A scene from Bras Cubas, by Brazilian theater company Armazem Theater Company and director Paulo de Moraes. CHINA DAILY

"Theater is a visual world: At specific moments, the audience shares the same scene," he adds. "However, the combination of these scenes allows for the possibility of experiencing the work from a personal perspective, because not everyone sees the same content at the same time. What we perceive may be invisible to others. In this highly individualized experience, theater may have the power to illuminate our beliefs, doubts, emotions and thoughts."

Born in 1965 in Brazil, De Moraes began his career in 1987 as a director, set designer and playwright. In the same year he founded the company.

Based in Rio de Janeiro, he has won numerous awards in the Brazilian theater scene. Under his leadership, the company has won more than 100 Brazilian theater awards, establishing it as a national treasure.

"I was passionate about acting. However, the sudden death of my previous company's director — who was also very young — made me feel that I needed to explore directing. I gathered a group of actors younger than myself and founded this theater," the director recalls.

Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn

A scene from Bras Cubas, by Brazilian theater company Armazem Theater Company and director Paulo de Moraes. CHINA DAILY