Hi, I'm Maria João Almeida, a writer and narrative development specialist with a background in acting and screenwriting. I focus on voice, character and emotional arcs, and I enjoy shaping ideas into clear, engaging stories for editorial and screen formats. I work one-to-one and with groups in creative and educational settings to develop ideas, texts and narrative clarity. I'm currently expanding into ghostwriting and collaborative storytelling, and I'm open to partnering with clients at early or exploratory stages of writing.

Maria João Almeida

Hi, I'm Maria João Almeida, a writer and narrative development specialist with a background in acting and screenwriting. I focus on voice, character and emotional arcs, and I enjoy shaping ideas into clear, engaging stories for editorial and screen formats. I work one-to-one and with groups in creative and educational settings to develop ideas, texts and narrative clarity. I'm currently expanding into ghostwriting and collaborative storytelling, and I'm open to partnering with clients at early or exploratory stages of writing.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Maria João Almeida, a writer and narrative development specialist with a background in acting and screenwriting. I focus on voice, character and emotional arcs, and I enjoy shaping ideas into clear, engaging stories for editorial and screen formats. I work one-to-one and with groups in creative and educational settings to develop ideas, texts and narrative clarity.

I’m currently expanding into ghostwriting and collaborative storytelling, and I’m open to partnering with clients at early or exploratory stages of writing.

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Language

Portuguese
Fluent
English
Fluent

Work Experience

Freelance Writer & Screenwriter at Self-employed
January 1, 2018 - Present
Author of Lunário Ocasional, a personal Substack newsletter featuring essays, reflections and cultural commentary. Wrote and developed an original TV pilot as the first step of a planned drama series. Screenwriter for end-of-year film projects at Let it Happen Actores, including a feature-length anthology of interconnected narratives. Contributor to Portuguese publications with essays and opinion pieces on culture, identity and mental health.
Actor (Theatre) at Teatro Ibérico
January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025
Fallen Angels (theatre production) in Lisbon, 2025.
Actor (Theatre) at PLMJ
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
The Odd Couple (Female Version) – staged reading, Lisbon, 2024.
Actor (Theatre) at Teatro Soco
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Macbeth – The Lab Experience, Lisbon, 2022.
Actor (Theatre) at Botanical Gardens
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
A Midsummer Night’s Dream’s Dream, Lisbon, 2022.
Actor (Theatre) at Teatro Soco
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021
Hamlet – The Lab Experience, Lisbon, 2021.
Actor at Palmarium LLC
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
NYC Triptych One (Film), New York, 2023.
Actor at Tusovka Pictures
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021
Sofia (Film), New York, 2021.
Actor at RTP / Mojo
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
A Série (Television), Lisbon, 2020.
Actor at Teatro Ibérico - Fallen Angels
January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025
Stage actor in Fallen Angels, directed by Martim Mequita Guimarães.
Actor at Actor’s Sofa - The Odd Couple / Female Version (reading)
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2024
Reading/staged reading of The Odd Couple - Female Version, produced by Actor’s Sofa.
Actor at The Lab Experience / Teatro Soco
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2022
Macbeth - The Lab Experience; collective creation at Teatro Soco and Padaria do Povo.
Actor at The Lab Experience / Teatro Soco
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2022
Midsummer Night’s Dream’s Dream; directed by Aleta Chappelle, Lisbon Botanical Garden.
Actor at The Lab Experience / Teatro Soco
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2021
Hamlet - The Lab Experience; collective creation at Plantasia.
Actor at Theatre Municipal Amélia Rey Colaço
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2018
Os Gansos, directed by André Nunes.
Actor at Teatro da Cornucópia
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2015
Da Imortalidade, directed by Nuno Nunes.
Actor at NYC Triptych One
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2023
CINEMA credit in NYC Triptych One (Erick Patton) - US.
Actor at 393 Grand Ave
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2023
CINEMA credit in 393 Grand Ave (Maria Dyrby Voigt) - US.
Actor at Sofia
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2021
CINEMA credit in Sofia (Patrick McDermott) - US.
Actor at Ruth
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2017
CINEMA credit in Ruth (António Pinhão Botelho) - PT.
Actor at Eros
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2017
CINEMA credit in Eros (Daniel Azevedo) - PT.
Actor at RTP - A Série
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2020
Television series A Série (Mojo, Sérgio Henriques, Nuno Dias e Bruno Pinhal) - RTP.
Social Media Manager at Paladares Travel
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2024
Editorial content creation and planning; newsletter writing and calendar management; performance tracking and KPI reporting.
Actor at Fallen Angels, Teatro Ibérico
January 1, 2025 - Present
Theatre performer.
Actor at The Odd Couple (Female Version)
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Staged reading at PLMJ, Lisbon.
Actor at Macbeth – The Lab Experience
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Theatre production at Teatro Soco, Lisbon.
Actor at A Midsummer Night’s Dream’s Dream
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Theatre production at Botanical Gardens, Lisbon.
Actor at Hamlet – The Lab Experience
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021
Theatre production at Teatro Soco, Lisbon.

Education

Postgraduate Course in Storytelling at IADE
January 1, 2025 - April 11, 2026
Specialisation in Assistant Directing at FIPCA/FIACINE
January 1, 2024 - April 11, 2026
Conservatory Program in Acting at William Esper Studio, New York
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2021
Professional Acting Training at ACT
January 11, 2030 - April 11, 2026
Workshop at ACT
January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025
Pós-graduação em Storytelling at IADE Creative University
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2025
Especialização em Assistência de Realização at FIPCA/FIACINE
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2021
Programa Conservatório at William Esper Studio, NY
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2017
Curso de Actores at John Frey Studio for Actors
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2016
Workshop at The Creative Process - Tomi Janezic
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2016
Workshop at Physical Theatre - John Mowat
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2016
Workshop at Improvisação - João Pinto Dias
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2016
Workshop at Voz e Corpo - Jorge Parente
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2015
Workshop at Michael Chékhov Technique - Lenard Petit
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2015
Lee Strasberg Method at ACT
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2014
Curso de Actores at ACT TEATRO
January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025
Postgraduate Course in Storytelling at IADE, Lisbon
January 1, 2025 - April 16, 2026
Specialisation in Assistant Directing at FIPCA/FIACINE
January 1, 2024 - April 16, 2026
Conservatory Program in Acting at William Esper Studio, New York
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2021
Professional Acting Training at ACT, Lisbon
January 11, 2030 - April 16, 2026

Qualifications

Postgraduate Course in Storytelling
January 1, 2025 - April 11, 2026
Specialisation in Assistant Directing
January 1, 2024 - April 11, 2026
Conservatory Program in Acting — William Esper Studio
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2021
Professional Acting Training — ACT
January 11, 2030 - April 11, 2026
Lee Strasberg Method
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2014
Postgraduate Course in Storytelling
January 1, 2025 - April 16, 2026
Specialisation in Assistant Directing
January 1, 2024 - April 16, 2026
Conservatory Program in Acting
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2021
Professional Acting Training
January 11, 2030 - April 16, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Other
    paper SKOG — Brand Story, Product Copy & Content Writing

    SKOG is a conceptual jewelry brand created as a portfolio project to showcase narrative-driven copywriting. I developed the brand voice and wrote materials including an About page, product descriptions, social media captions, and a short newsletter — all designed to demonstrate cohesive storytelling and engaging content for a creative brand.

    Note: This brand is fictional and created solely for portfolio purposes.

    paper A Batman in New York

    Excerpt from a short film script exploring the unexpected connection between two completely different people on a random day in Times Square

    paper Essay for World Mental Health World

    This article, written for the Portuguese newspaper 24notícias, is a reflective piece on mental health, resilience, and personal transformation. It demonstrates my ability to handle sensitive topics with empathy, clarity, and a narrative style that engages readers and sparks meaningful conversation.
    Full article available upon request.

    paper The Underestimated Superpower

    his article explores the importance of kindness as a powerful response to the growing hostility and division present in today’s world. Through a mental health lens, it reflects on how small acts of empathy, compassion, and human connection can counterbalance negativity and create healthier communities.

    Written for +JOVEM Magazine, a Portuguese youth-focused publication that highlights social issues, culture, and personal development, the piece invites readers to reconsider kindness not as a weakness, but as a quiet form of strength and resilience.
    Full article available on request.