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Theater, a Site for Deep Democracy

Date: Sun, Oct 4, 2026

Time: 7 PM - 9 PM

Venue: Rubenstein Arts Center, von der Heyden Studio Theater, Durham

Price: Free

Category: Community

Duke University's Laboratory for Social Choreography invites you to participate in its latest venture, Theater. Spend an evening in meaningful conversation with strangers. Listen, speak, disagree, remain silent, and encounter others without judgment or fear. Discover what the collective body is thinking and dreaming about. Experience what deep democracy can feel like when you find yourself embedded in an ecology of concerns with no predetermined roles or outcomes. Bring friends. People of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds are welcome. ‘A glimpse of democratic thought stripped of theater’ To RSVP - please follow this linkhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd1PijBjgGltXtfwDRuJcV3ZhJ26Vs7ue-hPPvCv36jeTNeaQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=108919475168373824097 This event is supported by Belonging? a contribution by the Arts and Humanities departments of Trinity College to We the People: A Duke and Durham Initiative. Belonging? is funded by Trinity College and Duke Arts. Theater was developed by the Laboratory for Social Choreography, under the direction of Prof. Michael Kliën, at the Kenan Institute for Ethics.

Community · Durham

Theater, a Site for Deep Democracy

RSVP early online and arrive fifteen minutes early to find campus parking.

When
Oct 4
Sun, Oct 4, 2026
7 PM - 9 PM
Ages
Check ages with the venue
Price
Free
durhamfreefamily friendly

Theater, a Site for Deep Democracy is an interactive community forum hosted by Duke University's Laboratory for Social Choreography that encourages open dialogue among strangers. Participants gather to share perspectives, listen to differing viewpoints, and discuss current societal questions in a structured, supportive environment. If you plan to attend, the event takes place at the von der Heyden Studio Theater inside the Rubenstein Arts Center. While the program is open to all ages, the abstract nature of the discussion makes it best suited for adults and teenagers. Admission is free, but you must register online in advance to secure a spot. Parking is available in the campus pay lots nearby, so give yourself an extra ten minutes to park and walk to the venue. This event is a thoughtful Sunday evening option if you want to connect with your local community on a deeper level. It offers a rare chance to step away from screens and participate in real, face-to-face conversations about topics that impact the Triangle region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cost to attend this community event?
No, the event is completely free to the public, but you do need to RSVP online beforehand to reserve your seat.
Is this event suitable for young children?
While all ages are technically welcome, the format involves deep, quiet conversation and listening, making it most appropriate for high schoolers and adults.
Where should I park at the Rubenstein Arts Center?
You can park in the paid visitor lots on Duke's campus near the arts center, such as the Campus Drive lot.

Last updated

FREE

Oct 4

Plan Your Visit

Schedule

Theater, a Site for Deep Democracy runs Sun, Oct 4, 2026, 7 PM - 9 PM. It repeats daily.

Getting There

Rubenstein Arts Center, von der Heyden Studio Theater is at 2020 Campus Drive, Durham, NC. Open in Google Maps.

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What to Bring

Nothing but the kids — this one's free, with no tickets to buy.

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