KATA (2016)
Produced by
Director: Maite Jacobson
Conceived by Theatre Parallax Toronto
Venue
Dancemakers Centre for Creation – Studio #313
Previews
November 9th - 10th, 2016
Run
November 9th, 2016 – November 20th, 2016
Synopsis
surrealist physical performance piece inspired by Antonin Artaud, KATA, explores masculinity through it’s title. A Japanese word describing specific behavioural conditioning that emphasizes the learning and reinforcement of patterns through repetition.
In KATA, four subjects are born into a dystopian world, not unlike our own, where, through the inheritance and perpetuation of long-established masculine expectations, they are bred into perfect soldiers. Observed by an audience of investors, the demands of the war industry and of fellow peers systematically enforce gender norms, hardening these men into products sold to satisfy the needs of external forces. As the product test progresses and the veneer of masculinity cracks, the audience is left asking, “ Is this a sustainable investment?”
KATA combines content and form in a way that merges theatre and performance art. In an attempt to present the unrealistic construction of the “ideal male”, our performers commit their bodies and minds to the exploration of “toxic masculinity”. They suffer through repetitive physical training, sacrifice their personal vices, and work tirelessly to attain physical and mental control. In this process they question their own masculinity, their loyalties to their art, and if this form is worth subscribing to. (theatreparallaxtoronto.com)
Cast
| Anthony Di Feo | Performer |
| Thomas McDevitt | Performer |
| Luke Pieroni | Performer |
| Dylan Shumka-White | Performer |
Creative Team
| Maite Jacobson | Director |
| Luke Pieroni | Set Designer |
| Ross Hammond | Sound Designer |
| Chin Palipane | Lighting Designer |
| Andrew Pieroni | Projection Designer |
Production
| Marie-Claude Valiquet | Stage Manager |
| Kenna Jacobs | Assistant Stage Manager |
| Evan Sandham | Head Technician |
| Karen Knox | Publicity |
| Samantha Hurley | Photography |
