• Julie Schumacher, The Shakespeare Requirement

    Author Julie Schumacher talks about her new book which features the hilarious return of Jason Fitger, now the newly appointed chair of the Department of English, and how Shakespeare might just help him win the battle for his department at fictional Payne University.

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  • King John

    Witness Shakespeare's earliest king as he attempts to maintain control of his crown and his countrymen. A rarely performed but timely history play in its first production by Folger Theatre.

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  • Courtesy of the Churchill Archives Centre

    Churchill's Shakespeare

    A towering leader during World War II, Prime Minister Winston Churchill was also a lifelong admirer of Shakespeare. An upcoming Folger exhibition traces Shakespeare’s influence on his speeches and ideas. On view through Jan 6, 2019.

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  • Lloyd Wolf

    Classroom Conversations about Identity and Difference

    Six stand-alone lessons—and the accompanying scripts from The Merchant of Venice and District Merchants, video clips, and resource lists—designed by Folger Education to serve as guides for conversations in your classroom.

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  • Brittany Diliberto

    An Early Modern Biscuit for Your Buffet

    Around 1762, Constance Hall recorded this recipe for Cog’s Biscuits—a biscuit that’s fluffy and sweet and savory and firm and spiced, all at the same time. In honor of Thanksgiving, a new recipe for your table from our collection.

    Cog's Biscuits Pumpkin Pie in 17th-century England

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WILL IN THE WORLD

Shakespeare and World War I

Spring 1916: Shakespeare commemorations pop up across America in honor of the 300th anniversary of the Bard’s death, while remembrances in Europe play against the background of World War I.

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ICONIC MOMENTS

Drawing Shakespeare

Artist Paul Glenshaw takes a close look at Romeo, Juliet, and Juliet's Nurse as he draws the scene from Romeo and Juliet depicted in one of the bas-reliefs on the front of the Folger building.

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SHAKESPEARE, THEN AND NOW

King John Jams: Music to Break Your Treaties By

Queen. Crosby and Clooney. The soundtrack from Hamilton. The Shirelles. A Spotify playlist that Shakespeare and King John can relate to - and that just might rock your world.

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FROM THE DIRECTOR

Shakespeare is our middle name. We are stewards of a precious resource of world heritage and culture—a living tradition that offers something truly elevating.
Michael Witmore
Folger Shakespeare Library Director
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  • King John: Now on Stage

    "Mad world, mad kings..." Shakespeare's rarely performed, but timely history play of raging ambition and flawed leadership that shakes the worlds of France and England. Featuring Kate Eastwood Norris and Holly Twyford. "The heart of King John pulsates with relevance" (Wash Post). On stage through Dec. 2.

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  • Become a 2018/19 Theatre Subscriber

    A season featuring characters that shook their worlds and demonstrate how theater has the power to shake our own. Join us and see the world anew: a smash comedy from the UK, a rarely seen Shakespeare history play, and a delicious Shakespeare comedy. Subscribers receive discounted tickets, free exchanges, and other benefits.

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  • Emily Dickinson Birthday Tribute: Dec. 10

    Poet Jen Bervin and scholar Martha Nell Smith read and discuss Dickinson's poetry on Monday, December 10 at 7:30pm. Following the reading, Dickinson's famous black cake will be served at the reception.

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  • Folger Consort: Seasonal English Music

    Celebrate the holidays with a repast of English music ranging from the earliest carols to later arrangements. Called "the best Christmas concert in Washington" (The DCist), this annual concert of beloved Yuletide music plays December 14 - 23 in our festively decorated Elizabethan theater.

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Upcoming at the Folger

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Folger Education

Classroom Resources for Teaching Shakespeare

Folger Education works alongside teachers to develop engaging, effective tools for helping students have successful classroom encounters with Shakespeare and other complex texts.

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