Sara Zalek

Sara Zalek is fierce advocate and business instigator for artists. They currently produce and curate performance related to Butoh and Avant-Garde art making, in an attempt to share an embodied imagination. Zalek has collaborated in hundreds of unique performance works and creates solo performance installations. Their work has been featured at venues nationally, including Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, Hamlin Park, Links Hall, Defibrillator Gallery, Co-Prosperity Sphere, Dance Theatre Workshop (NY), Merce Cunningham Studio (NY), Headwaters Theater (PDX), and more. Most recently selected as an Esteemed Artist by The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), they have also received CAAP grants in 2007 and 2009 for performance works, DCASE and Cheney grants for works in 2014, 2016 and 2017. Zalek has been a Chicago Dancemakers Forum Lab Artist, has worked with High Concept Labs, Pentacle, Out of Site Chicago, DCASE, and 3Arts to continue their mission of cross-pollinating audiences, artistic collaborations, and performance in the public realm. They have produced critically acclaimed Post-Butoh Festivals in 2104, 2015, 2017, and 2019 and currently curate Hot Mess! at Elastic Arts in Chicago.