

2007 – Fulbright and CAPES (Brazilian government) Scholar since July 2007

2007 – CH Foundation Theatre Scholarship at Texas Tech University

2005 – Fundo da Arte e Cultura of Brasilia (FAC) Grant towards the production of 5 X David Ives, Brazil

2005 – Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil - Brasilia Grant towards the production of 5 X David Ives, Brazil

2004 - Caravana FUNARTE - National Foundation of the Arts – Midwest Regional Touring Award - Paralelo 15, Brazil

2003 – Funda da Arte e Cultura of Brasilia (FAC) Grant towards the production of Paralelo 15, Brazil

2002 – Embassy of Brazil in London Grant towards the production of Quincas Wateryell, England

1999 – International Theatre Institute Scholarship – UNESCO Chair to participate in the I Summer Workshop, Sinaia, Romania.

1997 – Dulcina de Moraes Arts College Scholarship for the teaching assistantship of Folclore Brasileiro, a course taught by Professor Roberto Peña, Brasilia, Brazil.

1994 – International Dance Seminar Scholarship for acting classes with Mounir Maasri, during the IV International Dance Seminar, Nacional Theatre Cláudio Santoro, Brasília.