A THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE
FOR THE SCIENCE-MINDED

Theater of the Mind created by David Byrne and Mala Gaonkar and directed by Andrew Scoville is an interactive neuroscience experiment tied together with storytelling that takes you inside the mind of an audience surrogate, David, who I assume is based on the creator. We begin as guests at David’s funeral, when he rises from his coffin and begins the process of leading us back in time through the immersive worlds of his memories. Together we explore his unreliable memories and interrogate the reliability of our own senses.

The entire experience lasts 75 minutes with multiple performances happening simultaneously. Groups of 16 audience members are led through the experience, starting 15 minutes apart. Each group is led through the 15,000 square-foot installation by a different actor playing David (I saw Elizabeth Laidlaw).

The storytelling element of this theatrical experience takes a backseat to the main event: neuroscience. Each room in David’s mind is a step back through his memory, but is primarily focused on a science experiment testing the reliability of our senses. How does our brain adjust our perceptions of color based on what we know about light and shadow? (Think of the infamous “blue dress/black dress phenomenon.”) Can we trust our taste buds if there’s a berry that can make acidity taste sweet? In one room, the audience sits in total darkness for seven minutes, but not without reward! Experiencing the science of visual perception first hand is well worth the pitch-black wait. 

The rooms inside David’s mind are richly created by scenic designer Neil Patel and technology director Heidi Boisert. These magnificently detailed, transporting rooms feel a little like extremely well-produced escape rooms, but instead of solving puzzles, you have to complete science experiments to move on. Lighting designer Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew must have had a field day working on this show where light is critically important in many of the rooms. Her designs stand out as a highlight of the show, delivering science, nostalgia, and a little theatrical flair.

Not in any way your traditional theatre experience, Theater of the Mind challenges audiences to engage in science. This is theatre for the curious, the questioner, the thinker. It’s an adult science fair with a dash of storytelling on top, and I highly recommend giving it a try. I can almost guarantee you’ll learn something new.

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photos of Chicago audience members experiencing
Theater of the Mind by Todd Rosenberg

Theater of the Mind
Goodman Theatre
Reid Murdoch Building, 333 N. LaSalle, Chicago
recommended for ages 10+
ends on August 30, 2026
for tickets ($69–$99, subject to change),
call 312.443.3800 or visit Theater Of The Mind Chicago

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