MANACÁ TROUPE BRAZILIAN ARTS.

LUCIANA MCCADDEN

Co-Founder, Producer & Actress

Luciana McCadden is a Brazilian-American actress, theater producer, educator, playwright, and co-founder of Manacá Troupe Brazilian Arts LLC. Her journey in theater began at age 15, when she founded her first theater group, Hayra Fênix, while attending Escola Estadual Rio da Areia in Saquarema, Brazil. Throughout her career, Luciana has worked as an actress, theater teacher, director, producer, and playwright. She wrote three original theatrical plays, all officially registered with the Fundação Biblioteca Nacional in Rio de Janeiro. In the early 2000s, she worked as a theater teacher with Jovens pela Paz, a youth initiative launched by the Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro as part of the "Todos pela Paz" program. Luciana worked for nine years as a lead Montessori teacher, working with toddlers. She later taught theater through Seattle Performers’ after-school program for elementary school students in Seattle-area schools. She has also worked as a Zumba instructor. In addition, Luciana worked with JSOL Studio, supporting community programs for BIPOC families, including connecting families with resources and educational opportunities. Today, Luciana combines her experience in theater, education, production, and community work as Co-Founder of Manacá Troupe Brazilian Arts LLC.

ROSE ANICETO

Co-Founder, Artistic Director  & Producer 

Rose Aniceto is an actress, visual artist, playwright, director, producer, educator, and co-founder of Manacá Troupe Brazilian Arts. Holding degrees in Art Education, Performing Arts, and Actor Training from the Faculdade Paulista de Artes in São Paulo, Brazil, she has built a multidisciplinary career spanning decades dedicated to theater, arts education, cultural production, and community engagement. In Brazil, she worked extensively within the public sector, collaborating with schools and departments of culture, as well as on high-impact social projects such as the São Paulo State Foundation for the Socio-Educational Care of Adolescents (Fundação CASA) and the Association of Support for Children at Risk (ACER Brasil), where she led the “Cinema Pampa” project, which was awarded the prestigious Itaú-Unicef Prize in 2005. Her extensive background encompasses the direction and production of dozens of theatrical plays, many of them tailored for youth audiences, alongside collaborations with renowned names such as theater director Mario Cesar Costaz. After relocating to the United States, she continued her career in education, including experience in Montessori pedagogy, while remaining deeply active in cultural and community projects.

Fatima Romagnoli

                Jururu

Fátima Romagnoli is originally from Paraná, Brazil, and has lived in Seattle for over 20 years. She studied Law at Universidade Estadual de Maringá, but has always maintained a strong passion for the performing arts, especially puppetry. Her artistic journey began in Brazil, where she participated in several dance groups, developing her love for movement, performance, and creative expression. In the United States, she was part of the original cast of Lá Dentro da Mata, performing on stage while also contributing to the production. Fátima has worked as a full-time real estate agent since 2018. Prior to that, she was part of Amazon’s Global Selling team, working in international sales and business development. Her professional experiences have strengthened her love of meeting people, sharing stories, and creating meaningful experiencessomething she brings with her to the stage. Above all, Fátima is the proud mother of two sons, Felipe and Lucas, who are the loves of her life, along with her sweet dog, Bella, and her silly cat, Willow.

Luciana McCadden

Poti

Luciana McCadden is a Brazilian American actress, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She is a professionally registered actress in Brazil (DRT), with a career focused on theater and a passion for bringing Brazilian stories and culture to audiences in both Brazil and the United States. She received professional theater training at several schools and institutions in Rio de Janeiro, including Calouste Gulbenkian and Casa Walter Avancini. Throughout her career in Brazil, she has worked under the direction of Vicky Militello, Camila Amado, Ernesto Piccolo, Jansen Hugo Lage, and other renowned Brazilian theater professionals. In the United States, Luciana participated in the production of “The Clean House” by Sarah Ruhl, playing the role of Matilde. She also participated as an actress in a Telemundo television show in California, participated in the music video for “Be Careful What You Wish For” by Sir Mix-a-Lot, and completed the “Let’s Make a Movie” course at the University of Washington. Luciana has been an actress in “Lá Dentro da Mata” since its first season.

Jó Oliveira

                        Ayri

Jô graduated in Performing Arts from the Federal University of Goiás (UFG-BR). She was a member of Grupo Sonhus Teatro Ritual for 12 years, working as an actress, teacher, author, researcher, producer, and cultural project developer, as well as serving on the coordination team of Centro Cultural Espaço Sonhus. During her time with the group, she participated in 11 productions and starred in the solo performance Tudo “S”erto, showcasing her skills in clowning, mime, and physical theater. She is also the author of the book Travessias: Processos de Aprendizagem do Ator-Dançarino com o Butoh (Crossings: Learning Processes of the Actor-Dancer with Butoh). Her work in cultural production includes the curation and coordination of projects such as Encontro de Atores Criadores, Mercado das Artes, Bienal do Teatro Físico, and Mostra Solo Cerrado. Her artistic journey has also included international artistic exchanges in three countries, as well as numerous courses and workshops.

Michela Wood

Curupira, Golden Lion Tamarin , Capybara,

Sloth & Anteater

Michela was born in Apucarana, Paraná, Brazil. She began studying drama and dance at the age of ten and, over the next fifteen years, participated in numerous theatrical productions and performed with the Harim dance group. Her passion for the arts has also been an important part of her philanthropic work. She has participated in missionary projects around Paranaguá Island and volunteered with a nonprofit animal organization, combining her artistic talents with a strong commitment to serving her community. A photographer, face painter, and clown artist, Michela brings creativity, versatility, and a genuine passion for artistic expression to every project she joins.  She previously performed in Lá Dentro da Mata Seasons 2 and 3 and is delighted to return for the 4th Season. This season holds a special meaning for Michela, as she is thrilled to share the stage with her daughter, creating a memorable artistic experience and celebrating the joy of performing together.

Adriana Da Cunha

Capybara, Golden Lion Tamarin, Female Alligator & Parrot 

Adriana was born in Salvador, Brazil. She is a Portuguese interpreter and paraeducator at Lake Washington School District, as well as the creator of Quarte Tube, an educational YouTube channel for kids. She has always had a passion for dance and working with children. Her artistic journey began in childhood with ballet, followed by gymnastics. In high school, she discovered ballroom dance and flamenco, beginning a lifelong love for movement. Today, she has returned to flamenco and enjoys exploring Afro Brazilian dance, celebrating the rich rhythms and traditions of her culture. In 2019, Adriana performed in Lá Dentro da Mata as a dancer, and her favorite character was the alligator mom. In 2026, she is happy to return to Lá Dentro da Mata with the Manacá Troupe Brazilian Arts production, bringing her love for Brazilian culture, dance, and the magic of the forest back to the stage. She is excited to reconnect with the production and share its beauty with audiences once again.

Tekka Goldman

Arvore da Montanha & jaguar

Tekka Goldman was born in Eunápolis, Bahia, Brazil, and raised in São Paulo. Her passion for the performing arts began at a young age, when she enjoyed imitating character voices and dreamed of becoming a voice actress. Her theatrical journey began at Teatro Macunaíma, followed by drama classes at Cultura Inglesa, where she had the opportunity to perform in English as the Wolf and Anastasia in Into the Woods. In 2018, Tekka moved to the United States through the Au Pair program, where she continued to explore her passion for performance and creative expression. Her experiences across different cultures have enriched her artistic perspective and strengthened her connection to storytelling. Tekka is excited to be part of the cast of Lá Dentro da Mata and to continue developing her artistic journey with Manacá Troupe Brazilian Arts, celebrating Brazilian culture and bringing its stories and traditions to the stage.

Magaly Rodrigues

Mount Dance Tree

Magaly Rodríguez is originally from Peru,  a mother of two and an accounting associate who has always found joy through dance. She practices Zumba and proudly participates in traditional Peruvian dances. Magaly has a special connection with children, having spent 10 years working with preschoolers and 5 years in a Montessori school. Some of her favorite memories include dancing, singing and sharing joyful moments with children. Magaly has attended the previous seasons of Lá Dentro da Mata and greatly enjoyed the production and is excited to join the production this season. She has a deep appreciation for Brazilian culture and a special love for the Portuguese language. Being part of Manacá Troupe Brazilian Arts and its production of Lá Dentro da Mata allows Magaly to reconnect with her playful side and rediscover the joy of being a child.

         ELAINE SAITO

       Saci & Mount Dance Tree

Elaine Saito is originally from the state of São Paulo, Brazil, and has lived in the United States for over 18 years. In 2019, she became part of the Lá Dentro da Mata production by helping create the children’s alligator costumes. 

She fell in love with the story, music, and spirit of the play.

Now, Elaine makes her acting debut with Lá Dentro da Mata, taking the stage as Saci, one of Brazil’s beloved folklore characters. 

She also continues to support the production through her costume-making skills. 

Passionate about Brazilian culture, Elaine enjoys being part of projects that celebrate and keep Brazilian stories and traditions alive in the community.

Milena Pontes

    Male Alligator & Mount Dance Tree

Milena Pontes Ferreira is originally from Pernambuco, Brazil and now lives in Washington State with her husband and daughter keeping Brazilian culture alive in her home, where Portuguese is a “required subject.” A passionate educator, she has worked in schools in both Brazil and the United States and collaborated on a project for children at risk in Recife. Art has also been part of her journey where she directed school plays and participated in the theater and choir ministries of her church. In 2019, she was part of the backstage team of Lá Dentro da Mata, produced by Manacá Troupe and now she returns to the production, this time on stage. An avid reader and traveler, she records stories and photographs in journals and scrapbooks, lovingly embracing her role as the “keeper of her family’s memories.”