Rainhas da História: a Didactic-aesthetic experimentation on Drag Art in storytelling for Children & Inside the Box: Curiosity, Autonomy, and Lambe-Lambe Theatre

Two lectures by Matheus Messias (Artists, TCD) and Thales Sauvo (Theatre Practitioner) for the Schoolf of Creative Arts Research Forum.

Rainhas da História: a Didactic-aesthetic experimentation on Drag Art in storytelling for Children  
Abstract: This study sought to examine how storytelling mediated by a Drag Queen character can contribute to critical reflections on a society structured around binary gender norms, as well as promote the early introduction of children to the ethical discussions that emerge from such a context. The research was grounded in a bibliographic survey addressing storytelling practices and gender identity within early childhood education. This survey drew upon peer-reviewed scientific articles published in education journals and was complemented by an analysis of children’s literary narratives that feature characters who challenge fixed and normative gender patterns. To supplement the theoretical framework established in the literature review, storytelling sessions conducted by a Drag Queen character were developed and disseminated through videos published on an Instagram page. These sessions functioned both as pedagogical interventions and as objects of analysis. Subsequently, playful and participatory activities were proposed for children, based on their engagement with the narrated stories. Such activities aimed to encourage critical thinking and ethical reflection from an early age, fostering the gradual destabilization of cis-heteronormative values that are commonly imposed by the adult social world. 
KEYWORDS: Drag Queen. Storytelling. Genre. Child Education. 
Bio: Matheus is a multidisciplinary artist born in Maringá, Brazil, who began his artistic journey through dance and amateur theatre, dedicating nearly a decade to Brazilian folk dance and popular street theatre. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre from the State University of Maringá, where he engaged in research on gender, sexuality, and internationalization, publishing work such as “The Inclusion of Drag Art in Storytelling for Children.” As a performer, he has participated in diverse theatrical productions, including street and musical theatre, and has professional experience as a clown and drag artist. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Theatre and Performance at Trinity College Dublin. 

Inside the Box: Curiosity, Autonomy, and Lambe-Lambe Theatre 
Abstract: This presentation discusses a journey of continuous research on Lambe-Lambe Theatre developed during my undergraduate studies, integrating an initial undergraduate research project and a final dissertation into a single practice-based investigation. The research examined Lambe-Lambe Theatre as an autonomous form within animated theatre, focusing on its strong power of attraction in urban and alternative spaces. It combined historical research on its ancestral practices, interviews with its creators Denise de Santos and Ismine Lima, and practical experimentation through the creation and presentation of Lambe-Lambe performances. The study evolved into a deeper analysis of the artist’s autonomy driven by curiosity, addressing the material, spatial, and aesthetic elements that enable the form’s independence and free circulation. Through written reflection and an audiovisual memorial documenting my own artistic practice, the research highlights Lambe-Lambe Theatre as a contemporary, decentralised artistic language that challenges conventional modes of production and fosters direct, intimating encounters between artist and audience. 
Bio: Thales Sauvo is a theatre practitioner with experience as an actor, teacher, director, and cultural producer. He trained at the Martins Penna State Technical Theatre School, holds a Licentiate degree in Theatre from the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, and a postgraduate qualification in Theatre and Education from the Federal Institute of Northern Minas Gerais. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Theatre and Performance at Trinity College Dublin. An artist-researcher, he founded Grupo Depois do Ensaio in 2012, earning awards across Brazil. He is also a puppeteer and co-creator of the Anima Praça Animated Forms Theatre Festival. 

This event is run in accordance with Trinity’s Dignity and Respect policy, and its commitment to nurturing a respectful and inclusive research culture.
Please indicate if you have any access requirements, such as ISL/English interpreting, so that we can facilitate you in attending this event. Contact: klineh@tcd.ie