Skip to main content

Theater, a Site for Deep Democracy

Date: Thu, Oct 15, 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 arrive fifteen minutes early to secure parking.

When
Oct 15
Thu, Oct 15, 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 speak, listen, and share perspectives on community concerns in a structured, judgment-free environment. If you plan to attend, the event takes place at the Rubenstein Arts Center in Durham on Thursday, October 15, 2026, from 7 PM to 9 PM. Admission is free, but you must RSVP online beforehand to secure a spot. While the event welcomes all ages, the reflective and conversational nature of the program makes it best suited for parents, college students, and teenagers who enjoy civic discussion. Parking is available in the campus lots near the arts center. This gathering offers a thoughtful way to spend a Thursday evening, giving you and your older kids a chance to step away from screens and connect with your local community on a deeper level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cost to attend this event?
No, the event is entirely free to the public, but you do need to register in advance using the online RSVP form.
Where exactly is the event located and where should I park?
It takes place in the von der Heyden Studio Theater inside the Rubenstein Arts Center at Duke University. Visitors can use the paid campus parking lots nearby.
Is this program suitable for young children?
While all ages are permitted, the format involves two hours of quiet listening and group discussion, making it most appropriate for teenagers and adults.

Last updated

FREE

Oct 15

Plan Your Visit

Schedule

Theater, a Site for Deep Democracy runs Thu, Oct 15, 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.

Community Guides

All guides →