history
Cock and Bull, founded in 2009 by Artistic Director Chris Garcia Peak, is a Chicago-based company producing contemporary and devised theatre, digital art, podcasts, and the Sessions Arts Festival.
Cock and Bull first produced The Legend of Ginger Bred, written and directed by Chris Garcia Peak, and subsequently expanded by producing other contemporary and original pieces like Titanic, Axe Lizzie, The Possession of Alice, and Voolf. Cock and Bull expanded its devising work after receiving a grant from The Driehaus Foundation, which facilitated a transformative workshop led by Tony Award-winning director Rachel Chavkin. Cock and Bull has produced the innovative production Voyage at the Chopin Theatre. Working with playwright Megan Breen, Cock and Bull created the immersive and reimagined version of Ibsen’s classic Lecherous Honey at The Gunder Mansion. The organization has enhanced its Sessions program to feature solo performances, digital artistry, and new play readings at the Defibrillator Gallery.
During the pandemic, Cock and Bull pivoted to launch Sessions/Isolation, an international online art festival that united global artists, dancers, filmmakers, writers, and actors from Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Germany, Israel, and Portugal. This dynamic platform showcased creative responses to the lockdown experience, offering weekly live events and a communal space for artists during the pandemic. Cock and Bull also produced The Children of Nyx, a five-part original podcast series by Noah Lepawsky. Directed by Chris Garcia Peak, designed by Matt Reich, and featuring original music by Stephen Gawrit, this series is now available on Apple Podcasts.
In 2022, the organization premiered the critically acclaimed digital game The Octopus, further solidifying its commitment to innovative storytelling in collaboration with Typeform. The Octopus was a choose-your-own-adventure game featuring actors from Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Germany, and China.
Cock and Bull is now working on developing new work in Chicago.
