Duke Arts is thrilled to announce the lineup for its 2024-25 Duke Arts Presents season, featuring more than 40 programs from artists around the globe. Running from September 3, 2024 through May 3, 2025, the upcoming season reflects the breadth of academic pursuits within the arts at Duke University.
“The season captures the spirit of Duke Arts, bringing a wide array of artists from around the globe engaged in a huge range of creative practices,” said Aaron Shackelford, Duke Arts Director of Programming. “We are excited to share such a broad season of performances and installations that include both familiar friends and new encounters throughout the year.”
AS WATER FALLS, an interactive waterfall of light by digital art studio Iregular; In the Wake of Progress, an immersive, multimedia film from Edward Burtynsky that ignites crucial conversations about the impact of human industry on our planet; and Día de los Muertos Ofrenda, a large-scale Day of the Dead altar at Duke Chapel by local Latinx artists.
Comedians Roy Wood Jr. and Jordan Klepper join Duke Arts Opening Week, and Belgian theater company Ontroerend Goed steps into the ring with Fight Night, a political performance that takes your mind off the issues and onto the nature of democracy itself. Two days after election day, Duke Arts invites communities to come together through music with British vocal ensemble Tenebrae in Duke Chapel.
Acclaimed tap dancer Ayodele Casel’s new work “Rooted,” thoughtfully taps into the roots of her artform; Pik-Kei Wong brings the U.S. premiere of her solo work “Bird-Watching,” exploring bodily-autonomy and female desire; and recently retired Alvin Ailey star and Durham native Hope Boykin stages her autobiographical work “States of Hope” in its hometown premiere. These three works join the previously announced dance-theater piece “Last Ward“ from Yaa Samar! Dance Theater.
Oscar-nominated documentarian Sam Green brings his film 32 Sounds for an immersive screening complete with live music and narration. Legendary British theater-maker Tim Crouch performs in An Oak Tree, his absurdist, experimental play about theater, grief, and how we process the world. Puppeteers Dorothy James and Andy Manjuck bring Bill’s 44th, a comic puppet show for grown-ups.
Several musicians with new music and recently released albums join the lineup, including Haitian Vodou group Racine Nago, innovative American composers Gabriel Kahane and Caroline Shaw, and multi-genre bassist and singer-songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello. They join a previously announced contemporary music lineup that includes Adrianne Lenker and a five-concert series in celebration of The Music Maker Foundation that culminates in a concert headlined by Taj Mahal, Dom Flemons, and Jackson Browne. The season also includes three classical musical series focusing on chamber arts, solo piano, and vocal performance.
Select events are scheduled to correspond with celebratory weeks at Duke University, including an arts-themed Welcome Week from September 3-7 and Duke’s Centennial Arts Week from November 16-22. Duke Arts is also excited to return to American Tobacco Campus for a series of free concerts every Wednesday in September. This year’s series celebrates 30 years of Music Maker Foundation with artists at the forefront of American roots music.
Duke Arts Presents is a program of the Office of the Vice Provost for the Arts at Duke University (known as Duke Arts) that is dedicated to providing public presentations of world-class artists and groundbreaking new work at Duke, in Durham and beyond. In addition to the public performances and exhibitions included in the season, Duke Arts is committed to providing opportunities for Duke students and community members to engage meaningfully with visiting artists throughout the season.
I am proud to be able to bring these distinguished creatives to engage with Duke students and the communities around us throughout the coming academic year. We strive to create a space that welcomes everyone, and we invite you to come and find your place with us during this exciting season.”
John Brown, Vice Provost for the Arts
Ticket packages are available now for classical music subscription series and Pick-4 subscriptions.
Pick-4 subscriptions are available beginning at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 6. All audiences who wish to purchase tickets to four or more season events can do so with a Pick-4 subscription, saving up to 20% for each event while accessing the best seats in the house.
Purchase fixed subscriptions to any of our three classical music series: Chamber Arts, Piano Recital or Vocal Ensemble Series today! Subscribers get discounted pricing and access to prime seating every season.
Single tickets will be available on Thursday, June 20 at 11 a.m.
Online: tickets.duke.edu/dukearts
Phone: 919-684-4444
In Person: Tues-Fri; 11am-4pm
Duke University Box Office
The Bryan Center
125 Science Drive Durham, NC 27708
