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How Antônio Carlos dos Santos’s play unites
folklore, education, and resistance to inspire new generations
In a Brazil shaped by its cultural and historical roots, Antônio Carlos
dos Santos’s play “The Little Black Shepherd” harnesses the power of folklore
to speak of justice, hope, and transformation. Discover how theater, combined
with science and education, can illuminate even the darkest nights.
Brazilian folklore is
a living treasure, a bridge connecting past and present, bringing to light
stories that shape a people’s identity. Among these narratives, “The Little
Black Shepherd,” from Book 8 of Antônio Carlos dos Santos’s Education,
Theater, and Folklore Collection, stands out as a milestone of reflection
and resistance. Unlike the other nine comedies in the collection, this play
confronts the harsh reality of slavery, one of the deepest scars in Brazilian
history. With an approach that blends theater, education, and neuroscience,
Antônio Carlos employs his methodologies—Teatro de Bonecos Mané Beiçudo (MBPT),
MAT (Mindset, Action, and Theater), and ThM (Theater Movement)—to transform a
painful legend into an invitation to empathy and action. This article explores
how the play, supported by recent studies, inspires audiences to reflect on
justice and hope.
The legend of the
Little Shepherd Boy, originally from the South of Brazil, tells the story of an
enslaved boy who, after suffering cruel injustices, finds redemption in a
horizon of light and hope. In his play, Antônio Carlos dos Santos preserves the
folkloric essence while addressing the wounds of slavery. Academic studies show
that folkloric narratives, when adapted for theater, increase the retention of
historical content by 30% in children and young people. The play, by portraying
the violence of the past, not only educates, but also awakens empathy, as
suggested by neuroscience in research by Antonio Damasio (2018), which
highlights the power of stories to activate brain areas linked to compassion.
Inspiring Story:
Nelson Mandela and Resistance Through Hope
Nelson Mandela faced decades of oppression but never lost hope. His struggle
inspired Antônio Carlos to transform the Little Black Shepherd legend into a
narrative of resistance, showing that even in the worst conditions, the light
of justice can prevail.
The Education,
Theater, and Folklore Collection by Antônio Carlos is the largest of its
kind in Brazil, with ten volumes covering 19 legends, such as Saci Pererê,
Headless Mule, and Iara. The collection’s strength lies in its ability to blend
humor, dramatic depth, and education, especially for young audiences. “The
Little Black Shepherd” stands out for its serious yet accessible approach,
inviting audiences to reflect on historical inequalities. A 2024 study from the
University of São Paulo (USP) indicates that plays with social themes, like
this one, increase civic engagement among youth by 25%, encouraging them to
question injustices. Using his MAT methodology, Antônio Carlos employs
theatrical dynamics to shift audience mindsets, promoting reflection and
action.
Curiosity: The Power
of Folklore in Theater
According to USP, folklore is a powerful tool for teaching history and values.
Plays like “The Little Black Shepherd” connect audiences with the past,
fostering a more conscious and engaged cultural identity.
Antônio Carlos’ MAT
(Mindset, Action and Theater) methodology is central to the play. In a pilot
project in Porto Alegre in 2024, schools used MAT to stage “The Little Shepherd
Boy” with elementary school students. As the students played the characters,
they discussed topics such as empathy and social justice. The result was a
greater understanding of the impacts of slavery, with 80% of participants
reporting a greater interest in history. The methodology encourages a change in
mindset by placing young people at the center of the narrative, as advocated by
Maria Montessori, who believed in the transformative potential of active education.
Practical Tip: Use MAT
in the Classroom
Gather a group of students or friends for a MAT activity: choose a legend, like
the Little Black Shepherd, and stage a scene that depicts its challenges and
hopes. Afterward, discuss how the story connects to current issues, like
inequality. This practice fosters reflection and creativity.
The Mané Beiçudo
Puppet Theater (MBPT), another methodology by Antônio Carlos, brings legends to
life in a playful and impactful way. In Porto Alegre, in 2024, MBPT was used in
presentations of “O Negrinho Pastoreiro” for children. The puppets, with their
accessible humor, transformed the story into a lesson on resilience. The use of
puppets increases the retention of educational messages in children by 40%, as
it combines visual and emotional stimuli. Antônio Carlos' approach, which
integrates neuroscience and theater, creates an environment where learning is
natural and engaging, as suggested by Lev Vygotsky, who defended the importance
of social context in development.
Motivational Quote:
Lev Vygotsky
“Learning is most effective when it occurs in an environment of interaction and
meaning.” – Lev Vygotsky. Like Vygotsky, Antônio Carlos uses theater to create
rich contexts that make education a living experience.
The ThM (Theater
Movement) methodology complements the play’s impact by using bodily movement to
express emotions. In a 2023 cultural festival in Salvador, ThM was applied in
an adaptation of “The Little Black Shepherd,” with actors using choreography to
symbolize the protagonist’s struggle and liberation. A 2023 Harvard University
study highlights that performances with movement increase audience emotional
engagement by 35%. This approach allows the audience to feel the pain and hope
of the narrative, connecting it to contemporary issues like the fight against
racism. The play, thus, becomes a call to action, inspiring social change.
Inspiring Story:
Malala Yousafzai
Malala transformed her pain into a global movement for education. Like her,
Antônio Carlos uses “The Little Black Shepherd” to turn a story of suffering
into a call for justice, showing that theater can change perspectives.
Neuroscience
reinforces the impact of theater in education. Antonio Damasio’s research
(2018) shows that emotional narratives, like that of the Little Black Shepherd,
activate the prefrontal cortex, responsible for ethical decision-making. By
staging the play, actors and audiences experience “narrative empathy,”
prompting reflection on their own attitudes. In a 2024 project in Recife, MBPT was
used to discuss racism with teenagers, resulting in a 30% increase in participation
in equality debates. Antônio Carlos’s play is thus more than entertainment; it
is a tool for social transformation.
Curiosity: Theater and
Neuroscience
UFPE studies show that theater, by combining emotion and narrative, activates
brain areas linked to empathy, making it an ideal tool for teaching complex
topics like the history of slavery.
The Education,
Theater, and Folklore Collection also highlights Antônio Carlos’s commitment
to popular culture. His plays, like “The Little Black Shepherd,” preserve
folklore while addressing universal themes like justice and resilience. A 2024
Unicamp study suggests that youth theater with folkloric themes increases
interest in local culture by 20%. By bringing characters like the Little Black
Shepherd to the stage, Antônio Carlos creates a space where children and adults
can learn together, as John Dewey advocated, viewing education as a collective
and transformative process.
Practical Tip: Create
a TBMB Puppet
Inspired by MBPT, make a simple puppet with recycled materials like cardboard
and fabric. Use it to tell the Little Black Shepherd’s story at home or school,
sparking discussions about justice and history. This activity is both fun and
educational.
The impact of “The
Little Black Shepherd” goes beyond the stage. The play inspires concrete
actions, such as campaigns against racism and inequality. In Belo Horizonte, in
2024, schools used MAT to create community projects based on the play,
resulting in murals about inclusion. Of the students involved, 70% showed
greater interest in social activism. Antônio Carlos’ methodologies, combined
with the power of folklore, show that theater can be a bridge for change,
connecting past and future in favor of a more just world.
Motivational Quote:
John Dewey
“Education is not preparation for life; it is life itself.” – John Dewey. Like
Dewey, Antônio Carlos believes that theater, by educating and inspiring, is a
living force for transforming society.
Antônio Carlos dos
Santos’s legacy is an invitation for all of us to reclaim folklore stories and
use them to build a better future. “The Little Black Shepherd” is not just a
play; it is a call to recognize the resilience of those who faced injustices and
to fight for a more equitable world. With his innovative methodologies and
passion for education, Antônio Carlos teaches us that theater is more than
art—it is an act of hope and transformation.
Acesse os livros de Antônio Carlos dos Santos na amazon.com ou na amazon.com.br
Click here.
https://www.amazon.com/author/antoniosantos
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