An almost resident company

Our happiest moments are those spent in the company of actors. Their art and skills are essential to us. We are convinced that having a group of actors under contract for a season or a year gives us a better grasp of our own stage productions and repertoire. An almost resident cast favours the national and international touring of our shows, and these actors can also take part in co-productions and support other events in our programming. A group identity is growing within this team of six actors, who have all shared the stage in A Morte de Danton, and that experience is now further enriched in Castro.

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Afonso Santos

Began his professional acting career in O Fidalgo Aprendiz, under the direction of João Pedro Vaz. First worked with Nuno Cardoso in a production of Eugene O’Neill’s Desire Under the Elms, and they have frequently collaborated since then, namely in a number of community-focused projects. Travelled to the Netherlands to follow the work of Ivo van Hove’s Toneelgroep Amsterdam in their production of Long Day’s Journey Into Night. At the TNSJ, was part of the cast of Lulu, directed by Nuno M Cardoso.

Joana Carvalho

Hers is the voice that tells that the show is about to begin at the TNSJ. Many children have grown with her voicing their favourite cartoons. Besides long being a voice-over and dubbing professional, she is also a dance teacher. Has worked with many stage directors, including Nuno Cardoso (Demónios), João Cardoso (A Promessa) and Joana Moraes (Eldorado). Special mention must be made of her work with Nuno Carinhas and the TNSJ in a handful of shows.

João Melo

This stage, TV and film actor has worked with many different companies and stage directors, such as José Carretas, Rogério de Carvalho or Gonçalo Amorim, but his close collaboration with Nuno Cardoso is particularly noteworthy (Veraneantes, Porto São Bento, Bella Figura, among many other productions). Played the leading role in the short films Antes de Amanhã, by Saguenail, and Odisseia dos Pássaros, by Fernando Cavaleiro. At the TNSJ, was part of the cast of Lulu, directed by Nuno M Cardoso.

Maria Leite

Has a special affinity for the audiovisual arts, both in front and behind the camera, having worked as a video film-maker and as part of the cast of various TV series, soap operas and films (her role in Diamantino is unforgettable). Has collaborated with several theatre creators and companies: Colectivo 84, in Sócrates Tem de Morrer and A Vida de John Smith; Teatro da Terra, in A Menina do Mar; and Ao Cabo Teatro, in Pulmões and Bella Figura.

Mário Santos

A founding member of Teatro Bruto, where he worked until 2007, after which he became a freelancer. Collaborated with various production structures and many stage directors. In the audiovisual field, he has been a dubbing actor since 1998, and performed in several TV series and soap operas. At the TNSJ, he was part of the cast of Arranha Céus, directed by Ricardo Pais, and Breve Sumário da História de Deus, directed by Nuno Carinhas.

Rodrigo Santos

After wavering between Law and Drama, finally opted for the latter career, founding the Teatro da Palmilha Dentada company with Ricardo Alves and Ivo Bastos. Collaborated with Carlos J. Pessoa, António Durães, João Brites, João Cardoso and Nuno Cardoso, among others. Worked on film and TV with such directors as Rodrigo Areias or Francisco Manso. Has a special inclination for music, which led him to work on musical creation and direction for theatre and dance.