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Theater, a Site for Deep Democracy

Date: Fri, Oct 30, 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 online early and bring your teens for a great civic discussion.

When
Oct 30
Fri, Oct 30, 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 into open, facilitated dialogue. Rather than watching a traditional stage play, attendees gather to speak, listen, and share perspectives on community issues in a supportive environment. This gathering takes place at the von der Heyden Studio Theater inside the Rubenstein Arts Center in Durham. The event is free and open to all generations, making it a thoughtful outing for parents with high schoolers or college students. Because active participation and listening are central to the evening, it is best suited for older children, teenagers, and adults. Be sure to RSVP online before heading out, and park in the campus lots near the arts center. It is a worthwhile weekend pick if you want to step away from screens and help your older kids practice real-world civic dialogue. It offers a structured, calm environment to discuss big ideas with neighbors you might not otherwise meet.

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 in advance using the online RSVP form.
Where is the event located and where should I park?
It takes place at the Rubenstein Arts Center in the von der Heyden Studio Theater on Duke's campus in Durham. Visitor parking is available in the nearby campus lots and decks.
Is this event suitable for young children?
This event relies on quiet listening and group discussion, so it is best suited for teenagers and adults rather than toddlers or young children.

Last updated

FREE

Oct 30

Plan Your Visit

Schedule

Theater, a Site for Deep Democracy runs Fri, Oct 30, 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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