EU SOU CRIA: Cultura, Identidade e Resistência através das Práticas Teatrais dos Grupos GRITA e Os Crias nos Bairros Anjo da Guarda e Coroadinho

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of the theatrical practices of the GRITA and Os Crias groups in the peripheral neighborhoods of Anjo da Guarda and Coroadinho, in São Luís, Maranhão, seeking to understand how these initiatives contributed to the construction of collective identities and forms of community resistance. Situated in territories historically marked by inequalities, social stigmas, and government neglect, these artistic groups have emerged as powerful forms of cultural expression and political affirmation for the peripheral youth. The research employed the contributions of ethnoscenology as a methodological approach, articulating semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and document analysis to understand the meanings attributed to theatrical practices in the daily lives of the members and the community. The study engaged with authors such as Boal (1973), who proposed the Theatre of the Oppressed as an instrument of awareness and social transformation; Balfour (2004), who discussed community theatre as a space for engagement and belonging; Silva (2020), who provided a historical context for the trajectory of the GRITA group; and Coelho (2024), who analyzed the challenges faced by Os Crias. The results highlighted that, despite the significant contributions of these experiences to strengthening community bonds and valuing the cultural heritage of the periphery, the absence of public policies and the persistence of stigmatizing discourses still limited their recognition and expansion. Finally, the study argued for the urgency of inclusive cultural policies that recognize and strengthen artistic productions originating from urban margins.