When a creature commits the most heinous crime, who’s to blame? The beast or its creator? That’s the question at The Jury Experience’s latest trial in Chicago. The courtroom showdown centers around Dr Frankenstein and his forbidden experiment. But it’s not the actors that deliver the verdict at this gripping live theater show—it’s you. You’re sworn in as a juror in a hard-hitting trial where a mythical tale sparks real-life moral questions.
What to expect at Frankenstein on Trial in Chicago
The original 1818 novel tells a story of Dr Frankenstein and his monster—a gigantic creature brought to life through a fusion of outlawed science, ingenuity and human remains. The scientist eventually rejects his own creation, leading the abandoned monster to kill. That’s where this trial takes off. It raises questions of morality and responsibility in a case where someone’s invention causes devastation.
In a court of law, a parent is rarely held responsible for the crimes of their children. But what if the one committing the crime isn’t human, but a sentient creation? Does a creator bear responsibility for ensuring their invention knows right from wrong? Can one person’s deeds truly be laid at another’s feet? That’s where you step in.
It’s up to you and your fellow jurors to look past your own prejudices to answer hard-hitting questions that make you question your own moral compass. To uncover the truth, you’ll dissect sketchy witness testimonies, analyze cutting arguments from both sides and even hear from the monster itself. In a case like this, there’s no precedent in the real world—at least not yet—but the way the future is heading with AI and the like, it might not stay that way for long…
Dates, times and how to get tickets to this immersive theater experience in Chicago
This season, The Jury Experience – Frankenstein on Trial is putting one of literature’s most famous monsters in the dock. The live trials will be taking place inside Edlis Neeson Theater —the state-of-the-art performance space inside the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.
The Chicago live theater show is scheduled for 14 June and 10 July, with performances at 5:30 pm in June and 6:00 pm and 8:30 pm in July.
Tickets are sold in four separate sections: zone A, B, C and D. Seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis in each zone and late entry isn’t permitted, so try getting to the venue with some time to spare.
The Jury Experience – Frankenstein on Trial: The Man Who Defied God: Will Chicago Deliver Justice?
30 May 2026 19:00 + more dates