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Theater, a Site for Deep Democracy

Date: Tue, Oct 6, 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

Register early online and bring your teens for a night of real conversation.

When
Oct 6
Tue, Oct 6, 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 residents. Participants will gather in a shared space to speak, listen, and share perspectives on community issues in a structured, supportive environment. If you plan to attend, the event takes place at the Rubenstein Arts Center on Duke's campus. Admission is free, but you must register online in advance to secure a spot. The program is open to all ages and is particularly suited for high schoolers and adults who enjoy civic discussion. Free parking is available nearby after 5:00 PM in the Campus Drive lot. This event offers a rare chance to step away from screens and connect face-to-face with your neighbors. It is a meaningful way to spend a Tuesday evening, especially if you want to introduce your older kids to active civic participation outside of a classroom.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cost to attend this event?
No, the event is completely free to the public, but you do need to RSVP online beforehand to reserve your seat.
Where should I park at the Rubenstein Arts Center?
You can park in the Campus Drive lot located directly across the street from the arts center, which is free to visitors after 5:00 PM.
Is this event suitable for young children?
While all ages are welcome, the format involves quiet listening and deep conversation, so it is best suited for teenagers and adults.

Last updated

FREE

Oct 6

Plan Your Visit

Schedule

Theater, a Site for Deep Democracy runs Tue, Oct 6, 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.

More events at Rubenstein Arts Center, von der Heyden Studio Theater

What to Bring

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

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