Carolina Theatre of Durham Celebrates Black History Month With Tours, Special Programming

DURHAM, NC — The Carolina Theatre of Durham invites the community to tour its civil rights exhibit, “Confronting Change,” and attend special programming during Black History Month.  

The Carolina Theatre was a segregated theater until 1963, providing a different experience for Black patrons. Black patrons were restricted to sitting in the top balcony and had to purchase tickets at a separate box office. Patrons had to walk up 97 stairs to access the balcony, often in the sweltering heat.  

The “Confronting Change” exhibit acknowledges the theater’s role in the Civil Rights Movement and honors those who participated in desegregating the theater. The exhibit includes photos and bios of the people desegregating the theater, newspaper features on the events, and replicas of the separate ticketing window. 

Self-guided tours of the “Confronting Change” exhibit are open to the public Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Guided tours are also available for groups of 25 or more when arranged in advance. All tours are free. 

The exhibit originally opened in 2014, and the theater will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year with a free event open to the public, featuring a short documentary screening about the theater’s civil rights history, a reception, and a panel discussion by the original protestors. 

The theater will host special programming during Black History Month, leading to the celebration of the Confronting Change 10th anniversary. Programming includes a free screening of the documentary “February One” about the Greensboro sit-in participants on February 1 and a performance by the African American dance company StepAfrika! on February 9. 

Visit the Carolina Theatre’s website to learn more about touring the “Confronting Change” exhibit, celebrating the exhibit’s 10-year anniversary, and attending special programming during Black History Month. 

About The Carolina Theatre of Durham:

Carolina Theatre of Durham, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that manages the city-owned Carolina Theatre at 309 W. Morgan Street, Durham, NC 27701. Carolina Theatre of Durham, Inc. is dedicated to presenting vibrant, thought-provoking films and live performances that contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of downtown Durham and the Triangle Region. More information is at carolinatheatre.org.