“MECHITA”, by Sol Garcia

MECHITA
Sol Garcia
Palcos Instáveis / Coproduction with Teatro Municipal do Porto

MECHITA is a creation in which six women share a stage that becomes a mirror, invoking the body as a living archive, a territory of memory and a site of resistance. Drawing on fragments of childhood, freedom, voice and femininity, the piece intertwines the creator’s personal universe with those of the performers, exploring the Romani heritage passed down through her father’s family. Its title, inspired by affectionate diminutives used to name children in some cultures, invites reflection on an ancestry that endures within the body without asking permission. MECHITA is a poetic celebration of transformation, the collective body, and the fleeting beauty of being alive.

Sol Garcia is a performer, choreographer and teacher working in contemporary dance and performance. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Dance from the Escola Superior de Dança and a Master’s degree in Contemporary Artistic Creation from the University of Aveiro. She began her artistic journey through urban and social dance, joining Dance2xs Portugal and performing at the MTV European Music Awards. In 2006, she won the Nike Women Portugal competition and later the second season of the television programme So You Think You Can Dance? Portugal.

Since 2009, she has worked as a performer with choreographers and companies including Victor Hugo Pontes, Tiago Rodrigues, Hofesh Shechter, Olga Roriz, Companhia Erva Daninha, Joana Providência, Clara Andermatt, Companhia Instável, Albano Jerónimo, Nuno Preto, João Lucas and Roberto Olivan.

In 2024, she joined the cast of Rodrigo Areias’ feature film A Pedra Sonha Dar Flor (The Stone Dreams of Blooming) and became a member of the European contemporary dance research collective iCoDaCo – International Contemporary Dance Collective.

As a creator, she develops a practice centred on the relationship between body, memory, ancestry and community-based creation, exploring the body as a living archive and a poetic territory.

Dance – 50 min

heritage – voice – choral body – lost childhood – girlhood / womanhood

 

Nov 27 and 28 / Café Teatro at Teatro Campo Alegre

Creation: Sol Garcia

Co-creation and Performance: Sol Garcia, Thalia Agapaki, Mercedes Quijada, Inês Luzio, Beatriz Rôla

Trainee Performer: Andreia Lopes

Research, Set Design and Visual Concept Support: Cheila Garcia

Dramaturgical Support: Cristina Planas Leitão

External Eye: Daniela Cruz

Musical Composition: Inês Luzio, Beatriz Rôla

Lighting Design: Cárin Geada

Costume Design: Cacá Otto Reus

Executive Production: Teresa Camarinha

Administration and Press: Coleção B

Residency Support: Instável – Centro Coreográfico, Sekoia Artists’ Shelter 2025 & 2026, Companhia Erva Daninha, CAMPUS – Paulo Cunha e Silva, Estúdios Victor Cordon, PAZ – Performance Arts Zone

Co-production: Vila Real Municipal Theatre, Instável – Centro Coreográfico and Teatro Municipal do Porto*

Creation Support: Fundação GDA, Teatro Municipal do Porto – Campo Alegre / Palcos Instáveis 2027, Nome Próprio (Criar em Nome Próprio Incubator)

* As part of the Palcos Instáveis cycle