Artistic Director, Márcia Treidler “Mestra Cigarra”

Márcia Treidler “Mestra Cigarra,” is a 42-year Capoeira veteran and the founder and artistic director of ABADÁ-Capoeira San Francisco (ACSF). She began Capoeira in 1982 under the renowned Mestre Camisa, a student of the legendary Mestre Bimba.

Throughout the 1980s there were only a handful of women training. Márcia was determined to change the trajectory for women in the art. With persistent hard work, she earned respect and a place amongst the leading practitioners. In 1987, she began teaching street children, and by 1990, had attained the highest level reached by any woman in ABADÁ-Capoeira, a status she maintains today.

In 1991, at age 25, Márcia left Brazil for the U.S. and founded ACSF to preserve and expand Capoeira and to use Capoeira as a catalyst for positive change.

As an undocumented immigrant artist, Márcia started modestly with two weekly classes for a handful of students. Awareness of her talent grew and gradually she added classes, performances, and events.

In 1997, her artistic contribution to the U.S. was recognized when she was the first female artist to receive a National Interest Waiver as an “Alien with Extraordinary Abilities,” granting her permanent residence. That same year, with Executive Director Jennifer Walsh (Professora Sereia), she established ACSF’s Center, the area’s first venue dedicated to Brazilian art and culture.

In 2013, she was the first woman from the ABADÁ legacy to receive the title “Mestra,” making her one of the top 10 Capoeiristas of some 60,000 international members.

Márcia regularly travels to teach, supervise, and support ABADÁ-Capoeira schools across the globe. She’s valued as an innovative choreographer; a sought-after teacher; a teacher and mentor for ACSF and ABADÁ-North American artists; a role model for Brazilian, immigrant, women and girls, and LGBTQIA+ populations; and a bridge-builder in our community.

She continues her commitment to protecting the integrity of Capoeira by illuminating historic significance while advancing cultural knowledge; mentoring countless next-generation artists; and amplifying gender equity in Capoeira internationally.

Márcia leads women and men to unprecedented levels of success in the art, and her work promotes the increasing presence and impact of women in the art.