Johan Petit (1974, Borgerhout) is a Flemish theatre maker, writer, and storyteller. He is co-founder and driving force behind the Antwerp-based collective Martha!tentatief, with which he has been creating distinctive and unconventional performances since 1996.
Petit’s work is known for its direct, disarming narrative style and its keen eye for the extraordinary hidden in everyday life. Within Martha!tentatief, he made a name for himself with productions such as De Zoologie, Klein Jowanneke gaat dood, De snoek van Sjestov, and Hoe te leven. His most recent show, Nu het nog kan (While It’s Still Possible), is a heartfelt tribute to his mother and to life itself. In October 2025, he will premiere his new piece O Superman.
Beyond his own creations, Petit has coached and directed artists including Wim Helsen, Janne Desmet, Maarten Westra Hoekzema, and Jaouad Alloul. He is also the host and driving force behind Waargebeurd, a storytelling afternoon and podcast dedicated to true stories.
