I KILLED THE COW Begins Next Week at Chicago Fringe Festival

New York-based theatre collective The Herd will present its one-woman show I KILLED THE COW as part of the 2018 Chicago Fringe Festival. After an extended run in New York City at the United Solo Festival in October 2017, I KILLED THE COW will perform September 1-3 at The Playhouse at Jefferson Park (4766 N Milwaukee Ave.) in Chicago as the third leg on its national tour.

I KILLED THE COW tells the story of one woman reflecting on the moments that shaped her most: awkward first sexual encounters, rehearsing mortifying phone calls, and tuning in to doctrinal lectures on veganism. She realizes, however, that the consequences of one particular moment-her assault-have been long- repressed. Through conversations with the audience and Mother Cheetah, she resolves to no longer shy away from what has happened. She must face this moment head-on. Co-created, written and performed by Broadway World award-winning actress Larissa Marten, I KILLED THE COW asks: When it feels like the lawless world of sexuality is devouring you alive, how do you make your body your own?

I KILLED THE COW has been in development since July of 2015 and was born out of Marten's reflections on her own life experiences. The play promotes a more accessible dialogue around female sexuality and sexual assault. The show's recent engagement in the Minnesota Fringe Festival was named one of the Festival's "Top 10 Must See" by TWIN CITIES ARTS READER 2018.

"I've always found theatre to be an incredible tool for encouraging empathy and conversation," says director and co- creator Leia Squillace, "Working on I KILLED THE COW has allowed me to apply that tool to an issue that is of great importance for me personally as well as globally at the present moment." Squillace has utilized her experience with the University of Michigan's Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center to create a workshop for audiences to delve further into the play's themes and learn about sexual misconduct prevention and response.

I KILLED THE COW
Created by Larissa Marten and Leia Squillace
Part of the Chicago Fringe Festival
Saturday, September 1 at 5:30 PM, Sunday, September 2 at 4:00 PM, Monday, September 3 at 8:30 PM
The Playhouse at Jefferson Park
4766 N. Milwaukee Avenue (at Lawrence)
Suitable for audiences 13+. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased at chicagofringe.org or at the door.