João Paulo Seara Cardoso (1956-2010)

He had training in socio-cultural animation, theatre and puppets. Attended courses of the Institut National d’Éducation Populaire and the Institut International de la Marionnette. As main masters he had Marcel Violette, Lopez Barrantes, Jim Henson and João Coimbra.
Started theatrical activity and training in Teatro Universitário do Porto.
Devoted himself to the research and restoration of Teatro Dom Roberto, portuguese popular puppets and received from Mestre António Dias the inheritance of this secular tradition. Performed about fifteen hundred representations of Teatro Dom Roberto.
For national Portuguese television, he created and directed four series of programs for children: “A Árvore dos Patafúrdios”, “Os Amigos do Gaspar”, “Mópi” and “No Tempo dos Afonsinhos”.
In the field of children’s literature he has published nine books, most of which are theater. His first work “Dás-me um tesouro?” was awarded by Portuguese Writers Association.
Artistic director and founder of Teatro de Marionetas do Porto, having directed all the shows presented by the company, from 1988 to 2010. His creations were presented in several countries: Portugal, the Netherlands, Spain, England, Ireland, Italy, Belgium, Canada, France, Switzerland, Cape Verde, Austria, China, Brazil, Poland, Czech Republic, Israel and Morocco.
With choreographer Isabel Barros he co-directed two shows exploring the fusion of puppetry and dance: “3ª Estação” and “Hamlet Machine”.
Directed authors such as: Aquilino Ribeiro, Samuel Beckett, Eugene Ionesco, Al Berto, Gregory Motton, William Shakespeare, António José da Silva, Lewis Carrol, A. Milne, Almada Negreiros, Heiner Muller, Marguerite Duras, Alfred Jarry and Luísa Gomes.
Taught theatrical interpretation at Balleteatro Escola Profissional.
Museu das Marionetas do Porto was his big DREAM…
With Isabel Barros he had two daughters, Mafalda and Francisca.

• Interviews
• Writings
• Training