May 24, 2026 – The sought-after immersive sensory experience co-created by Academy, Grammy, and Tony Award-winning artist David Byrne and writer Mala Gaonkar is expanding its footprint in downtown Chicago. Presented by the Goodman Theatre as a marquee feature of its Centennial Season, Theater of the Mind has officially extended its run at the Reid Murdoch Building through August 30, 2026, due to strong ticket sales.
From the time performances started in March through May 7, nearly 20,000 tickets were sold, according to the Goodman Theatre.
“We had hoped to create a memorable, out-of-the-box, one-of-a-kind experience for our Centennial Season, and are honored that so many have taken this journey with us,” said Goodman Theatre Walter Artistic Director Susan V. Booth.
Sensory journey inside landmark space
Supported by a $250,000 Community Development Grant from the City of Chicago, the project repurposed space inside the landmarked building. Directed by Andrew Scoville and Technology Director Dr. Heidi Boisvert, the 75-minute installation acts as a live sensory laboratory.
Rather than standard auditorium seating, the experience is limited to intimate groups of just 16 audience members at a time. Led by a live Guide, participants travel through a succession of rooms designed to challenge human perception through sensory experiments rooted in both historical and current neuroscience research.
‘Date Night’ package introduced
A new “Make it a Date Night” package aims to draw evening crowds to the River North riverfront area. The $99 package features:
- Two tickets to the experience.
- Two complimentary drinks at the Theater of the Mind bar.
- A free dessert-for-two with dinner reservations at neighboring Italian restaurant Nonnina (340 North Clark Street).
The package is valid for performance time slots starting at 8:00 pm on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, subject to availability, using the promotional code DATE.
Plan your visit
- Location: Reid Murdoch Building, 333 North LaSalle Street.
- Schedule: Performances run weekly from Tuesday through Sunday, launching every 15 minutes to accommodate the small group sizes.
- Age Recommendation: Appears best suited for ages 10 and up.
- Tickets: Prices start at $69 (subject to change).
More info:
Previous Story Theater of the Mind: 15,000-square-foot sensory playground inhabits Reid Murdoch Building
