Memórias Ecanas com Marisa Orth

Summary

In this personal reflection, Marisa Domingos, a prominent Brazilian actress, shares her journey through the world of arts and theater, offering insight into her upbringing in São Paulo during a tumultuous political period. She describes her early passion for theater, her experiences at university, and the challenges she faced in her career. From overcoming bullying in school to balancing psychology studies with theater, Domingos explores the transformative power of arts education and the dedication required for success. Her story highlights perseverance, self-discovery, and the importance of following one’s vocational calling in the arts.

Takeaways

• 😀 Marisa Domingos, a Paulistana, was born on October 21, 1963, in São Paulo and always had a passion for theatre since childhood.
• 😀 During Brazil's dictatorship period, music and theatre played a vital role in cultural transgression, something her parents deeply supported.
• 😀 Marisa always knew she wanted to work in the arts, particularly in communications and theatre, even though she faced challenges like bullying in primary school.
• 😀 Although she initially had a talent for swimming and ballet, she eventually realized that she was too tall for ballet, which became a personal frustration.
• 😀 She briefly pursued psychology, even attending the prestigious PUC university, but quickly realized her true passion was acting.
• 😀 Marisa attended the Escola de Arte Dramática (EAD), a theater school under the University of São Paulo (USP), where she trained in various theatre disciplines such as vocal and physical techniques, makeup, and costume design.
• 😀 EAD was a unique school with limited resources, and students had to deal with financial constraints and a lack of proper facilities.
• 😀 Despite its challenges, the EAD environment allowed Marisa to connect with other aspiring actors and directors, including Gabriel Vilela, who later influenced her career.
• 😀 Marisa’s first professional acting experience was with renowned director Miroel Silveira in a historical piece, where she learned through physical exercises like ‘feeling the broots of trees.’
• 😀 One of the most valuable lessons she learned was that a successful career in acting is a combination of talent, perseverance, and the ability to handle criticism and failure.
• 😀 Marisa's successful TV career, including her breakout role in 'Rainha da Sucata' in 1990, was transformative for her, and she continues to embrace various roles, including comedic characters like Mortícia.

Q & A

What was the speaker's primary childhood interest?

The speaker's primary childhood interest was theater ('teatrinho'). She was very passionate about performing and had a strong desire to work in the arts and communications.

How did the speaker feel about the cultural environment during the Brazilian dictatorship?

The speaker mentioned that despite the political climate during the dictatorship, the cultural scene in Brazil was vibrant, with great Brazilian music and theater. She felt energized by it and was deeply influenced by it.

What was the speaker's experience with ballet and sports?

The speaker loved ballet but faced a challenge as she grew too tall for it, which led to some frustration. She also enjoyed swimming and competing but never felt as passionate about it as ballet.

How did the speaker handle bullying during her primary school years?

The speaker experienced bullying in primary school, which she attributes to skipping pre-school and entering a grade ahead of her emotional readiness. However, she believes that the bullying helped strengthen her resilience as an artist.

What was the speaker’s initial university education before pursuing theater?

The speaker initially enrolled in a psychology program at PUC (Pontifícia Universidade Católica), but after a year, she realized it wasn't her calling and eventually switched to studying theater at the EAD.

What was the role of the EAD in the speaker's education?

The EAD (Escola de Arte Dramática) was an essential part of the speaker's theater education. It offered courses in various aspects of theater, including vocal technique, physical technique, makeup, and history of costumes, among others. It was a unique and challenging environment, providing a mix of theoretical and practical knowledge.

How did the speaker describe her early experiences in theater education?

The speaker recalls that her early experiences in theater education at EAD were intense and transformative. She learned through practical exercises, such as performing in different characters, and engaging in activities like walking around the university in character. This helped her develop as an artist.

What role did the speaker's first experiences in theater play in her later career?

The speaker's early experiences, including her first play under director Moisés Silveira, were crucial in her development as an actress. They helped her gain confidence and learn the importance of immersing herself in her roles, which would later benefit her in her professional career.

How did the speaker balance her psychology studies and her theater education?

The speaker balanced her psychology studies during the day with theater classes at night. This allowed her to immerse herself in both fields, despite the challenges of a tight schedule.

What did the speaker learn about the nature of success in the arts?

The speaker learned that success in the arts is not solely dependent on talent, but also on perseverance, resilience to frustration, and the ability to withstand criticism. She also emphasized that vocational passion is crucial for a lasting career, even if one doesn't possess exceptional talent.