Teatro de Máscara no Maranhão: Um estudo da Máscara teatral dos espetáculos “O processo das Formigas”, “Contos que o Tempo Conta” nas produções da COTEATRO-MA.

Abstract

This work investigates the presence and use of theatrical masks in the productions of the COTEATRO group in São Luís, Maranhão. The study focuses on the analysis of the shows "The Process of the Ants" and "Tales that Time Tells," establishing a dialogue between the scenic mask and the universe of popular Maranhão folklore. The research aims to verify the typologies and aesthetic functions of the masks used, understanding how these objects operate in the dramaturgical construction of the scene and in the director's language. Methodologically, the work adopts an exploratory qualitative approach, based on bibliographic research, document analysis, and ex-post-facto research, complemented by field investigation. The investigation proposes the cataloging and registration of the masks, analyzing the relationship between the actor/performer and the masked performance. The results point to an intersection between the tradition of puppet theater and local cultural matrices, consolidating the mask as a central element of the visual and dramaturgical identity of the works analyzed.