From Techno-Myths to a Marilyn Monroe Memoir, “Made in Brasil” Festival Reclaims the LA Stage

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — This May, Brazilian voices take center stage in Los Angeles with Made in Brasil – Solo Works, a two-night performance festival that brings together five solo artists in a bold cultural intervention. Held on May 8 and 9 at Highways Performance Space in Santa Monica, the event explores immigrant identity, cultural memory, and contemporary dialogue through experimental performance.

Photo Credit: Carol Gherardi

Produced by Leopold Nunan and directed by Bia Oliveira, the festival was conceived to spotlight independent Brazilian artists working across theatre, performance art, and interdisciplinary practices. At a time when immigrant narratives are increasingly shaping the American cultural landscape, Made in Brasil positions Brazilian creators at the forefront rather than the margins of the conversation.

The program invites audiences into a curated journey through five distinct solo works that reflect the urgency and complexity of the Brazilian diaspora. Under Oliveira’s direction, the performances embrace hybridity, blending traditional theatrical elements with contemporary and cross-disciplinary approaches. The result is a fluid and dynamic representation of identity shaped across borders.

More than a showcase, the festival functions as a statement of presence, diversity, and artistic rigor within Los Angeles’ theatre ecosystem. “Brazilian artists in Los Angeles have long been producing powerful work without a unified platform,” said producer Leopold Nunan. “This festival is about awareness.”

Hosted by artist Andrea Ferraz, the evening unfolds through a mix of music, text, and theatrical experimentation. Highlights of the program include Minotaur.exe, a techno-myth performance by Nunan that merges ritual with digital dystopia; Clarice and the Chicos, a poetic piece by Bruna Fachetti inspired by Clarice Lispector and Chico Buarque; 158 Steps, a multimedia exploration of memory and migration by Renato Fimene; and Marilyn Times, a layered reinterpretation of Marilyn Monroe performed by Bia Borin.

Founded in Los Angeles, Made in Brasil is a performance platform dedicated to amplifying the work of the Brazilian diaspora through theatre, music, and multidisciplinary art. As a nonprofit organization, it continues to build bridges between Brazil and the United States while fostering visibility for underrepresented voices.

Festival director Bia Oliveira brings more than three decades of experience in theatre, combining artistic excellence with a strong commitment to cultural impact. Alongside her, Leopold Nunan continues to shape the platform as both an artist and cultural ambassador, expanding opportunities for Brazilian creatives in the international arts scene.