Kara Brody is a performer, educator, arts administrator, and collaborator working in movement arts. With a practice centered-around community-driven spaces, her work is grounded by the desire to create connection. Kara often works with live performance and collaboration through long-term developmental processes. As an ensemble member with Lucky Plush Productions, she has originated roles in works that have toured extensively throughout the US with the support of competitive awards from National Dance Project, National Theater Project, and NEA Art Works. Additionally, Kara collaborates as a devising team member and performer for The Fly Honey Show. Kara was a founding member of Chicago Dances with The Cambrians and developed three shows representing Chicago’s diverse dance scene. Most recent projects include Knockout, a collaboration with Erin Kilmurray supported by the Embodied Research Project; work around, a dance series curation at Steppenwolf 1700 Theatre; as well as works with Faye Driscoll, Chris Masters Dance, Danceable Projects, and Khecari. Kara holds a BFA in Dance from Wayne State University.
Working with students of all levels, Kara has taught weekly classes at COMMON Conservatory, The Joffrey Academy, Visceral Dance Center, Chicago Movement Collective, Dovetail Studios, and Lucky Plush Productions’ Community Class. She has also been a guest teacher at Rutgers University, Northern Illinois University, and at The University of Chicago. Through Lucky Plush Productions, Kara has led workshops at The Kennedy Center, Sonoma State University, Hamilton College, and The Dance Center of Columbia College. She has taught intensive workshops for The Cambrians, Hedwig Dances, Young Dancer’s Initiative, and Brighton Dance Festival. Kara will be an adjunct Lecturer at The University of Chicago's Theater and Performance Study Program in Fall 2023.