• 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

  • Annie Finch reading at the Folger in 2019. Photo: Lloyd Wolf

    O.B. Hardison Poetry

    Get in a Halloween mood by watching clips from last year’s I Put a Spell On You poetry reading with Kiki Petrosino and Annie Finch, and join us on Oct 22 for a virtual reading with Toi Derricotte as we begin our 52nd season of poetry.

    I Put a Spell On You Toi Derricotte

  • 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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ADAPTATION AND TRANSFORMATION

Strange Shakespeare

During the two centuries after Shakespeare’s death, his plays were constantly staged in theaters throughout the British Isles and their colonies—but often in forms that we would be hard pressed to recognize as “Shakespearean.” A new blog series explores these adaptations and transformations.

Transforming The Tempest The Weirder Sisters

PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

Encores: Love’s Labor’s Lost

Watch a clip from Folger Theatre’s 2019 production of Love’s Labor’s Lost, introduced by director Vivienne Benesch. This video is part of ENCORES, a weekly online series highlighting past performances and recalling the rich history of programming on the historic Folger stage.

Watch the Clip More Encores

STAGING SHAKESPEARE

Charlotte Cushman

Charlotte Cushman was a 19th-century theatrical icon known for playing traditionally male roles like Romeo and Hamlet. Listen to a podcast episode with Tana Wojczuk about Cushman’s remarkable life and career, and read an excerpt from Wojczuk’s new biography.

Listen to the Podcast Read the Excerpt

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
  • Shakespeare Lightning Round graphic

    Shakespeare Lightning Round

    Tune in on Instagram Live for a fun, fast-paced, Shakespearean chat show. We ask our guests 30 lightning-fast questions about their favorite—and least favorite—things about the Bard.

    Past and Upcoming Episodes

Upcoming Folger Events & Programs

View Full Calendar

Folger Education

Folger Teaching

During the pandemic, supporting teachers is more important than ever. Folger Education has launched its new online home for Teacher Members, Folger Teaching, where teachers can download lesson plans, participate in professional development workshops, and get connected to a wide range of related Folger programs and resources.

 

Folger Teaching