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Dance in Israel

Critical junctures in spectator / performer interactions in Tetris by Noah Dar

The Israeli choreographer Noah Dar and the plastic artist Nati Shamia-Ofer collaborate in Tetris, a dance that was ordered in 2006 by the Akko Festival of Alternative Theatre in Israel (The dance was awarded for its innovation). The dialogue between the artists generates a unique performance space in which the viewers observe the occurrence from the place where the dancers' feet meet the dancing floor. Shamia-Ofer created for this dance a special structure - a raised wooden floor, in which openings were made. The viewers stand under that surface, insert their heads through the openings and watch the dance.

Photo: Tamar Lam

Lia Schubert: dancing in Israel

In 1968 Lia (Lea) Schubert arrived in Israel, after having served for eleven years as Artistic Director of the Ballet Academy in Stockholm. She decided to settle in the artists' village in Ein Hod establishing a school as well as a dance company in Haifa. The school attracted many students, young people and adults, dance fans and professionals, dancers and artists of various fields. All were attracted to her non-compromising professional attitude, the variety of dance styles that were taught and the excellent teachers who came from all over the world in order to teach thanks to Lia's professional ties.

Dance Today 17 - Table of Content

Dance Today 17 (May 2010) deals with dance education issues in formal and informal frameworks in Israel. Among the other articles on can find one on 20 years to the "Curtain Up" (1998-2009) and an interview with Gila Toledano.

Dance Today - The Dance Magazine of Israel

The magazine Dance Today, published twice a year reflects the work and achievements of the rich and prosperous dance scene in Israel. It serves as a platform for qualitative writing on dance in Israel with relationships to the international dance scene.

Dance Today is supported by Israel's Ministry of Culture, its publisher is Tmuna Theatre, and the editors are Dr. Henia Rottenberg and Dr. Ruth Eshel.

Issue 16 (December 2009) deals with various aspects and meanings of tension that stretch out between centre and periphery. The English translated article is "Fringe's at the Center: Tetris by Noa Dar" by Henia Rottenberg.

To purchase a copy please contact Tmuna Theatre, Tel: 03-5629462

Concert Dance in Israel

Israel is a society of Jewish immigrants who have returned to their ancient biblical homeland. It is also a complex society made up of people of varied cultures and ideologies, enduring changing economic and political situations. For the past eighty years, Israeli dancers have reflected and helped to shape the internal dialogues of Israeli life and contributed to a global exchange of dance ideas, especially with modern dancers from Europe and America.

Classical Ballet – Israeli Dance’s Stepson

Since artistic dance began in Israel, classical ballet has been at the margins of artistic activity and creation. There are several established dance companies in Israel, but only one of classical ballet – The Israel Ballet. Unlike modern dance, where fringe activities thrive, Israeli classical ballet has no fringe activities whatsoever. The Israeli Ballet is a good dance company, appearing in full halls despite the difficult conditions in which it works – one rehearsal hall and no accompanying school. There are some masterpieces by George Balanchine in the company’s repertoire, but most of its works are by Berta Yampolsky. Unlike Rami Be’er or Ohad Naharin, who are likewise the nearly sole creators in their companies, Yampolsky’s works are not appreciated internationally to the same extent. The main problem, however, is that the company did not succeed in raising a new generation of Israeli creators. The only Israeli creator in The Israel Ballet is the company’s Director, Berta Yampolsky.