From school
to stage

The Torrão Theatre Workshop formed part of Oficinas de Teatro, a project developed by the D. Maria II National Theatre in partnership with the National Arts Plan, within the framework of the Odisseia Nacional – National Odyssey.

The project brings schools, artists, cultural venues and communities together through regular theatre training and creative processes rooted in the references and identity of each territory.

In Torrão, the workshop was led by Miguel Magalhães, professional actor and artistic director of Companhia do Sueste, with the collaboration of the Municipality of Alcácer do Sal, the Torrão School Cluster and Convento da Terra.

A full school year of continuous work

The workshop began on 8 October 2025 and took place every Wednesday after school.

Out of a school population of 156 pupils, fifteen joined the project. Eight attended regularly throughout the school year: Ana Duarte, Artur Pereira, Dafiny Nascimento, Davi Vieira, Íris Sardinha, Maria Fernanda Silva, Rita Valente and Sofia Pádua.

The weekly sessions focused on acting, physical and vocal expression, improvisation, reading, memorisation and collective creation.

Three public presentations

Histórias de um Rio — Stories of a River

The first public presentation took place on 18 April 2026.
In Histórias de um Rio, the young participants imagined different futures for the Xarrama, bringing together theatre, local memory and environmental concerns.
The presentation was followed by a conversation with the community, also involving the Torrão Senior University.

Eu Também Sou Um Rio — I Am also a River

On 9 May, the workshop presented Eu Também Sou Um Rio.

Young people and members of the community created and personalised pieces of blue fabric, which were then joined together to form a collective river carrying messages, drawings and symbols dedicated to the Xarrama.

The intervention formed part of the Por um Xarrama Vivo – For a Living Xarrama movement and the WalkingRivers programme, connecting the young participants to a broader process of learning about, valuing and caring for the river.O Velho, o Rapaz e o Burro

O Velho, o Rapaz e o Burro — The Old Man, the Boy and the Donkey

The final performance, O Velho, o Rapaz e o Burro, was presented on 11 June.

The production brought together the work developed throughout the year and gave the participants the opportunity to apply their newly acquired skills before families, teachers, partners and the wider community.

From Torrão to the National Theatre

The participants also took part in a guided visit to the D. Maria II National Theatre in Lisbon, before the official reopening of the building.

The visit introduced them to the spaces, professions and processes involved in creating and presenting a theatre production, while strengthening their connection with the institution behind the project.

Impact beyond growth

Over the course of one school year, the project achieved concrete results:
– weekly after-school sessions;
– 15 pupils involved, from a school population of 156;
– 8 regular participants from beginning to end;
– artistic direction by one professional actor;
– 5 Technical and Stagecraft Workshops;
– collective construction of scenery and props;
– 3 public presentations;
– a guided visit to the D. Maria II National Theatre;
– activation of the school, Convento da Terra AQUI, Praça Bernardim Ribeiro and Teatro Vicente Rodrigues;
– collaboration between a national cultural institution, the school, the municipality, an artist and local organisations.

Beyond these measurable results, the workshop created continued access to culture, encouraged young people’s expression and participation, and strengthened relationships between education, the environment, culture and community life.

The work centred on the Xarrama connected the participants with the Por um Xarrama Vivo movement, allowing them to contribute through artistic creation to a wider territorial process of river awareness and care.

The presentation at the Teatro Vicente Rodrigues also connected a new generation with Torrão’s strong theatrical heritage. The eight regular participants’ wish to continue creates a concrete opportunity to renew that legacy and sustain the role of theatre within the community.

The project contributes directly to Sustainable Development Goals 4, 10, 11 and 17, relating to quality education, reduced inequalities, sustainable communities and partnerships.

It also reflects the values of the New European Bauhaus – beauty, sustainability and inclusion – by bringing together artistic creation, participation, heritage, public space and environmental awareness.

The first year demonstrated that there is genuine interest, commitment and a strong foundation for consolidating a young theatre group in Torrão.

Production credits and organisations involved

Torrão Theatre Workshop — 2025/2026 school year

Project
Oficinas de Teatro — D. Maria II National Theatre

Framework
Odisseia Nacional — National Odyssey

Partner
National Arts Plan

Artistic and educational direction
Miguel Magalhães — Companhia do Sueste

Participants

Ana Duarte — Year 8, Class A
Artur Pereira — Year 5, Class A
Dafiny Nascimento — Year 7, Class A
Davi Vieira — Year 9, Class A
Íris Sardinha — Year 7, Class A
Maria Fernanda Silva — Year 7, Class A
Rita Valente — Year 7, Class A
Sofia Pádua — Year 7, Class A

School
Escola Básica 2,3 Bernardim Ribeiro — Torrão School Cluster

Local partners
Municipality of Alcácer do Sal
Convento da Terra

Local production
Convento da Terra

Starting date
8 October 2025

Frequency
Weekly sessions on Wednesdays, after school

Technical and Stagecraft Workshops

6, 13, 20 and 27 May 2026
Convento da Terra AQUI

3 June 2026
Teatro Vicente Rodrigues

Focus
Collective design and construction of scenery and props for the final performance.

Public presentations

Histórias de um Rio — Stories of a River
18 April 2026
Convento da Terra AQUI

Eu Também Sou Um Rio — I Am a River Too
9 May 2026
Convento da Terra ACOLÁ — Praça Bernardim Ribeiro, Torrão

O Velho, o Rapaz e o Burro — The Old Man, the Boy and the Donkey
11 June 2026
Convento da Terra ACOLÁ — Teatro Vicente Rodrigues, Torrão

Cultural and educational visit
Guided visit to the D. Maria II National Theatre, Lisbon

Acknowledgements

Our special thanks go to the Sociedade 1.º de Janeiro Torranense for the generosity and availability with which it welcomed the final Theatre Workshop performance at the Teatro Vicente Rodrigues.

We thank Ana, Artur, Dafiny, Davi, Íris, Maria Fernanda, Rita and Sofia for their commitment and their determination to continue this journey.

We also thank their families, teachers and the wider school community of Escola Básica 2,3 Bernardim Ribeiro.

Our thanks extend to Miguel Magalhães and Companhia do Sueste, the D. Maria II National Theatre, the National Arts Plan, the Municipality of Alcácer do Sal, the Torrão School Cluster and everyone who contributed to making the workshop possible.