Elmhurst Native Shares Insights on Working with David Byrne's Interactive 'Theater of the Mind'

The immersive River North experience has been extended due to high demand.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:12pm

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A striking abstract illustration featuring jagged geometric shapes in bold red and black, conceptually representing the immersive, mind-bending nature of the 'Theater of the Mind' experience.David Byrne's innovative 'Theater of the Mind' invites Chicago audiences to engage with the show in bold, participatory ways.Chicago Today

Andrew Scoville, an Elmhurst native, is the director of David Byrne's interactive theatrical experience 'Theater of the Mind' in Chicago's River North neighborhood. Scoville shares what it's like working with the former Talking Heads frontman on the unique, technology-driven show that invites audience participation. The Goodman Theatre's artistic director, Susan Booth, also reflects on collaborating with Byrne and the show's appeal to Chicago audiences.

Why it matters

David Byrne's 'Theater of the Mind' represents a new frontier in immersive, participatory theater that is drawing curious crowds in Chicago. The show's innovative approach to blending technology, audience interaction, and Byrne's creative vision is reshaping traditional notions of what live theater can be.

The details

Scoville, the show's director, describes the logistical challenges of managing the interactive experience, where groups of audience members enter the space every 15 minutes. The technology behind the show is 'very unique' compared to typical theater productions, requiring constant resetting of the rooms. Booth, the Goodman Theatre's artistic director, notes that the show is helping to break down preconceptions about theater being a 'stuffy' experience, encouraging audiences to fully engage with the performance.

  • The 'Theater of the Mind' show has been extended to July 12, 2026 due to popular demand.
  • The show first opened in Chicago's River North neighborhood in early 2026.

The players

Andrew Scoville

An Elmhurst native who is the director of David Byrne's 'Theater of the Mind' interactive experience in Chicago.

David Byrne

The former frontman of the band Talking Heads, who created the 'Theater of the Mind' interactive theatrical experience.

Susan Booth

The artistic director of the Goodman Theatre, which is presenting the 'Theater of the Mind' show in a River North space.

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What they’re saying

“It's a wild ride; the show is big. The show is complicated. Behind all these walls there's a lot going on.”

— Andrew Scoville, Director

“We really do invite the audience to bring their full selves to the show. So when you are here, doing you, we hope the guide leads you through in a way that you really understand how to participate in a way that's gonna make the show really resonate for you.”

— Andrew Scoville, Director

“I think for a lot of people, theater, they're as likely to go see theater as they are to take clog dancing lessons. It feels like this weird offense other people do, right? We're so schooled in this notion that theater happens in stuffy dark rooms, where you sit in the velvet seats, you don't talk too much. Don't crinkle your candy. But theater is so much more than that.”

— Susan Booth, Artistic Director, Goodman Theatre

“You know somebody had to step out because they'd taken a gummy before they went in. You don't want to do this show high.”

— Susan Booth, Artistic Director, Goodman Theatre

What’s next

Byrne hopes that 'Theater of the Mind' will become a landmark performance in Chicago, building on the show's initial success and extended run.

The takeaway

David Byrne's 'Theater of the Mind' is pushing the boundaries of traditional theater by creating an immersive, technology-driven experience that encourages active audience participation. The show's innovative approach is resonating with Chicago audiences and challenging preconceptions about what live performance can be.