How our Virtual Murder Mystery Parties Work
Let us make entertaining your virtual guests easy, interactive and super fun!
Jest Murder Mystery Co.
will care of the technical aspects of the virtual event so you and your guests can enjoy figuring out whodunnit!
Your Important Guests
will all receive a character to play and will have opportunities to participate in the action of the murder mystery party.
Our Professional Entertainers
will engage your guests in a live murder mystery show and will make them the stars of the event.
You
will have a fabulous time collecting compliments from your guests for your superior taste in virtual entertainment.
Some of our clients include:
Virtual Party Sneak Peek
Actual footage from real virtual parties with real guests!
Read Reviews of our Virtual Parties
More Reviews
Customers have a lot to say about our virtual murder mystery parties!
TERRIFIC – OMG amazing! You’ve used this Zoom tool SO WELL! SUPER COOL!
Nancy Weaver
This was a very fun experience! You all put in so much work and attention to this project, and made it fun for people to be involved.
Greg Mueller
Acting was superb! Very very enjoyable!
Karen Lundy
Very cool! I was not sure how that would work virtually but you guys made it happen! Very funny and entertaining!
Brian Morey
That was fun and (a) very lovely break from being cooped (up) at home!
Anna Gamboa
That was AWESOME!!! I will spread the word in my Virtual Meeting Planning world!
Lizanne Young
the company’s online murder mystery show was interactive and engaging. Plus I got to spend the night in a speakeasy – what could be better?
Lisa Yeager
Why book a Virtual Party
Safety
In today’s world, it goes without saying that it’s better to keep your distance. With our virtual shows, you can enjoy a very funny, professional, engaging show with guests from all over the world without ever leaving your desk chair. No risk of exposure here, just a whole lot of fun!
Quality
Jest Murder Mystery Co has been performing professional, in-person murder mystery shows since 1999, so we know a thing or two about planning a murder. We pride ourselves on providing a quality experience for our clients and our Zoom Virtual Shows are no different.
These Zoom Shows have been specially written, tested, rewritten, tested again, rewritten again, and tested again (and so on) to ensure that the end product is a virtual show that encompasses the fun and interaction of our live shows in a virtual environment. …and it’s a blast!
Interaction
Just like with our in-person shows, interaction with the audience is what we are all about. All guests who want to participate will have a part to play and can get involved! That’s right, everyone! We offer varying degrees of interaction with some parts being more involved than others. Which means your guests can participate at their comfort level.
Personalization
Each show that Jest Murder Mystery Co performs is unique in that each audience is unique. Jest shows (both in-person and virtual) contain aspects of scripted theater and improvisational theater. This approach creates a highbred show which contains a themed storyline and room for your guests to play around and have fun with their characters. It’s brilliant and it works (if we do say so ourselves!) Trust us, your guests are going to laugh a whole lot!
Easy
Our booking process is easy and sooooo much simpler than planning an in-person event. There’s no catering to book, no hall to reserve, no table set up required! All your guests need is a computer and a good internet connection!
Extras
We realize that staying at home or in the office for an event is a different experience than going out. So we’ve created resources to help your guests make the most of their experience. Once they have registered for the event, they will get customized content just for the show they are attending. They’ll receive technical tips along with cocktail recipes, costume suggestions, how-tos, appetizer recipes and more!
Application
No matter what type of event you are planning, our virtual murder mystery parties are an excellent option to keep your guests smiling and entertained. Book Jest to entertain at your company parties, virtual conferences, team building & team bonding events, private groups, birthday parties, company Christmas & holiday parties, bachelor & bachelorette parties, meetings, wedding receptions and more!
Virtual Murder Mystery Parties Hosted with Zoom
Our writers, actors and stage managers thoroughly evaluated virtual platforms before deciding on Zoom. Zoom provides the best virtual environment to allow for you to experience our brand of interactive entertainment.
We will provide you with an invitation for you to send to your guests. They will follow the registration process and receive a private link to join the party. We also share some tips and tricks for enjoying the party. Things like a description of what to expect, some answers to common questions, costume inspiration, and food and drink ideas.
Virtual Party Themes
A Dickens of a Killing
Baaaaa Huuuumbug!!! Ebenezer Scrooge will be back to his old tricks and is bound to make a few enemies at this Virtual Holiday Party chock full of Charles Dicken’s Characters.
Just when Beep (The Holiday Minstrel) gets everyone in the Holiday Spirit, Scrooge barges in and starts talking about gruel. Geez, hope no one snuffs Scrooge out before his time!
Dive into this fictitious world of Charles Dickens Characters and join Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit, Belle, Oliver Twist, The Ghost of Jacob Marley and so many more in this cheerful Jest Murder Mystery Company parody of a Holiday Classic.
Whether you want to participate a little or a lot, you’ll have a jolly good time, in jolly olde England, where there is sure to be “A Dickens of a Killing!”
Bullets in the Bathtub
Baaaaa Huuuumbug!!! Ebenezer Scrooge will be back to his old tricks and is bound to make a few enemies at this Virtual Holiday Party chock full of Charles Dicken’s Characters.
Just when Beep (The Holiday Minstrel) gets everyone in the Holiday Spirit, Scrooge barges in and starts talking about gruel. Geez, hope no one snuffs Scrooge out before his time!
Dive into this fictitious world of Charles Dickens Characters and join Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit, Belle, Oliver Twist, The Ghost of Jacob Marley and so many more in this cheerful Jest Murder Mystery Company parody of a Holiday Classic.
Whether you want to participate a little or a lot, you’ll have a jolly good time, in jolly olde England, where there is sure to be “A Dickens of a Killing!”
Fun, Professionally Hosted Virtual Christmas Parties
Just because your group can not get together in person doesn’t mean you can’t have a great Virtual Holiday Party this year. We host your Christmas Party for your Team, Co-Workers, Friends, Family, Etc on ZOOM.
Our Party includes a Funny, Interactive Virtual Murder Mystery where our Professional Entertainers will make your guests the stars. We create a One of a Kind Experience that guarantees no two shows are ever the same.
Plus, no need to cook a giant meal, clean the house, or deal with that one guest that doesn’t know when to leave.
Read reviews of our Virtual Holiday Parties
Virtual Team Building with Jest
Looking to break the mold of what a a virtual team building activity can be, bring Jest’s fully hosted professional live murder mystery to your remote team.
Read what Necco Ceresani of LinearB had to say about us on Google.
This is not just another murder mystery game with a host to lead you through it. Our live virtual host is joined by our professional entertainers to help your team members bring tears to the eyes of their laughing co-workers.
These turn key corporate team building events are wildly entertaining and create an atmosphere of participation as your group comes together for some great laughs.
Every one of your team members will play a part plus there are lots of opportunities for audience interaction with no need to memorize lines. Everyone can participate as much or as little as they would like to.
Want to find out more about how our virtual shows work click here.
Ready to get a free quick quote click here.
Meet a few of our Virtual Party Entertainers
Ed Reggi
Ed Reggi hails from the Big Apple but calls the Midwest home. He’s been making audiences laugh for 20 years. He cut his comedy teeth studying at Second City in Chicago. Ed is an Acting Professor at Southern Illinois University and he’s the founder of Paper Slip Theatre, the longest-running improv company in St. Louis, MO. You can also catch Ed Reggi on Oprah Winfrey’s reality show, WELCOME TO SWEETIE PIES. Visit www.edreggi.com
MaryBeth Scherr
MaryBeth has been acting in theatre, film and television for over 35 years. She is the creator and artistic director of The Actors’ Attic in Columbia, IL where she directs over 12 shows per year. After a 15 year stint in Los Angeles, she moved back to the St. Louis metro area to raise her kids. A proud member of SAG-AFTRA, she misses opportunities to do fun television gigs like Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She has been happily performing for Jest Murder Mysteries for over 13 years.
Andy Vieluf
Andy Vieluf is a professional entertainer from Las Vegas, NV. Billing himself as a “Professional Weirdo” across the west coast, Andy’s “jack of all trades” entertainment style includes things like music, magic, clowning, fire arts, and so much more. Andy’s notable credits include 2 years as a Blue Man in Blue Man Group Las Vegas, and Roger on the 2007 national tour of RENT. He has performed with Motley Crue, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, The Cult, and several others. He has been seen in the films Transformers, Ted 2, Yes Man, and Paul Blart: Mall Cop, and on the television shows Duets (ABC), Shipping Wars (A&E), Entourage (HBO), and Bar Rescue (SpikeTV). Andy is a graduate of UNLV with a degree in Theater Arts.
Hannah Connell
Hannah Connell found her way to performing when she found that people applaud her for being the quirky tall girl, something that comes quite naturally to her. Hannah has a BFA in Musical Theatre from The Conservatory at Southeast Missouri State University. Once she got her degree, she high-tailed it out to NYC and now lives in Jersey where there's grass, trees, and a handsome man she calls her husband. Hannah has an international children's theatre tour under her belt as well as some time Can-Can dancing in Skagway, Alaska. When she's not auditioning for Broadway or television, you can find her belting high C's in her closet!
Johnbarry Green
Born and raised in a suburb north of Boston, Johnbarry—JB to his friends—went to Salem State to pursue a BFA in acting. He has performed locally in the North Shore for years, working as an actor and a director. When not in Massachusetts, from spring to fall, he lives in South Florida, performing in stage plays and the South Florida Renaissance Festival. He has had a fantastic time performing in productions of Equus, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Noises Off, You Can’t Take It, and Romeo and Juliet.
Megan Clarke
Megan is a recent graduate from St. Ambrose University with a B.A. degree in Theatre. She has just recently moved back to Chicago to continue her acting career and is looking forward to creating art with the incredible people that inhabit this city. Some of her recent credits include a fall tour with the National Theatre for Children in Minneapolis, Mn. and the role of Amy in the world premiere of Beginner's Luck, written by P.J. Lasker and directed by Philip. Wm. McKinley.
Christopher Schultz
Christopher Schultz travels the country performing with Jest Mysteries, as well as his own children’s production company FAIRE STORIES. He has performed as Dave in The Full Monty, Swindler in Emperor’s New Clothes, as Francois in Wintertime. He’s also performed at King Richard’s Faire, the New England Pirate Faire, the Connecticut Renaissance Faire and Florida Renaissance Festival. Chris works with the Boston Freedom Trail Foundation and with the internationally recognized Kaleidoscope Theatre.
Brianna Roche
Brianna holds a B.F.A. in Theatre Performance from the University of Memphis and has performed improv and sketch comedy with Florida Studio Theatre Improv(Sarasota, FL), Bonita City Improv(Bonita Springs, FL), and Bluff City Liars(Memphis!). This summer, she played Adriana in The Comedy of Errors and Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream at TN Stage Co. in Knoxville, TN. This Fall, she played the Bawd in Pericles and Lord Capulet in Romeo and Juliet at TN Shakespeare Co. in Memphis, TN. Brie is so excited to be joining the team at Jest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Virtual Murder Mystery Party?
Superfun! That’s what it is! In our case, a Murder Mystery Virtual Party is a live, interactive, comedy mystery show performed by professional actors through the Zoom Virtual Platform. This includes a good guy, a bad guy, a little murder and a lot of fun. The shows are two acts, and everyone plays a part plus there are lots of opportunities for audience participation with no need to memorize lines. Our shows are a lot of fun and are a great way to entertain a group who can’t get together in-person. A Jest Murder Mystery Virtual Show is a great entertainment solution for company Christmas parties or holiday parties, corporate events, birthday parties, family reunions, bachelorette parties, baby showers or just because. Book Jest and your guests will be talking about their experience for years to come…trust us!
This includes a good guy, a bad guy, a little murder and a lot of fun. The shows are usually three acts and everyone plays a part plus there are lots of opportunities for audience participation with no need to memorize lines.
Our shows are a lot of fun and are a great way to entertain a large group. A Jest Murder Mystery Dinner Show is a great entertainment solution for company Christmas parties, corporate events, large birthday parties, family reunions and the occasional bris. This will be something they will laugh about for years to come…trust us!
Why Jest?
Jest is unique in the world of interactive theater. We only hire true professionals and we train them to pull the funny out of any situation…and its completely painless! If you’re looking for spooky, detached, dramatic theater…this is NOT your murder mystery company. But…if you’re looking for real professionals to pull your people into the show with oh so much audience involvement, have them rolling in the isles and then make them the heroes of the day, then this is your Murder Mystery Co. It’s not bragging if it’s the truth.
How much audience interaction is there?
Everyone who wants to participate will receive a fun part to play and will interact with the actors and each other via the chat. They will receive these parts in their chat box during the virtual “cocktail” reception before the show begins. If your guests are late to the party, they may not receive a part to play so make sure everyone plans to be on time!
About 10 or so of your guests will get more involved, on-screen roles where lots of creative, funny, improvisational things will happen. The rest of your guests will be asked to turn their camera’s on from time to time for a reaction or cue phrase and will be encouraged to participate via the chat box. They’re going to have a great time in their new roles!
What does the show include?
Our shows include two professional, comedic actors and one highly skilled, virtual stage manager. The show will run about 90 minutes including a short cocktail party for your audience to arrive and receive their parts, act one, a short break and act two. All guests who want to participate will receive a part to play. Most guests will interact with each other and the actors via chat with about 10 or so guests having more involved, on-screen roles. Your guests will witness a comical murder, several of them will become suspects and one will be the murder. All murderers will immediately be arrested and carted off to jail…just kidding, we usually give them a big pat-on-the-back. After the show, we will post screenshots that we grabbed during your event and will share them on Facebook for your guests to share and comment on (www.facebook.com/jestmysteryco). If you don’t want us to share photos of your group having a great time, just let us know ahead of time.
How long do the shows last?
We are very flexible and can normally adjust our shows to meet your needs. A typical timeline including a mix and mingle, our show and a meal is about 2.5 to 3.5 hours from start to finish. Craving more details? Check out our post about a Possible Agenda for our shows.
How many actors do we get?
Our formula includes two rigorously auditioned and better trained entertainers and a virtual stage manager with every show. By keeping the number of entertainers to a minimum, we find that there are many more opportunities for the audience to get involved. This makes our shows more engaging and therefore, much funnier.
What will my guests need to participate in the virtual show?
Your guests will need to download and be able to operate the latest free version of Zoom (download here). They will need either a laptop or desktop computer with a microphone and camera. Most laptops come with a microphone and camera pre-installed. Encourage your guests to use computers, NOT phones or tablets. Using these other devices will result in a less fun, limited experience. They will also need a good internet connection and will need to turn off any interfering devices that might make their signal weak (like that gamer in the other room, their smart tv, etc).
Are your shows right for my group?
Our shows are written for mature audiences and do contain some adult humor and references. There is no cursing or lewd content, just some light-hearted, suggestive humor. In general, we do not recommend our shows for young audiences and place the content at a pg13 rating.
What is your booking process?
You ask for quote…we send one…you fill out contract and pay a deposit…we book our entertainers and virtual stage manager and add you to our schedule…we send you a link for your guests to use to register in advance…your guests register and follow their unique link to join…hilarity ensues…we invoice you…you pay us…everyone talks about how much fun they had…you book us again and again!
I just got a quote, what now?
Make sure to pay your deposit and sign your contract within 30 days so the quote doesn’t self-destruct. Also, we can’t hold onto any dates until the contract and deposit are received.
I’ve signed my contract and sent my deposit, is my show automatically confirmed?
Shows are contingent on actor availability so don’t send out the invitations until you get officially confirmation from us that your performers and virtual stage manager are available and booked. If our performers are unavailable for your preferred date and time, we will reach out to see if another date will work for you. If it won’t, we will refund any moneys payed and hope to work with you in the future.
What credit cards do you accept?
Visa, MasterCard, Discover & American Express. If you pay with a credit card, expect the tinsy winsy processing fee.
I’m planning a surprise murder mystery… what a great idea right?
Planning a surprise event is a wonderful idea, but it’s not a great idea to plan a surprise dinner theater event. Why? Because these shows are heavily reliant on the participation of the audience and when an audience is surprised with one, they tend to get a little scared and shut down. We recommend that you let everyone know in advance what you are planning so they will be open to having a good time when the time comes. And then they can come in costume! How fun is that!