The Terror Cottas and Chicago Park District Present “The Ostrich”

The Terror Cottas and Chicago Park District are pleased to announce the world premiere of The Ostrich, written by Wendy A. Schmidt and directed by Eileen Tull, May 2 – 17 at the Berger Park’s North Mansion, 6205 N. Sheridan. 

Orville and Wilbur Wright, the Wright Brothers, have arrived in present-day Ostrich, Indiana, to build an airstrip. Chuck, a farmer, and his sister, the mayor and proprietor of a tacky bed and breakfast called The Ostrich Feather, must grapple with tradeoffs in the effort to do what’s best for the place they love. Can technological progress finally get The Ostrich Feather off the ground? The Ostrich explores the human cost of invention when fused with capitalism. The first floor of an old mansion is transformed into an ostrich-themed bed and breakfast for this site-specific dark comedy with the audience getting a seat in the middle of the absurdity. Early reactions include “So timely,” “That is f’d up,” “Boiled The Cherry Orchard down to five minutes” and “Oh noooo!”

The performance schedule is Thursdays – Saturdays at 7 p.m. with an Industry performance on Monday, May 12 at 7 p.m. The runtime is 100 minutes with no intermission. Tickets are $5 – $10 and go on sale April 11 at  TheTerrorCottas.org.

Please Note: This venue is not handicap accessible, as the only entrance is via stairs. The audience will move six to ten times throughout the performance. Chairs will be provided in each setting, with the exception of one five-minute scene. For any accommodations needed, please contact TheTerrorCottas@gmail.com.