Luana Proença
Capoeiraing the stage
WS 10 - Capoeiraing the stage
Meeting Saturday 07.11.2025 9.45 am
workshop time:
Saturday 10 am - 5 pm
duration 6 hours
Workshop language: english
Level: 1-3
Capoeiraing the stage
WS 10
Capoeira is a clever and rebellious style of fight and dance from Africa/Brazil that, today, is also gathering people who just want to play it. Yes, there is a game to be played inside the circle and it only happens because of the connection with the people around. In this workshop, we use some principles of capoeira that can directly help our improvisation. It is the capoeira mindset for improv, and the mind is the body. We will work on the "string" body quality of "ginga" used in capoeira to be more available on stage. It is a quality that allows us to expand and retract (like a string), making us ready to give an offer and receive an offer at the same time (sounds like Impro already). It is a great way to feel words as movement and as part of the musicality on stage. This musicality is also explored by the group on the "sidelines", in our case, on the circle. Presence, group rhythm, ensemble connection, trust, and physicality, all at once: an opportunity to be playful with the risk.
About Luana
Luana Proença is a Brazilian artivist with a PhD in Theater, a Masters in Arts, Specialization in Cultural Management, Bachelor's degree in Acting. She made the Impro Documentary "It was necessary to listen to other voices". She completed the Improv program at The Second City Training Center Hollywood and a few Master Classes from 2016 to 2018. In Europe, she was a member of the Lilimprov and Codfish Waters Impro Groups, as well as The SIN (a European Impro network), and the cast of international shows. She also translates the “Status” magazine into Portuguese. Part of her training is in Dance, Physical Theater, Dramaturgy and Animation Theater. She teaches and performs internationally with her theater and improvisation workshops and shows. Published 3 books on Impro. She is one of the creative minds, and was, until 2024, a curator and artistic director of IRREVERENTE - Lisbon International Impro Festival. She performed and taught workshops in Brazil, USA, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Northern Ireland, Austria, Greece, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Vietnam and Australia.