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

An immersive re-imagining of Ibsen's Ghosts by Megan Breen, staged promenade-style at the Berger Park Gunder Mansion. "Fans of devised theatre should flock to this experimental, creative and visually intriguing production" — Chicago Stage Standard.

Scene from Lecherous Honey by Megan Breen, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, produced at the Gunder Mansion in Chicago, featuring Meg Elliott, Sarah Hecht, Noah Lepawsky, and Bella Coehlo.
Costume and lighting design in Lecherous Honey at Gunder Mansion
Noah Lepawsky in Lecherous Honey at Gunder Mansion
Scene from Lecherous Honey by Megan Breen, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, featuring Meg Elliott and Noah Lepawsky
Lecherous Honey by Megan Breen, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, press reviews
Promotional photo Lecherous Honey at Gunder Mansion
Scene from Lecherous Honey by Megan Breen, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, produced at the Gunder Mansion in Chicago, featuring Meg Bella Coehlo.
Scene from Lecherous Honey by Megan Breen, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, produced at the Gunder Mansion in Chicago, Mask design by Chris Garcia Peak
Scene from Lecherous Honey by Megan Breen, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, produced at the Gunder Mansion in Chicago featuring Sarah Hecht
Meg Elliott and Sarah Hecth in Lecherous Honey, Cock and Bull Arts, Chicago
Cast ensemble scene, Lecherous Honey, directed by Chris Garcia Peak
Scene from Lecherous Honey by Megan Breen, directed by Chris Garcia Peak featuring Noah Lepawsky
lighting design in Lecherous Honey at Gunder Mansion
Puppet design by Chris Garcia Peak from Lecherous Honey, adapted by Megan Breen.
Cast ensemble scene, Lecherous Honey, directed by Chris Garcia Peak
Scene from Lecherous Honey by Megan Breen, directed by Chris Garcia Peak

VOYAGE

An original work devised by Cock and Bull Arts and directed by Chris Garcia Peak, staged at the Chopin Theatre. Puppet design by Stephanie Diaz, costume design by Chris Garcia Peak. "Chris Garcia Peak brings skill to its execution... Voyage is beautifully realized. When it's over you feel like you've woken from a dream" — New City Stage.

Scene from Voyage, devised by Cock and Bull Arts and directed by Chris Garcia Peak, featuring Tuckie White, Kristen King, Meg Elliott, Noah Lepawsky, and Casey Morris, with costume design by Chris Garcia Peak.
Scene from Voyage, devised by Cock and Bull Arts and directed by Chris Garcia Peak, featuring Meg Elliott costume design by Chris Garcia Peak.
Scene from Voyage, devised by Cock and Bull Arts and directed by Chris Garcia Peak hat design by Chris Garcia Peak, Kristen King
Scene from Voyage, devised by Cock and Bull Arts and directed by Chris Garcia Peak, featuring Tuckie White
Scene from Voyage, devised by Cock and Bull Arts and directed by Chris Garcia Peak, featuring Tuckie White, Kristen King, Meg Elliott, Noah Lepawsky, and Casey Morris, with costume design by Chris Garcia Peak.
Scene from Voyage, devised by Cock and Bull Arts and directed by Chris Garcia Peak, Costume Design by Chris Garcia Peak Puppet Design by Stephanie Diaz
Rehearsal and workshop with Rachel Chavkin from Voyage, devised by Cock and Bull Arts and directed by Chris Garcia Peak
Voyage directed by Chris Garcia Peak at The Chopin Theatre Chicago with Meg Elliott, Tuckie White, Casey Morris, Eddy Karch, NOah Lepawsky sound design by Matthew Reich
Reviews from Voyage, devised by Cock and Bull Arts and directed by Chris Garcia Peak, featuring Tuckie White, Kristen King, Meg Elliott, Noah Lepawsky, and Casey Morris, with costume design by Chris Garcia Peak.
Scene from Voyage, devised by Cock and Bull Arts and directed by Chris Garcia Peak, featuring Tuckie White, Kristen King, Meg Elliott, Noah Lepawsky, and Casey Morris, with costume design by Chris Garcia Peak.
Scene from Voyage, devised by Cock and Bull Arts and directed by Chris Garcia Peak, featuring Noah Lepawsky

The Boy Who Hates Everything

Devised at Hope College with Lyrics and music by Nathan Streifel, this original musical was created through a three-day workshop process before being developed into a full production with puppet design by Jesse Mooney-Bullock. The show was honored at the 2024 Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival with awards for Outstanding Devised Play and Distinguished Director.

The Boy Who Hates Everything directed by Chris Garcia Peak with music and Lyrics by Nathan Streifel puppet Design by Jesse Mooney Bullock
Scene from The Boy Who Hates Everything, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, with words and music by Nathan Streifel, devised at Hope College, featuring puppet design by Jesse Mooney-Bullock, sound and lighting design by Eric Van Tassell, and set design b
Scene from The Boy Who Hates Everything, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, with words and music by Nathan Streifel featuring puppet design by Jesse Mooney-Bullock, sound and lighting design by Eric Van Tassell, and set design by Sotirios Livaditis, winn
Scene from The Boy Who Hates Everything, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, with words and music by Nathan Streifel, devised at Hope College, featuring puppet design by Jesse Mooney-Bullock, sound and lighting design by Eric Van Tassell, and set design b
Scene from The Boy Who Hates Everything, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, with words and music by Nathan Streifel, devised at Hope College, featuring puppet design by Jesse Mooney-Bullock, sound and lighting design by Eric Van Tassell, and set design b
Scene from The Boy Who Hates Everything, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, with words and music by Nathan Streifel available at ENw Play Exchange
Scene from The Boy Who Hates Everything, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, with words and music by Nathan Streifel
Scene from The Boy Who Hates Everything, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, with words and music by Nathan Streifel, devised at Hope College, featuring puppet design by Jesse Mooney-Bullock, sound and lighting design by Eric Van Tassell, and set design b
Scene from The Boy Who Hates Everything, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, with words and music by Nathan Streifel featuring puppet design by Jesse Mooney-Bullock

VOOLF

A devised, puppetry-driven reimagining of Peter and the Wolf, directed by Chris Garcia Peak with Cock and Bull Arts, featuring Tuckie White, Eddy Karch, Sarah Hecht, Kristen King, and Noah Lepawsky. The production was presented at the Berger Park Gunder Mansion and the Chicago Cultural Center, blending live puppetry, movement, and design into an experimental absurdist fairytale.

Scene from Voolf, directed by Chris Garcia Peak and devised by Cock and Bull Arts, featuring Tuckie White, Eddy Karch, Sarah Hecht, and Kristen King, produced in Chicago at the Gunder Mansion.
Scene from Voolf, directed by Chris Garcia Peak and devised by Cock and Bull Arts, featuring Tuckie White, Eddy Karch
Scene from Voolf, directed by Chris Garcia Peak Chicago Cultural Center
Scene from Voolf, directed by Chris Garcia Peak Puppet Design by Rachel Watson
Scene from Voolf, directed by Chris Garcia Peak and devised by Cock and Bull Arts
Rehearsal from Voolf, directed by Chris Garcia Peak and devised by Cock and Bull Arts featuring Eddy Karch
Scene from Voolf, directed by Chris Garcia Peak and devised by Cock and Bull Arts, featuring Tuckie White, Eddy Karch, Sarah Hecht, and Kristen King, produced in Chicago at the Gunder Mansion. Photo Styling by Heinrich Haley
Scene from Voolf, directed by Chris Garcia Peak and devised by Cock and Bull Arts, featuring Sarah Hecht Costume & Wig Design By Chris Garcia Peak
Scene from Peter the Wolf at Chicago Cultural Center by Cock and Bull Arts
Scene from Voolf, directed by Chris Garcia Peak and devised by Cock and Bull Arts, featuring Tuckie White, Eddy Karch, Sarah Hecht, and Kristen King, produced in Chicago at the Gunder Mansion. Styling by Heinrich Haley
Voolf directed By Chris Garcia Peak at Chicago Cultural Center with Noah Lepawsky, Eddy Karch, Sarah Hecth, Tuckie WHite
Scene from Voolf, directed by Chris Garcia Peak and devised by Cock and Bull Arts, featuring Sarah Hecht,
Scene from Voolf, directed by Chris Garcia Peak
Scene from Voolf, directed by Chris Garcia Peak and devised by Cock and Bull Arts, featuring Tuckie White, Eddy Karch, Sarah Hecht, and Kristen King, produced in Chicago at the Gunder Mansion.
Scene from Voolf, directed by Chris Garcia Peak and devised by Cock and Bull Arts, featuring Tuckie White, Eddy Karch, Sarah Hecht, and Kristen King,
Voolf directed By Chris Garcia Peak at Chicago Cultural Center
Scene from Voolf, directed by Chris Garcia Peak and devised by Cock and Bull Arts,
Scene from Voolf, directed by Chris Garcia Peak and devised by Cock and Bull Arts, featuring Tuckie White, Eddy Karch, Sarah Hecht, and Kristen King, produced in Chicago at the Gunder Mansion.

TITANIC by Christopher Durang

Christopher Durang's dark comedy, directed by Chris Garcia Peak and produced at the Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago, featuring Sarah Hecht and Noah Lepawsky. "With a slapstick opening, candy coated costuming and several demented song interludes, director Chris Garcia Peak holds everything together with feverish assurance" — Sheridan Road Magazine.

Scene from Titanic by Christopher Durang, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, featuring Sarah Hecht and Noah Lepawsky, produced at the Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago
Scene from Titanic by Christopher Durang, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, featuring Sarah Hecht produced at the Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago
Scene from Titanic by Christopher Durang, directed by Chris Garcia Peak produced at the Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago.
Scene from Titanic by Christopher Durang, directed by Chris Garcia Peak in Chicago
Scene from Titanic by Christopher Durang, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, costume design by Chris Garcia Peak Set Design by Matt Olson, Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago
Scene from Titanic by Christopher Durang, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, featuring Sarah Hecht and Noah Lepawsky, produced at the Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago
Scene from Titanic by Christopher Durang, directed by Chris Garcia Peak

ROcky Horror Show

Directed by Chris Garcia Peak at the Dorothy Menker Theatre, this staging of the cult classic musical leaned into its camp, spectacle, and audience-participation roots with bold costume and design choices.

Rocky Horror Show at Dorothy Menker Theatre
Ensemble and Chorus of Rocky Horror Show Directed by Chris Garcia Peak at Dorothy Menker Theatre, Music Direction by Nick Sula
Rocky Horror Show directed by Chris Garcia Peak
Rocky Horror Show at Dorothy Menker Theatre, Palos, Hills, IL
Suzie Castro in Rocky Horror Show
Rocky Horror Show at Dorothy Menker Theater directed by Chris Garcia Peak

AXE LIZZIE

A puppetry-driven dark comedy directed by Chris Garcia Peak for Cock and Bull Arts at Prop Theatre, featuring Tuckie White and Kristen King. "Axe Lizzie's creepy spectacle mixes song, puppetry, and rich design elements — these splatter fests couldn't be more scrumptious" — The Chicago Reader.

Kristen King as Lizzie Borden in black mourning dress Costume design by Lindsey Pate , Axe Lizzie, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, Prop Theatre
Carlos Diaz and Tuckie White with Katie Strosahl Johnson Axe Lizzie, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, Prop Theatre
Kristen King and Tuckie White Axe Lizzie by Cock and Bull Arts styling by Heinrich Haley
Carlos Diaz and Tuckie White Axe Lizzie directed by Chris Garcia Peak
Axe Lizzie featuring Tuckie White at PRop Theatre created by Cock and Bull Arts and Chris Garcia Peak
Jake Carr as Emma in Axe Lizzie at Prop Theatre
Sarah Hecht, Kristen King set design by Matt Olsen and James Vincent Ogden
Directed by Chris Garcia Peak for Cock and Bull Arts at Prop Theatre, featuring Kristen King and Tuckie White, with Jake Carr inside the puppet costume. Costume design by Lindsey Pate, scenic design by Matt Olson and James Ogden Vincent. Drawing ins
A theatrical scene with a woman singing into a microphone, four other actors on stage in dark costumes, and a set resembling an old house interior with red curtains and vintage furniture, including a piano and a bookshelf.
Axe Lizzie Directed by Chris Garcia Peak for Cock and Bull Arts at Prop Theatre, featuring Kristen King and Tuckie White, with Jake Carr inside the puppet costume. Costume design by Lindsey Pate, scenic design by Matt Olson and James Ogden Vincent.

DRACULA

Mac Wellman’s stylized adaptation of the classic tale, directed by Chris Garcia Peak for Collision Theatre and produced at National Pastime Theatre in Chicago. Featuring Eddie Jordan, Lisa Joyce, Mary Grill, and Sarah Charmoli, the production leaned into Wellman’s fragmented, poetic language to build an atmospheric, unsettling staging of the familiar story.

Mac Wellman's Dracula ensemble with Sarah Charmoli and Desmond Borges Directed by Chris Garcia Peak for Collision Theatre
Mac Wellman's Dracula ensemble with Sarah Charmoli and Desmond Borges Directed by Chris Garcia Peak for Collision Theatre at Mary Archie Theatre
Mac Wellman's Dracula ensemble with Sarah Charmoli and Desmond Borges Directed by Chris Garcia Peak for Collision Theatre at Mary Archie Theatre
Mac Wellman's Dracula ensemble with Sarah Charmoli and Mary Grill Directed by Chris Garcia Peak for Collision Theatre
Mary Grill in Mac Wellman's Dracula ensemble with Kerri Auken and Desmond Borges Directed by Chris Garcia Peak for Collision Theatre
Eddie Jordan in Dracula At Mary Archie Theatre directed by Chris Garcia Peak

Additional productions

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.
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.
Actor Kristen King ‘The Rover’ by Aphra BehnScene from The Rover, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, produced at Illinois State University.
Dracula by Mac Wellman Directed by Chris Garcia PEak
People gathered outside a storefront window, with some seated inside and others standing outside on the sidewalk at night.
Shakespeare As you LIke It Directed by Chris Garcia Peak
wordplay meets flirtation in ‘The Rover’ by Aphra Behn—ISU production
Scene from The Rover, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, produced at Illinois State University.
Voolf directed By Chris Garcia Peak at Chicago Cultural Center with Noah Lepawsky, Eddy Karch, Sarah Hecth
Desdomana by Paula Vogel
Scene from The Rover, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, produced at Illinois State University.
Lisa Joyce in Dracula at Atheneum Theatre directed by Chris Garcia Peak
wordplay meets flirtation in ‘The Rover’ by Aphra Behn—ISU production
Becket Festival
Sessions featuring Caitlin Baucom
Dracula by Mac Wellman Directed by Chris Garcia PEak
Voyage directed by Chris Garcia Peak with Kristen King and Noah Lepawsky and Tuckie White
Axe Lizzie featuring Tuckie White and Kristen King directed by Chris Garcia Peak in Chicago at Prop Theatre for Cock and Bull Arts
Electricidad Directed by Henry Godinez Asst Director Chris Garcia Peak
The Legend of Ginger Bred, Gorilla Tango Theatre Chicago, IL directed by Chris Garcia Peak
Sessions festival live puppetry directed by chris garcia peak
Scene from Paula Vogel’s ‘Desdemona’—three women in charged confrontation
Scene from The Rover, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, produced at Illinois State University.
Original Recipe by Rachel Bykowski, DePaul University
Scene from Shotgun Wedding, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, devised by Collision Theatre and Chris Garcia Peak, produced at National Pastime Theatre in Chicago.
Sad Girl directed by Chris Garcia Peak for Sessions Festival Cock and Bull Arts with Noah Lepawsky and Eddy Karch
Sessions Festival SAD Girl Direced by Chris Garcia Peak
Scene from Shotgun Wedding, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, devised by Collision Theatre and Chris Garcia Peak, produced at National Pastime Theatre in Chicago.
Scene from The Rover, directed by Chris Garcia Peak, produced at Illinois State University.

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

Contact Chris