• Yassine El Mansouri Photography

    The World's Largest Shakespeare Collection

    The Folger Shakespeare Library, established on Capitol Hill in 1932 as a gift to the American people, is home to the world’s largest collection of First Folios, the book that gave us Shakespeare. Learn more about the First Folio and see other treasures from the Shakespeare collection.

    About the First Folio Shakespeare Collection

  • Maurice Jones as Mark Antony in JULIUS CAESAR, 2014. Photo: Teresa Wood.

    Lend Me Your Ears

    The Folger’s Shakespeare Unlimited podcast features interviews with scholars, authors, directors, and actors about Shakespeare’s works, his world, and his enduring influence. Want more listening material? Stream excerpts from full-cast audio recordings of seven Shakespeare plays, including Julius Caesar.

    Podcast Scene Excerpts

  • You're Invited to Our Virtual Gala

    Join us for an evening of wit, entertainment, and celebration online with our friends Gala Co-Chair José Andrés, Sir Simon Russell Beale, and more. Watch and enjoy on demand.

    Watch Now Support Us

  • Lloyd Wolf

    Studying and Teaching Shakespeare’s Plays

    Visit The Folger Shakespeare to read the full, searchable text of all of Shakespeare's plays, along with scene summaries, essays, and textual notes. To further support teachers, Folger Education is sharing free resources and ideas for teaching during COVID-19.

    The Folger Shakespeare Teaching During COVID-19

  • KieranTimberlake/OLIN

    Building Renovation

    Our historic building is undergoing a major renovation to expand public space, improve accessibility, and enhance the experience for all who come here. The project is supported by the $50 million Wonder of Will campaign.

    About the Renovation The Wonder of Will

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STAGING SHAKESPEARE

Charlotte Cushman

Charlotte Cushman was a 19th-century theatrical icon known for playing traditionally male roles like Romeo and Hamlet. Read the story of her dramatic debut as Lady Macbeth in this excerpt from a new biography by Tana Wojczuk, and listen to a podcast episode about Cushman’s remarkable life and career.

Read the Excerpt Listen to the Podcast

SHAKESPEARE’S LANGUAGE

The Political Insect

Shakespeare and other early modern creatives were fascinated with bees as metaphors for human behavior, especially when it came to politics and government. The Archbishop of Canterbury’s speech in Henry V is just one example.

Read the Blog Post Read the Speech

EARLY MODERN LIFE

Controlling Dreams

Ominous dreams are used to great dramatic effect in plays such as Shakespeare’s Richard III. Here are five early modern solutions for nightmares... including gems and dragon tongue.

Read the Blog Post About Richard III

FROM THE DIRECTOR

Because the Folger presents the human experience in all of its complexity and aspiration, we must be part of undoing the legacy of hurt, racial injustice, and pain. Calling out completely unacceptable violence against African Americans, including the killing of George Floyd, is only part of what we must do. It is a start. But we must also address this legacy in our thinking and actions.
Michael Witmore
Folger Shakespeare Library Director
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  • Folger Theatre's 2020/21 Season

    Folger Theatre goes "On The Road" at venues across the DC region, including the National Building Museum, Round House Theatre, and Theater J. Follow us for news & performance dates in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Subscribe today to enjoy all the benefits that come with being a Folger Theatre subscriber.

    Subscriber Info

  • Folger Consort 2020/21 Season

    The upcoming Consort season of five concerts takes its inspiration from five great European rivers. Performances will take place at St. Mark's Church on Capitol Hill and the Washington National Cathedral. Follow us for news and schedule updates in response to COVID-19. Subscriptions and subscriber benefits are available.

    Subscriber & Season Info

  • Folger Poetry 2020/21 Season

    Join us for a season of virtual and in-person readings by emerging and established voices. Fall and winter readings live-streamed from the homes of Emily Dickinson and Abraham Lincoln. Subcribe to the full season for $50.  

    Subscriber & Season Info

Upcoming Folger Events & Programs

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Three costume designs from the Earle Hyman Collection

New Acquisition

The Earle Hyman Collection

Earlier this year, the Folger was privileged to receive the Earle Hyman Collection, including many of the actor’s personal papers, photographs, and theatrical ephemera, as a gift from his family and friends.

About the Collection