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Theater, a Site for Deep Democracy

Date: Wed, Nov 4, 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 park for free in the Campus Drive lot after 5 PM.

When
Nov 4
Wed, Nov 4, 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 connecting with neighbors from different backgrounds in a supportive environment. If you plan to go, the event takes place at the von der Heyden Studio Theater inside the Rubenstein Arts Center. Admission is free, but you must register online in advance to secure your spot. The program is open to all ages, though the reflective nature of the discussion is best suited for adults and mature teenagers. Free parking is available nearby on campus after 5 PM, particularly in the Campus Drive lot. This event offers a meaningful way to spend a mid-week evening connecting with the local community. It is a rare opportunity to step away from screens and participate in face-to-face conversations about topics that matter to our region.

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 directly across from the arts center, which is free to visitors after 5 PM.
Is this event suitable for young children?
While all ages are welcome, the format involves quiet listening and structured discussion, which is best suited for teenagers and adults.

Last updated

FREE

Nov 4

Plan Your Visit

Schedule

Theater, a Site for Deep Democracy runs Wed, Nov 4, 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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