06/23/2026
๐ญ The Carolina Theatre of Durham celebrates its centennial this year, marking a century of bringing world-class performances, films, festivals and educational programming to the Bull City. ๐โค๏ธ
โThis milestone represents a celebration of resilience, creativity and especially community,โ says President and CEO Randy McKay. โItโs a testament to the generations of artists, audiences, volunteers, staff and supporters who have kept the theater alive. Its most [pivotal] moments have happened because the community demanded it โ from the student protesters who desegregated the theater [in the 1960s] to the volunteers who rose up when the building was scheduled for demolition [in later decades].โ โ๐ช
Originally known as the Durham Auditorium, the building expanded over time, including the addition of a cinema wing in the 1990s. Three on-site exhibits inside the venue detail its journey, tracing the evolution from movie house to arts nonprofit. Through every era, the theater has remained a gathering place where Durhamites seek entertainment and inspiration.๐๐ก
โจ This year's calendar showcases the breadth of the theaterโs programming: The Retro Film Series continues to showcase beloved cult classics; the Family Saturday Series and the Sensory Friendly Film Series offer affordable and free arts experiences for audience members of all ages; the 31st annual OUTSOUTH Q***r Film Festival in August highlights LGBTQ+ stories; and headlining musicians like Three Dog Night and Melissa Etheridge as well as comedians like Fred Armisen bring their acts to Fletcher Hallโs stage. โWeโre especially excited to co-present โApollo,โ a dance-theater work by Pioneer Winter Collective, in partnership with American Dance Festival on June 25,โ Randy adds.
And be sure to mark your calendar to join The Monti and the Carolina Theatre on Sept. 17 for an evening of stories inspired by the theater and Durham's rich history. Have a Carolina Theatre memory worth sharing? ๐ฉ Email [email protected] by July 17 for a chance to tell your tale. ๐ค
"We invite everyone to be part of the next chapter," Randy says, "whether that means attending a show, supporting our work or simply sharing in the experience of the arts.โ ๐ฌ๐ถ
๐ธ by John Michael Simpson
