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All 105 posts by

Ben Lauer

Ben Lauer is the Folger's Social Media and Communications Manager. He is the web producer of the Folger's Shakespeare Unlimited podcast, and hosts the Folger's Shakespeare Lightning Round series on Instagram.
Quiz: Which copy of "Midsummer" are you?
IMAGE: Collage of copies of
Shakespeare and Beyond

Quiz: Which copy of "Midsummer" are you?

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Ben Lauer

The Folger’s collection includes a lot of editions of Shakespeare’s plays; some copies of these editions have their own, unique stories. Which of these special copies of Shakespeare’s classic A Midsummer Night’s Dream matches your personality? Take our quiz to…

Six things to look for when you watch "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
Shakespeare and Beyond

Six things to look for when you watch "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

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Ben Lauer

What should you watch for in a production of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream?” We asked some friends what they look for in this classic play.

Celebrating 100 episodes of Shakespeare Unlimited
Shakespeare and Beyond

Celebrating 100 episodes of Shakespeare Unlimited

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Ben Lauer

Today, we’re releasing the 100th episode of our podcast, Shakespeare Unlimited. Since 2015, when we kicked things off with an episode about Nelson Mandela and the Robben Island Shakespeare, we’ve met the people who answer letters to Juliet, chatted with rappers (on more…

What's onstage at Shakespeare theaters in June
Photo: Rosalind stands alone onstange with her arms outstretched in
Shakespeare and Beyond

What's onstage at Shakespeare theaters in June

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Ben Lauer

Each month, we bring you a snapshot of Shakespeare in performance across America. Grab your picnic basket and follow us: June is the start of summer Shakespeare season, and we know just where to go.

What's onstage at Shakespeare theaters in May
Shakespeare and Beyond

What's onstage at Shakespeare theaters in May

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Author
Ben Lauer

Each month, we bring you a snapshot of Shakespeare in performance across America. What’s onstage this May? Find out.

Imagining Shakespeare: What's your favorite "statue scene" from "The Winter's Tale?"
Photograph of the statue scene from Folger Theatre's 2009 production of
Shakespeare and Beyond

Imagining Shakespeare: What's your favorite "statue scene" from "The Winter's Tale?"

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Author
Ben Lauer

We asked our followers on social media to share their favorite stagings of the “statue scene” from “The Winter’s Tale” with the hashtag #ImaginingShakespeare. 

Imagining Shakespeare: What happens in the statue scene from "The Winter’s Tale?”
Illustration of the statue scene from the end of Shakespeare's
Shakespeare and Beyond

Imagining Shakespeare: What happens in the statue scene from "The Winter’s Tale?”

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Author
Ben Lauer

Spoiler alert: something magical happens in the last scene of Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale.” We dug into the Folger collection to explore.

Seven quotes (and a song) from Shakespeare for New Year’s
Shakespeare and Beyond

Seven quotes (and a song) from Shakespeare for New Year’s

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Ben Lauer

A bit of Shakespeare to help you reflect on the past year, plan for the next, or just impress your friends or family with a well-placed quote in a New Year’s Eve toast.

What's my line? Exploring promptbooks for Othello
Shakespeare and Beyond

What's my line? Exploring promptbooks for Othello

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Author
Ben Lauer

Promptbooks let us peer into the minds of some of history’s greatest theater-makers and see how they imagined Shakespeare’s plays.

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