Elena Gatilova’s interdisciplinary career began in Crimea at just four years old, where as a rhythmic gymnast she quickly earned international recognition as a five-time national champion, achievements that soon launched her into a global career in dance and aerial performance.

In 2002, Cirque du Soleil invited Elena to join the opening cast of their provocative Las Vegas production Zumanity, where as a principal acrobatic character and lead dancer, Elena performed in more than 2,500 shows, appeared in Playboy, Vanity Fair, on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, on Last Call with Carson Daly, and in the documentary film Cirque du Soleil: Lovesick (Sony Pictures).

Elena has shared artistic spaces with global icons including Cher, designer Thierry Mugler, photographer David LaChapelle, and choreographer Bill Goodson. She charmed viewers on more than 40 episodes of the popular Italian TV show Chiambretti Night. In Macau, Elena shared the stage with Dita Von Teese in Franco Dragnone’s Taboo. In 2017 Elena joined the the international tour of Circus 1903: The Golden Age of Circus, from the creators of the hit Broadway show The Illusionists. More than once Elena has had the distinctive honor to perform for world leaders including the British royal family at in London’s prestigious 2018 Royal Variety Performance, and among others, President Biden and Prime Minister Trudeau at the 2022 Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles.

In addition to starring in many productions of Teatro ZinZanni in Seattle, San Francisco and Chicago, Elena served off-stage as artistic producer for this 25th anniversary celebration.