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Theater, a Site for Deep Democracy

Date: Wed, Oct 14, 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 and aim for the Campus Drive Lot for the shortest walk.

When
Oct 14
Wed, Oct 14, 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 invites participants to share perspectives and listen to others in a structured, supportive environment. This gathering focuses on open dialogue, allowing neighbors from different backgrounds to discuss current hopes and concerns without the pressure of formal roles or debates. What to Know: The event is free to attend, but you must register online in advance to secure a spot. It takes place at the von der Heyden Studio Theater inside the Rubenstein Arts Center in Durham. While the event welcomes all ages, the reflective, conversational format is best suited for teenagers and adults who can participate in a two-hour discussion. Paid parking is available in the nearby Campus Drive Lot or the Duke University Museum of Art lot. This is an excellent mid-week option if you want to help your high schoolers practice civic engagement and active listening. It offers a rare, quiet space to connect with the local Durham community on a deeper level than your typical neighborhood gathering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cost to attend this event?
No, the event is completely free, but you do need to RSVP online beforehand to reserve your seat.
Is this event suitable for young children?
While the organizers welcome all ages, the two-hour format consists of quiet listening and group discussion, making it most appropriate for teenagers and adults.
Where should I park at the Rubenstein Arts Center?
You can use the paid visitor parking at the Campus Drive Lot or the Nasher Museum lot, both of which are a short walk from the venue.

Last updated

FREE

Oct 14

Plan Your Visit

Schedule

Theater, a Site for Deep Democracy runs Wed, Oct 14, 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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