Waldemar Henrique Theater's Stage Crew Turns Dreams into Shows
Administrative team, lighting technicians, and sound designers work hard to ensure that each scene is a unique experience for artists and the audience
The Experimental Theater Waldemar Henrique (TEWH), affectionately nicknamed Waldeco by artists and staff, is a space where art transforms into memorable experiences for the audience. Backstage, a dedicated multidisciplinary team of stage technicians, lighting designers, and sound designers works hard to ensure that each show is unique.
The TEWH team consists of professionals specialized in each area, many with specific technical training, such as the scenography course at UFPA. The collaboration between the theater technicians and the artistic companies is one of the pillars of the success of the shows. "The show's technician knows what the play needs; and ours knows what the theater offers. This dialogue is essential to create the best possible experience," highlights Netto Dugon, cultural assistant at TEWH. This partnership results in productions that enchant the audience, a product of joint work and shared knowledge.
Regarding the work of the technicians, the staff explains: "the stage technician assists in changing the stage-audience configuration, while the lighting technician needs to be attentive to this structure," explains Netto. The space, classified as an experimental box, allows for various configurations, such as arena, Italian, or Elizabethan, offering versatility for different artistic languages. "The show arrives with its technical sheet, and we provide consultancy to adapt it to our equipment and space," he adds.
Heritage - Celeste Iglesias, manager of TEWH, explains that Waldeco is a living heritage of Pará's culture, where tradition and innovation meet. “Here, our team works to transform each artistic project into cultural experiences, keeping alive the flame of creation that has illuminated our stage for decades. This space belongs to everyone - artists, technicians, and the audience - and we will continue to work to ensure it remains a beacon of art in our city,” she concludes.
A Space with History and Personality. Built in the early 20th century, the Waldemar Henrique building carries decades of history. Originally designed to be a cinema, the space was transformed into a theater in 1979 - where it shared the space with the Ciatur Tourism Company - and after a movement led by local artists, in 1997, it became our well-known TEWH today. Its historic architecture, listed as a heritage site, invites cultural immersion.
The versatility of the venue allows for creative uses, such as performances in the mezzanine or innovative stage adaptations. "Here, the scenic possibilities are endless," celebrates Netto, highlighting how the theater reinvents itself with each new production.
Managed by the Cultural Foundation of Pará (FCP), the Waldemar Henrique Theater is more than a stage: it is a space for the democratization of art. By welcoming experimentation and training specialized professionals, the FCP reinforces its role in valuing local culture, ensuring that the artistic scene in Pará remains vibrant and accessible to all. With a dedicated team and a space full of stories to tell, TEWH continues to be one of the protagonists of Belém's cultural life, where the magic of theater comes to life with each new performance.
