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Theater, a Site for Deep Democracy

Date: Tue, Oct 20, 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 bring your teens for a night of thoughtful discussion.

When
Oct 20
Tue, Oct 20, 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 participants. The evening focuses on listening, sharing perspectives, and exploring collective community ideas in a structured, supportive environment. What to Know: The event takes place at the Rubenstein Arts Center in Durham and is open to all ages, though the abstract nature of the discussion makes it best suited for high schoolers and adults. Admission is free, but you must RSVP online in advance to secure a spot. Parking is available in the nearby Campus Drive lot, and you should plan to arrive fifteen minutes early to find the studio theater. This gathering offers a rare opportunity to step away from screens and connect face-to-face with neighbors. It is a meaningful way to spend a Tuesday evening, especially if you want to encourage civic engagement and thoughtful discussion with your older kids.

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 register online in advance to reserve your seat.
Is this event suitable for young children?
While all ages are welcome, the format involves deep conversation and quiet listening, making it most appropriate for teenagers and adults.
Where should I park at the Rubenstein Arts Center?
You can park in the paid visitor lots along Campus Drive or use nearby street parking, then walk to the von der Heyden Studio Theater.

Last updated

FREE

Oct 20

Plan Your Visit

Schedule

Theater, a Site for Deep Democracy runs Tue, Oct 20, 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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