David Byrne, the iconic frontman of the Talking Heads, is set to transform an office space in downtown Chicago into an immersive theater experience titled “Theater of the Mind.” This innovative production opens in March 2024 at the Reid Murdoch Building and promises to blend elements of neuroscience, storytelling, and art into a unique walkthrough experience.
Byrne unveiled details of the production during a press event in an empty room at the Reid Murdoch Building, captivating a small audience with a demonstration on the keyboard. The artist, who has earned accolades including an Oscar, Grammy, Tony, and Golden Globe, expressed his excitement about the project, which he co-created with writer Mala Gaonkar.
Exploring the Unreliability of Perception
“Theater of the Mind” is inspired by an earlier installation Byrne created in Denver in 2022. It aims to engage audiences in a 75-minute journey where they will question their senses and perceptions. As Byrne explained, the experience will highlight how our brains can misinterpret reality, allowing for personal reflection on memory and identity.
During the demonstration, Byrne played two identical piano notes and asked attendees to identify which was higher. This exercise illustrated the central theme of the show: how our senses can deceive us. “You experience the unreliability of your senses, and therefore your own memories and identity,” Byrne stated. “By the end of the show, you realize that’s what allows us to change and evolve and become the people we are at the present.”
The concept for the show emerged from Byrne’s interest in a Stockholm experiment called “Being Barbie,” which used virtual reality to simulate life as a doll. This idea was initially part of an art installation that Byrne sought to expand into a theatrical narrative.
A Unique Theatrical Journey
Andrew Scoville, a director known for his work in immersive theater, will helm the production. Scoville noted that the aim is to transition the neuroscience theme from a clinical presentation into a more theatrical experience. “They wanted to move the experience of this neuroscience from a more clinical art installation experience into something that felt more like theater,” he explained.
The show will utilize around 15,000 square feet of the downtown building, accommodating 16 audience members per session. Each performance will involve guides dressed in costumes inspired by Byrne’s childhood, leading participants through various sensory rooms. Although Byrne himself will not appear in the production, the guides will all share the name “David,” creating a unique connection between the audience and the experience.
Scoville elaborated on this concept, stating, “When the audience comes in, they get new identities. They choose a name, and the name is different from their own given name.” This approach aims to immerse the audience in a shared dream world, enhancing their engagement with the narrative.
The production will also contain autobiographical elements from Byrne’s life, though most of the storyline will be fictional. While there will be a room featuring a disco ball and music, Byrne clarified that the show is not a musical and will not showcase any new music from him.
The Goodman Theatre is supporting this ambitious project as part of its centennial celebrations. Susan Booth, the theatre’s artistic director, expressed her enthusiasm for taking risks with the production. “If there’s something that in 100 years we’ve never done, 100 is the time to do it,” she remarked. “We have this conventional notion of how theater works… What if we turned that on its head and said, ‘This, too, is theater?’”
Booth’s vision for the Goodman Theatre includes pushing the boundaries of traditional theater and creating experiences that resonate with contemporary audiences. “Our art form is completely dependent on the stream our audience is swimming in right now,” she said, emphasizing the importance of evolving with audience expectations.
As Chicago prepares for “Theater of the Mind,” this production promises not only to entertain but also to challenge perceptions, making it a noteworthy addition to the city’s rich cultural landscape.
