Chicago experimental theatre director, writer, and guest artist – Chris Garcia Peak

selected productions

directed by Chris Garcia Peak

Productions

Chris Garcia Peak creates visually driven, ensemble-based, and process-centered theatre. His directing work includes experimental productions, devised collaborations, new plays, and contemporary adaptations presented through Cock and Bull Arts, Sessions, and academic institutions.

Lecherous Honey by Megan Breen, Directed by Chris Garcia Peak, Gunder Mansion, Chicago, photos By John Jennings & Janie Killips
Close-up of performers amid antique décor in ‘Lecherous Honey,’ site-specific Chicago production
Close-up of performers amid antique décor in ‘Lecherous Honey,’ site-specific Chicago production
Close-up of performers and puppet design in ‘Lecherous Honey,’ site-specific Chicago production
Close-up of performers amid antique décor in ‘Lecherous Honey,’ site-specific Chicago production
Victorian-era tableau from ‘Lecherous Honey,’ immersive Ibsen adaptation at Gunder Mansion, Chicago.
Close-up of performers in ‘Lecherous Honey,’ site-specific Chicago production
Close-up of performers amid antique décor in ‘Lecherous Honey,’ site-specific Chicago production.
Close-up of performers amid antique décor in ‘Lecherous Honey,’ site-specific Chicago production.
Close-up of performers amid antique décor in ‘Lecherous Honey,’ site-specific Chicago production.
Close-up of performers and reviews ‘Lecherous Honey,’ site-specific Chicago production
Close-up of performers amid antique décor in ‘Lecherous Honey,’ site-specific Chicago production.
A man wearing a black costume and a geometric mask is leaning in and posing playfully with a person dressed in a dark outfit. Close-up of performers amid antique décor in ‘Lecherous Honey,’ site-specific Chicago production
Close-up of performers amid antique décor in ‘Lecherous Honey,’ site-specific Chicago production
Person wearing a geometric, animal-shaped mask covering their face, holding their hands near the mask, in a black and white photo. Mask Design Lecherous Honey by Cock and Bull
Black and White photo of Lecherous Honey and mask design at Gunder House
The Boy Who Hates Everything , directed by Chris Garcia Peak, Hope College, AACT Outstanding Devised Piece, Distinguished Director Award
Ensemble mid-song in ‘The Boy Who Hates Everything,’ devised musical at Hope College
Ensemble mid-song in ‘The Boy Who Hates Everything,’ devised musical at Hope College
Ensemble mid-song in ‘The Boy Who Hates Everything,’ devised musical at Hope College
Lead actor reacts center stage in ‘The Boy Who Hates Everything,’ production at Hope College winner of KCACTF National Outstanding Devised Theatre Award
Ensemble mid-song in ‘The Boy Who Hates Everything,’ devised musical at Hope College.
Ensemble mid-song in ‘The Boy Who Hates Everything,’ devised musical at Hope College.
Ensemble mid-song in ‘The Boy Who Hates Everything,’ devised musical at Hope College.
Ensemble mid-song in ‘The Boy Who Hates Everything,’ devised musical at Hope College.
Ensemble mid-song in ‘The Boy Who Hates Everything,’ devised musical at Hope College.
Voyage, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, Chopin Theatre, Chicago, IL
Actor in Victorian costume for Voyage at Chopin Theatre
A woman dressed in a black costume with a large feathered hat sitting on a red velvet sofa in a dimly lit room, next to a small table with a vase of pink and white flowers. Costume Design for Voyage at The Chopin Theatre
Performer bathed in blue light during ‘Voyage,’ multimedia Chicago production.
A theatrical scene with four people in elaborate costumes on a darkened stage, one of whom is reclining while others lean on and support her. Photography for Voyage at The Chopin Theatre
Puppetry and projection blend in ‘Voyage’ at the Chopin Theatre, directed by Chris Garcia Peak
Ensemble of ‘Voyage’ at the Chopin Theatre
Rehearsal of workshop production of ‘Voyage’ at the Chopin Theatre
A dramatic scene with three people in a bar or lounge. One person is lying on a leather couch, dressed in a gray suit, appearing to be unconscious. A woman with blond, curly hair and large sunglasses, dressed in black with a fur collar, is touching t
A scene from the play 'Cock and Bull' shows a woman with short hair performing with her arms outstretched in front of her. Behind her, a person in glasses and dark clothing plays a piano, illuminated in blue light. The background features quotes prai
A woman with curly hair, dressed in a vintage cream blouse, appears angry or intense as she confronts a person dressed as the Beast, who has fur-covered face, large ears, and wears an ornate jacket. The scene is dimly lit and set indoors with wooden
A man and woman in vintage-style attire and sunglasses stand close together in a dimly lit room, with a background featuring a projection of a woman wearing sunglasses on a screen and a vintage sofa.
A man wearing sunglasses and a suit holding a microphone, standing in a dimly lit room with chairs and a table in the background.
Theater stage with a person sitting on a bed, holding a pot, surrounded by scattered paper. A Christmas tree made of paper is on the left, and large shadow of a person with raised arms is projected on the back wall. Microphone stands are on both side
A scene from a puppet show with four puppeteers and a woman at a table, controlling puppets, in a winter-themed set with snow and pine trees.
Two actors sit at a table with a lantern, with a colorful blanket in the background. One actor, with a curly wig and makeup, is dressed in dark clothing. The other actor, with a patchwork patterned headscarf and a fur-collared coat, is leaning toward
Voolf, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, Berger Cultural Center
A person wearing a wide-brim hat, large sunglasses, a fur-trimmed red jacket, and maroon gloves, holding a cigarette in a fashionable pose.
A woman with white, wild hair sitting on a bed, holding knitting needles and a long piece of pink knitted fabric, with a backdrop of scenery projected on the wall behind her.
Two people wearing black shirts, black gloves, and black hats with feathers are practicing puppet theater with large hand puppets in the shape of wolves, holding the puppets in front of a mirror in a room with lockers and laundry machines.
A person kneeling with one hand on a textured blue wall, creating a shadow with their hand in front of them.
Two individuals dressed in elaborate vintage costumes, with a backdrop of dark curtains, surrounded by baskets of apples and grapes, and colorful fabrics with feathers.
Group of five actors in theatrical costumes performing on stage, with a dark backdrop and drapery.
Woman wearing large sunglasses, a fur coat, and holding a cigarette to her head, with smoke rising, in a dimly lit setting.
Two individuals dressed in elaborate costumes with animal masks, standing close together against a black and white tree branch background.
Two women, one dressed in dark purple and the other in a large red dress with a matching red wig, are on stage with the woman in purple leaning over a bed to hold the hand of the woman in red.
Woman with elaborate platinum blonde wig, decorated with a small bird and nest on top, wearing pearl earrings and a faux fur coat, facing side profile against a dark background.
A man dressed in winter clothing with a fur collar, talking to a woman dressed as an old lady with white hair, gothic makeup, and wearing a dark dress with a pearl necklace, holding a slice of layered cake. They are sitting indoors at a table with a
A person with a surprised expression, wearing a black wig and contact lenses, holding a vintage lantern, in a dark setting.
Two men are on a stage with blue patterned walls, one is standing behind the other and holding a ship's steering wheel. The man in front is dressed casually in a striped shirt and shorts, while the man behind is dressed in a suit and smoking a pipe.
Woman in vintage dress and gloves holding a pogo stick, standing in a retro-themed room with blue wallpaper and mirrors, with a man in uniform seen in reflection.
The scene depicts mannequins dressed in vintage clothing in a decorated room with paintings and mirrors, resembling a theatrical or museum display.
Titanic by Christopher Durang, Directed by Chris Garcia Peak, Athenaeum Theatre, Chicago, IL
A woman with blonde hair wearing a pink hat and striped shirt holding a blue umbrella and a tray with slices of bread in a room with dark walls, framed pictures, and a chandelier.
Two performers in vintage costumes, one in a white nurse outfit with a sailor hat and the other in a white dress with a large tulle hat, lying inside a large lifebuoy with the word 'hydro' visible, surrounded by blue fabric.
Scene with mannequins dressed in vintage clothing, including a woman on a table with a dress and hat, a shirtless woman with a life preserver, and a man in a suit, with framed paintings on the walls and a chandelier overhead.
Three people in costumes and makeup posing on stage with a red curtain background, appearing to be performers.
A group of people inside a small, enclosed space with glass walls, gathered around in conversation and seated. Some are holding drinks, and there is a decorative tree branch on the ceiling.
Person wearing a leopard print coat and a matching headscarf standing in front of a dark projection screen with a film scene displaying three people, one sitting, one standing with their back to the camera, and a close-up of a face on the right.
Person wearing a black hat, large glasses, a bowtie, and a suit, with a dark background and blue lighting.
Two women performing a theatrical scene on a sandy stage with rocks, flowers, and bottles in the foreground.
People gathered outside a storefront window, with some seated inside and others standing outside on the sidewalk at night.
Rocky Horror Show, Chicago, IL
A scene with several people inside a dimly lit room with red lighting. Some individuals are standing, while one woman is sitting on a chair. There are red flower petals scattered on the floor, and a person in the background playing a musical instrume
Actor Lisa Joyce and Leslie Kies in stark side-light from ‘Dracula,’ Mary Arrchie Theatre.
Three young people on stage, two females and one male, engaged in an intense conversation or argument, with the male holding the females’ shoulders, black background, dramatic stage lighting.
Yerma, Viaduct Theatre, Chicago
A woman dressed as a pirate with a black hat and coat, holding up two fingers, standing in front of children playing with a large red and yellow fabric parachute in an indoor setting.
Four women dressed in vintage clothing and aprons, wearing masks and holding brooms, performing on stage.
Desdomana by Paula Vogel
Three actors in colorful costumes perform on stage with a red curtain backdrop, one sitting in a vintage stroller, another sitting on their lap, and a third standing nearby holding a flower.
The image shows a theatrical stage with four actors dressed in Victorian-style costumes, performing in a play. The stage has a two-level set with red curtains, vintage props, and a backdrop resembling an old brick building.
Person holding a large, exaggerated mask of a woman's face with curly hair in a dimly lit room, with two other people in costume in the background.
Dracula by Mac Wellman, Mary Archie Theatre, Chicago, IL
The image shows a small theatrical stage with five performers. One woman stands in front, holding a microphone, wearing dark clothing and looking at the camera. Three women are seated on the stage, two on a lower level and one on an upper platform, d
Catastrophe by Samuel Beckett,
Group of performers dressed in colorful and elaborate costumes on a dark, shiny stage, possibly from a theatrical or circus production.
Three women wearing black dresses and fishnet stockings, with bright-colored wigs—red, yellow, and green hair—posing in front of a shiny black backdrop.
Axe Lizzie, Prop Theatre, Chicago, IL
A man pouring a drink on a woman's head during a stage performance with drawings hanging above.
The Posession of Alice, Prop Theatre, Chicago
Two people in an intimate moment, with one person kissing the other's cheek. The person being kissed has pink hair and colorful makeup, and appears to be smiling. In the background, a man with a mustache, beard, and hat watches.
Performer on stage wearing a bright blue dress, leopard print pants, black gloves, and pink hair accessories, holding a microphone.
Five women dressed in colorful, theatrical costumes with vibrant hairstyles and makeup posing in front of a shiny black curtain.
Performers on stage dressed in colorful costumes, with a pink curtain backdrop and patterned lighting, during a theatrical or dance performance.
wordplay meets flirtation in ‘The Rover’ by Aphra Behn—ISU production
wordplay meets flirtation in ‘The Rover’ by Aphra Behn—ISU production
Actor Kristen King ‘The Rover’ by Aphra Behn—ISU production
Original Recipe by Rachel Bykowski, DePaul University
A man emerging from a hole in the floor with steam or smoke around him, on a tiled surface.
Shotgun Wedding, Collision Theatre, American Pastime, Chicago, IL
A woman performing a comedic act on stage in front of an audience at a small venue.
The Rover by Aphra Behn, Illinois State University
Scene from Paula Vogel’s ‘Desdemona’—three women in charged confrontation
A theatrical performance with eight actors on stage, some seated and some standing, with a woman reading from a script in the foreground, set in a room with minimal decor.
The Legend of Ginger Bred, Gorilla Tango Theatre Chicago, IL

Work With Chris
For freelance directing, guest artist opportunities, university residencies, or new play development inquiries, please visit the Contact page.

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