The call of the stage

A new entrant to the Konkani tiatr stage, Juvency Simoes has been slowly gaining popularity owing to her talent

J.P. PEREIRA

Juvency Simoes does not have any family background in tiatr. Yet, she always had a desire to act on the Konkani stage. She finally got her break when she auditioned and landed a role for Milagres de Chandor’s tiatr titled
‘Let’s Go’.

“This was the beginning. Fortunately, I got offers from other directors both on the commercial stage as well as in Kala Academy Tiatr Competitions,” says the Panaji-based artiste who hails from Velim.

Simoes went on to perform in ‘Last Kiss’ and ‘Tequila Shots’ by Milagres de Chandor, ‘Parveache Rogot Dovem Ani Kavlleache Rogot Kallem’ by Pete Roshan, ‘Taj Mahal-Kosolltolem Kai?’ by Willie Silveira and ‘Chiklantlim Fullam’ by Lawry Travasso. She has also acted for tiatr in the Kala Academy Competitions and substituted for other actresses in Roseferns ‘Dev Tumkam Bhogsum’ and Comedian Bryan’s ‘Mhoji Kori Mai’.

“Tiatr competitions are a good way to start, as one learns the finer nuances of acting, and this makes the foundation strong,” she says.

Simoes has done serious and comedy roles. In her last outing, she played a woman jilted in love, who goes into depression. She will now be seen in Pierson d’Costa’s new tiatr, ‘Munis Mortoch Roddon Faido Na’, to be released in
October 2025.

“I am grateful to God for this talent given to me. The audience has been supportive and my parents have been very encouraging and helpful,” she says.

A good singer, she has also rendered songs that have been appreciated by the audience and also won her many prizes. “I compose my own lyrics, based on woman power and social issues. I am glad that the audience has liked my songs and that encourages me to write even more,” she says.

A final year microbiology student at St. Joseph Vaz College, Cortalim, Simoes plans to continue acting while pursuing a job. “I would also like to perform for events and render ‘toast’ songs, for occasions like weddings, birthdays and other celebrations,” she says.