Alexander Zale, also known as J. Zakkai, has had a diverse and accomplished career in the world of theatre. He began his acting career in 1959 with a role in the Living Theatre's production of Jack Gelber's The Connection, which was a major hit. This was followed by performances in Brecht's In the Jungle of Cities and Pirandello's Tonight We Improvise, as well as two European tours with the Living Theatre.
After returning to the United States, Zale became involved with the off-off-Broadway movement, performing at the Judson Poet's Theater and La Mama, where he wrote and presented his first play, Vapors, at the O'Neill Playwrights Conference. He went on to perform at several regional theaters, including the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., and the Manhattan Theatre Club, where he appeared in Sam Shepard's Geography of a Horse Dreamer.
Zale's collaboration with director Andrei Serban led to several notable productions, including Medea, Agamemnon, and The Dybbuk. He also appeared in several productions at La Mama, including Brecht's Caucasian Chalk Circle and Goethe's Faust, Part 1. In addition to his work in theatre, Zale has also appeared in film and television, including roles in Morocco, Ondine, The Disputation, Taking Sides, Flags, and The Cherry Orchard.
Throughout his career, Zale has worked with some of the most renowned directors and playwrights in the industry, including Jack Gelber, Bertolt Brecht, and Sam Shepard. He has performed in a wide range of roles, from classical drama to contemporary plays, and has toured extensively throughout Europe and the United States.
