Portuguese Alum now Fulbright fellow in Brazil

I am currently finishing up a year as a Fulbright fellow in Campinas, Brazil. I received an Arts Research grant to study “Experimental Theater Techniques for Second-Language Artistic Production,” which has translated into lots of clowning in cities all over Brazil. I’ve studied with clowns Ricardo Puccetti, Karla Concá, Tiche Vianna and Esio Magalhães and participated in clown performances in Campinas, Rio de Janeiro and Samambaia.

While in Brazil, I’ve also gotten to publish articles in The Christian Science Monitor and Hyperallergic as a freelance journalist. The first focuses on a new anti-racism law in the interior of São Paulo, and the effect of the region’s unusual Confederate history on the rest of the population. You can read it here. The second article focuses on the emergence of palhaçaria feminina, or women’s clowning, and how women clowns are resisting Bolsonaro’s war on culture. Read it here.

My Fulbright year has been unbelievably fruitful in terms of artistic, personal, and professional growth. I’ve made so many friends and sincerely hope that this is not the last of my forays into the wonderful world of Brazilian clowns. My goals upon returning to the U.S. include applying to grad school, spending time with friends and family, and promoting the liberatory form of clowning.

I am very thankful to the 7-week Escola de Português for a fantastic summer of growth and learning that laid the path for this grant, and hope to return someday to Middlebury for more language study!