After years of working separately, Anat Katz and Erez Maayan joined forces in 2009 to collaborate on the creation of an array of dance, theatre, and performance art productions.

 

Justkatzit Dance Theatre has a reputation for taking a strict movement language that is sharp and mechanical, clean, uniform, and almost mathematical, and combining it with a dissolution and disintegration of movement to the verge of chaos, all while taking an ironic and comedic view of the entire process. The theatre places particular emphasis on the here and now of the performance by creating an unmediated interaction with the audience. The company’s performances begin as the crowd enters the theatre, and conclude with audience members leaving the theatre, with the performance constantly revolving around the audience.

 

In addition, Anat and Erez incorporate performance theories into their work and delve into the academic aspect, alongside the formal narrative aspect of the performance. Anat has an M.A. and Erez is writing his PhD dissertation; both focus on performance theories at Tel Aviv University. They collaborate with artists from various fields, primarily those in the realms of music, ceramics, performance, video art, costumes, and others; their work expresses the vast experience of combining arts in order to create a unique stage event. Their latest production, According to Law, was originally staged in 2014 and has been performed successfully more than fifty times, gaining the praise of crowds and critics alike.

 

The Theatre’s other productions have been staged in different frameworks and festivals over the years, in Israel and around the world. Katz and Maayan also write regularly for Ma’akaf magazine; in addition to their joint work, they work individually in different fields of interest. Their work has been presented in different festivals in Israel, including Intimidance in 2006, 2010, 2011; the Interdisciplinary Arena in 2007, 2009, 2012; Shades of Dance in 2005; Acco Festival of Alternative Israeli Theatre in 2006, 2011, 2012, and in an array of additional frameworks in Israel. In addition, their work has been staged in various festivals and compeititons around the world, including: 2012 Performance Festival in Belgium; 2010 No Ballet Festival in Germany; 2009 Side by Side Festival in Germany, where it won first prize; 2009 Performance Festival in South Korea; 2010 Up the Wall Festival in England, and the 2005 Hannover Choreography Competition in Germany.