Art and Nothing Much

I’m William Fernandes and I am a writer, playwright, theater director, and musician who insists on doing far too many things at once. I’m not famous—Google would have told you by now—but my works have managed to sneak their way onto stages and readers in Germany, the United States, and Brazil. I try to craft my stories with a mix humor, depth, and a touch of mischief.

Books

Stage Plays

Songs

Time Line

“The less I chase the crowd,

the more I discover the few who count

— and the quiet time I need for myself.”

STAGE PLAYS

All
For adults
For Kids
Musicals
Comedies

The Fine Art of Jealousy

Age 15+ · Family Comedy · Charming · Elegant · Very Funny Step into a glamorous 1920s country house where a honeymoon couple, a witty grandmother, and a cast of unexpected guests turn jealousy into pure comedy. Elegant, charming, and irresistibly funny — a family comedy that sparkles with wit and delight.

Kidnapping Roseline Brown

A Musical Comedy with a wicked twist — recommended for ages 12 and up. Kidnapping Roseline Brown turns awkward situations, wild misunderstandings, and class clashes into pure mischief on stage. With original sheet music for piano, choir, guitar, and bass guitar, this darkly funny tale sings as much as it stings.

A Long and Wet Funeral Night

In a luxurious funeral home, a storm rages outside—and inside, secrets are about to burst open. During the wake of Dilia Bastos, her grieving husband, a corrupt politician, struggles to keep his composure beside his old friend, a charming but shady pimp. What neither man knows is that they are bound by a crime that went terribly wrong: one hired a burglar to steal a USB drive from his blackmailing wife; the other was the burglar.

The Leap

An experimental play for adults. From the myth of Daedalus and Icarus to the tangled routines of modern life, The Leap confronts the arrogance, illusions, and invisible walls we build around ourselves. We may not fly — but we can leap out of the labyrinths that keep us locked.

Mothers

An over-the-top dark comedy in high heels — strictly fabulous for ages 16 and up. Eight outrageous mothers storm the stage in wigs, pearls, and plenty of attitude, serving up eight scenes packed with sass, slapstick, and razor-sharp one-liners. The Mother Complex is a riot of love, care, tears… and Prozac, darling.

Trasharella

A joyful musical for the whole family. With enchanting songs by William Fernandes for both soloists and choir, it reminds us that sidewalks, squares, and parks of our city are extensions of our own homes. Playful and powerful, it also reminds us that we must not be complicit, that bullies are only hiding their insecurities, and that every voice — and every vote — holds real power.

LAB – A Rotten Harvest

In LAB – A Rotten Harvest, the “fields” of abundance turn sour as ambition, greed, and human folly take center stage. With biting satire, eccentric characters, and music that swings between playful and haunting, this harvest reaps laughter as much as it exposes rot.

High Emergency

When the local clinic’s doctor overdoses in his office, chaos explodes in the waiting room. The receptionist panics, the cleaning lady tries to keep it together, and the clueless security guard is pushed into playing the doctor. With patients piling up, the cure quickly becomes worse than the disease. A fast-paced farce full of absurd diagnoses, misplaced authority, and laughter as the only prescription.

Peggy and Bob in Buy-buy Land

Peggy and Bob are just like any other children: they love to play, to run, to get messy, and to invent fantastic stories. But one day, their games are interrupted by a mysterious call coming from a glowing tablet… A voice — seductive and cheerful — beckons them closer. It is Kandy, the glamorous influencer, ready to lure them into the dazzling illusions of Buy-Buy Land.

The Protocol Machine

What shapes our lives — our choices, or the invisible rules that guide them? The Protocol Machine unfolds in a series of bold, fragmented scenes, exposing the rituals of consumerism, the weight of social protocols, the struggles of migration, and the silent power of those who claim the right to write history.

Piccolo's Big Adventures

When the brass orchestra gets ready for the big concert, little Piccolo feels too small to matter. The trumpets, trombones, and tubas laugh at his tiny sound—until the Maestro arrives with a surprise. Suddenly, the smallest instrument has the biggest role of all! Full of music, laughter, and heart, this joyful children’s musical celebrates self-confidence, friendship, and the harmony that comes when every voice counts.

“Of course, science doesn’t have all the answers.
But unlike religion or other kinds of mysticism,
when it faces the unknown, it simply says, ‘We don’t know yet.’
It doesn’t need to make up a story.”

BOOKS

All
for kids
Non fiction
Novel
Stage Play

Trasharella

For kids 7+ it reminds us that sidewalks, squares, and parks of our city are extensions of our own homes. Playful and powerful, it also reminds us that we must not be complicit, that bullies are only hiding their insecurities, and that every voice — and every vote — holds real power.

Trasharela (Illustrated)

A read-aloud book for young children (ages 3 and up).

This beautifully illustrated edition brings to life the beloved urban fable Trasharella.
Adapted with sensitivity by William Fernandes, translated by Michael Donaldson, and vividly illustrated by Franklin Silva, it invites adults and children alike to share a story filled with imagination, humor, and heart.

The Papadopoulos

The Seeds of the Papadopoulos is the second novel by William Fernandes. A passionate admirer of both wine and Greece, the author took his time crafting this story, filled with exotic and intense characters. Over the course of four years, he wrote it slowly and deliberately—much like the aging of a fine wine. The result is a novel that allows the reader to feel the aroma and breeze of the Peloponnese with every page.
At the heart of the plot are the Papadopoulos family and their vineyard, woven into multiple storylines that converge into a single narrative—dramatic, thoughtful, and, above all, rich in humor.

Stimuli

It’s William’s first novel. Set against the backdrop of Berlin, Stimuli is a daring exploration of sexuality, trauma, and the fine line between care and obsession. Written in clear, elegant prose, it is a novel that challenges taboos while offering an intense and absorbing reading experience.

Quick and Nimble Theater Plays - II

Eastern Edge: A Comedy of Dark Delights

Step into a world where Eastern European culture, architecture, and history collide with modern-day black humor, homoeroticism, and raw absurdity. These four comedies serve as a bold antidote to the humorless times, delivering laughter laced with shock and intrigue.

Perfectly suited for small stages, bars, and unconventional venues, these scenes can be performed individually or as a unified experience. Expect polished language paired with unapologetically raw and grotesque storytelling that’s sure to provoke and entertain.

Prepare for outrageous humor, visceral storytelling, and an experience that dares to be obscene and absurd.

Quick and Nimble Theater Plays - I

This book is a true gem for amateur actors, theater students, and teachers who wish to enrich their classes and workshops. Created especially to support the theatrical development of young people and adults, it offers a diverse collection of short and dynamic scenes, perfect for exploring a variety of genres and styles.

Ideal for immediate application, the book encourages creativity and teamwork, inspiring actors and authors to bring their own creations to life and share their unique visions with the world. Whether you are a theater student or a teacher looking for new tools for your classes, this is the book you need to turn every scene into an opportunity for learning and expression.

Mothers

Mothers is a bold theatrical comedy that merges the sharp wit of drag performance with the depth of contemporary playwriting. Structured as a series of dynamic, fast-paced scenes, the play explores the neuroses, joys, and dilemmas of motherhood through outrageous humor, irony, and intelligent dialogue.

Theater With Children

Designed for theater teachers and instructors, this book offers a hands-on approach to theater pedagogy, perfect for both classroom settings and extracurricular programs for children and young people in fourth through sixth grades.

Each lesson is thoughtfully crafted with a Scene, Debate, and Workshop, giving students the chance to dive into theater through performance, meaningful discussions, and interactive activities. Plus, with six unique theater games, complete with easy-to-follow instructions, this resource provides everything educators need to inspire creativity, critical thinking, and self-reflection.

Transform your lessons with this essential guide that goes beyond performance—it’s about helping students discover their roles within social groups, reflect on the impact of their actions, and explore personal motivations and responsibilities. With a focus on personal and social growth, this book is a must-have for any teacher or instructor looking to make theater a transformative tool for learning and self-expression.

“Why do I prefer wine over TV trash?

Simple — if I’m gonna fry my brain,

I’d rather do it with a bit of style

and sophistication.”