Carolina Theatre Takes the Show on the Road with Cirque Kikasse’s “SANTÉ!”

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Free Centennial performances bring gravity-defying circus atop a food truck to Durham, Hillsborough, and Pittsboro

DURHAM, N.C. — September 9, 2026 — This October, a food truck from Montreal will roll into communities across the Triangle carrying something unexpected: acrobats.

As part of its Centennial programming, the Carolina Theatre of Durham will present Cirque Kikasse’s “SANTÉ!,” a high-energy outdoor circus production performed on and around a fully-functional food truck. Produced by Myra Weise of Proxemic Media, the engagement will bring free, family-friendly performances to several locations throughout Durham, Hillsborough and Pittsboro, from October 8, 2026, through October 17, 2026.

Created by Quebec-based Cirque Kikasse, “SANTÉ!” combines dazzling acrobatics, physical comedy, audience interaction, and inventive staging in a celebration of gathering together. Audiences will watch as the troupe prepares its unusual terrace for service, transforming ordinary tables and chairs into a towering 35-foot balancing act. Cleanup becomes trampoline-powered comedy, and a playful explosion of popcorn turns the performance into a feast for the senses.

The mobile production reflects the Carolina Theatre’s commitment to marking its 100th anniversary not only by celebrating its history but also by expanding where and how audiences can experience live performances.

“For a century, the Carolina Theatre has served as a place where people come together to experience the transformative power of the arts,” said Randy McKay, President and CEO of the Carolina Theatre of Durham. “As we celebrate this milestone, it is equally important that we move beyond our own walls and bring that experience directly into our community. ‘SANTÉ!’ allows us to meet communities where they are and turn familiar public spaces into places of surprise, connection, and shared wonder.”

Rather than asking audiences to enter a traditional theater, “SANTÉ!” brings the theater to them. The specially designed food truck serves as food and drink service. transportation, set, stage, and acrobatic apparatus, allowing the company to transform gathering places across the region into temporary open-air performance venues.

“There is a special kind of joy that comes from watching people of different generations laugh, gasp, and experience something extraordinary together,” said producer Myra Weise, founder of Proxemic Media. “These performances are an invitation for the whole family to step away from the everyday, gather with their neighbors, and share in the joy of live performance. I love that ‘SANTÉ!’ can arrive in the heart of a community and create elation almost instantly.”

With its combination of technical virtuosity and irresistible playfulness, “SANTÉ!” offers plenty to captivate experienced circus fans while remaining accessible and welcoming to first-time audiences. The performances are free and open to the public. Food and drink offerings are available for a cost.

Cirque Kikasse’s Centennial performances are sponsored by Duke Community Affairs and Duke Arts, Measurement Inc., The Forest at Duke, NC Arts Council, FM Kirby Foundation, Fox Family Foundation, and Triangle Community Foundation.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8 at 6:30 PM RTP 800 Building (to the right of BoxYard RTP) 800 Park Offices Drive, Durham, NC 27709

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9 at 6:30 PM Golden Belt – Green Space / Hi-Wire Brewing 800 Taylor Street, Durham, NC 27701

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16 at 6 PM Scrap Exchange [Durham County] 2050 Chapel Hill Road, Durham, NC 27707

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17 at 2 PM Garland Hall & Salem Street (behind Claymakers) [Durham County] Exact Address Coming Soon!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11 at 2 PM Woodcrest Farm [Orange County] 5604 Dairyland Road, Hillsborough, NC 27278

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15 at 6 PM The Plant [Chatham County] 220 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro, NC 27312

For all Cirque Kikasse performances, audience members are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. For accessibility information, weather updates, and complete performance details, please visit: carolinatheatre.org

ABOUT CIRQUE KIKASSE Cirque Kikasse is a Quebec-based contemporary circus company known for inventive outdoor productions that combine exceptional acrobatic skill, physical comedy, theatricality, and close interaction with audiences. In “SANTÉ!,” the company transforms a food truck into a dynamic circus stage, turning familiar objects and everyday activities into moments of breathtaking spectacle.

ABOUT THE CAROLINA THEATRE OF DURHAM Carolina Theatre of Durham is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that manages the city-owned Carolina Theatre at 309 W. Morgan Street, Durham, NC 27701. The Carolina Theatre of Durham is dedicated to presenting vibrant, thought-provoking film and live performances that contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of downtown Durham and the Triangle Region. Visit carolinatheatre.org for more information.

MEDIA CONTACT Megan Farrell Marketing Manager, Carolina Theatre of Durham megan@carolinatheatre.org