Saudade Theatre’s mission is twofold: to curate thought-provoking productions rooted in the Portuguese consciousness and to bridge cultural divides between Portugal, its diaspora, and the US. Saudade serves a vital role in filling a gap in American theatre, investigating Portuguese language works to resonate with audiences here. It also cultivates cross-cultural collaborations among theatre artists, filmmakers, musicians, and beyond. We bring together diverse creators, establishing an artistic nexus for the exchange of ideas and narratives between these distinct backgrounds. 

 

The absence of Portuguese plays on American bookshelves was the catalyst for Saudade’s formation in 2014, with the intention of discovering, translating and producing Portuguese works for American audiences. Our inaugural initiative, the Portuguese Table Series, began as a monthly reading program that showcased works from Portugal and its diaspora, translated by our resident artists. Through these gatherings, we became acquainted with the voices of acclaimed contemporary Portuguese playwrights. In 2017, Saudade Theatre staged its first production, the U.S. premiere of The Constitution by Mickaël de Oliveira, at the Under St. Marks Theatre in New York City. The performance garnered critical acclaim, with Broadway World describing it as “an intense, thought-provoking, and overall fascinating show,” while Culture Catch noted, “For Saudade Theatre, The Constitution is a compelling founding document.” Since then, we have expanded our original mission to embrace the development of new works in collaboration with multicultural artists, driven by a quest to explore and articulate our Portuguese-American identity.

 

Saudade Theatre has proudly overseen the development and production of several new works, including both US and World Premieres, and has organized multiple workshops and readings that prioritize intercultural exchange. We are proudly in residence with FRIGID New York.