Teatro Castro Alves (Castro Alves Theater), Salvador

A national and international cultural landmark, the Castro Alves Theater celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2017. The main auditorium’s avant-garde architecture and cutting-edge equipment earned it the reputation of being one of the most complete performance venues in the Americas. In 1958, just days before its official opening, a mysterious fire destroyed the theater’s main block, leaving Bahia’s population in shock. However, the Acoustic Shell survived and was inaugurated in April 1959.

The theatre’s reconstruction, lasting nine years, took place during the politically turbulent era of Brazil’s military dictatorship. Over time, it has grown beyond being just a theater, evolving into a dynamic cultural center. In the last few years, the TCA has embraced a more inclusive, public-oriented approach, fostering a closer connection with the community. Between 2015 and 2016 alone, nearly half a million people attended over 300 performances in the Main Auditorium and the newly reopened Acoustic Shell, underscoring the theater’s significant cultural impact on Bahia.

Today, the TCA features reimagined spaces, including the Main Auditorium, Choir Room, Acoustic Shell, Foyer, Technical Center, Open Lobby, Suspended Garden, and Theater Café. It also supports various initiatives such as the TCA Series, which brings international performances to Salvador; the Theater Nucleus, established in 1995 to integrate the TCA with all facets of the performing arts; Plugged Conversations, which connects the theater’s team and local arts community with nationally and internationally renowned artists; and Sunday at TCA, offering affordable, high-quality performances.

Among the theater’s esteemed resident companies are the Bahia Symphony Orchestra (OSBA), founded in 1982 and now under the direction of maestro Carlos Prazeres, and the Castro Alves Theater Ballet (BTCA), the first public dance company in Brazil’s North and Northeast. With a repertoire exceeding 70 works and a corps of 36 dancers, the BTCA is a prominent force in both modern and contemporary dance.