A workshop with Bárbara Santos
NEXT WORKSHOP 9th – 12th OCTOBER!! Registration open !!
What is the boundary between the personal and the political when our innermost thoughts have been cultivated in a patriarchal, sexist, classist and racist society? How do we unravel the voices that colonize and limit us from within, influencing and/or determining our own narratives?
The Rainbow of Desire is a general title for the set of specific theatrical techniques from the Theatre of the Oppressed, systematized by Augusto Boal, which aiming to analyze the process of internalization and crystallization of the mechanisms of oppression.
Through our feminist aesthetics we strive to show that subjectivity also has a social dimension and that the ways in which we experience emotions are acquired and/or influenced by our social interactions and social context. Bringing attention to the intersectionality of oppression and understanding its complexity is critical for the deconstruction of the aspects that intertwine in structuring and maintaining the problem and to the effectiveness of the search for alternatives.
In this workshop, we will investigate oppression considering both the subjective layers and the social dynamics involving its social actors – who cause, suffer or feed it –. To do so, our strategy is building aesthetic paths based on the methodology of the TEATRO DE LAS OPRIMIDAS (feminist aesthetics for political poetics) to develop “The Rainbow of Desire” techniques. The work process aims to demonstrate the importance of the subjective aspects for an in-depth understanding of the problem analyzed as well as ensuring the complexity of its theatrical representation.
The workshop is indicated to theatre practitioners, artists, activists, educators, psychologists, therapists, and anyone interested in exploring and addressing the complexities of oppression from a feminist perspective. It is also aimed at those working with communities or individuals affected by oppression, who is searching for creative and expressive approaches in their practice.
WHEN: October 9th – 12th 2025
- Thursday, 9th : 4 pm – 9 pm
- Friday, 10th: 4 pm – 9 pm
- Saturday, 11th: 10 am – 6 pm
- Sunday,12th :11 am – 4 pm, with a public presentation at 5PM – 7Pm
For more information or to enroll in the workshop, please send an email to qualification@kuringa.org – topic: Rainbow of desire
Bárbara Santos: A Brief Biography
And for those unfamiliar with Bárbara Santos, let’s introduce this remarkable figure:
With a theatrical journey spanning over four decades, Bárbara Santos stands as a seasoned practitioner of Theatre of the Oppressed. Collaborating closely with the legendary Augusto Boal, she has been a driving force in the field. Currently serving as the coordinator of the Center for Theatre of the Oppressed in Rio de Janeiro, Santos has dedicated her life to unraveling the transformative power of theatre in challenging oppressive systems.
Playwright, director, actress, kuringa, and feminist-anti-racist-decolonial activist, Bárbara Santos has left an indelible mark on the global theatrical landscape. Her extensive experience includes roles as the artistic director of the KURINGA theater space in Berlin, Germany, and the Madalena-Berlin group. Notably, she is the founder of the Ma-g-dalena International Network of Teatro de las Oprimidas, connecting theater groups across Latin America, Africa, and Europe.
Over her illustrious career, Bárbara Santos has delved into innovative artistic approaches, particularly in the intersection of gender, race, and class through feminist aesthetics. Her impactful work is systematized in three books, including “Teatro de las Oprimidas – feminist aesthetics for political poetics.”
In the cinematic realm, Santos has shone as both an actor and a filmmaker. Her debut film, “Ash Wednesday,” was selected for prestigious festivals such as BERLINALE (Germany), Rio Film Festival (Brazil), War on Screen (France), and Filmets Badalona (Spain).
For those seeking a profound exploration of theatre and activism, Bárbara Santos is an unparalleled guide, bringing decades of expertise
