Esther French
How the First Folio tour came together
First Folio! The Book That Gave Us Shakespeare opening reception at the Mead Art Museum. May 9, 2016. Photo by Maria Stenzel. On a typical book tour, authors travel to read from their work, sign copies, and give talks. But…
Following the First Folio tour to Maryland, Wisconsin, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Tennessee
The First Folio tour is coming to an end! These are the last tour stops where the First Folio will be on display, after which the books will be returning home to the Folger Shakespeare Library, where they will join the…
Hearing island voices: Roomful of Teeth's Caroline Shaw talks Shakespeare and 'The Tempest'
In this special anniversary year for Shakespeare, the Folger has commissioned Caroline Shaw to compose a new vocal piece inspired by The Tempest. Shaw, who has toured with Kanye West and is the youngest person to win the Pulitzer Prize…
What's onstage in November at Shakespeare theaters across America
Soldiers returning home. Armies clashing in a bloody struggle for power. Government officials abusing their authority. These are the Shakespeare characters populating the post-election landscape at our theater partners around the U.S. this month. Henry VI Two of the Folger’s…
Shakespeare and early modern girlhood
The word “girl” means different things to us today than it meant in the Middle Ages, and Shakespeare was writing at a time when that meaning was changing, as Deanne Williams of York University in Toronto explains.
Where the First Folio tour went in October: Highlights from Alabama, Minnesota, New Jersey, Utah, Virginia, and Washington DC
“To see or not to see… is there really any question?” Excited selfies with the First Folio continue to crop up on social media as the Folger’s nationwide tour, First Folio! The Book That Gave Us Shakespeare, wraps up its…
From jazzercise to Rococo garden: Four different takes on Love's Labor's Lost
In Shakespeare’s Love’s Labor’s Lost, four friends forswear women so that they can focus on their studies. But, of course, as soon as they do, four lovely ladies enter their lives. Oh, what to do? Romance and comedy ensue. Four of our…
Six great Shakespeare quotes about power and politics
Shakespeare has a lot to say about power and politics in his plays. These six quotes touch on what it means to be a king, the power of the law, what separates royal from common, and speaking truth to authority. Folger…
If Shakespeare characters were running for president, who would you vote for?
In an election year, we couldn’t resist creating a quiz about Shakespeare characters running for president. This is a little like ISideWith, but for Shakespeare fans. You answer the questions, and we match you with a candidate. So, who would you…
How to counteract the curse of Macbeth (er, The Scottish Play)
Don’t say “Macbeth” in a theater, or you’ll be cursed. Or at least that’s how the old superstition goes. That’s why you’ll often hear actors refer to it as “The Scottish Play.” It’s one of many stories connected with the performance…
7 ideas for a Shakespeare-themed Halloween costume
Want to dress up as Malvolio from Twelfth Night? Or one of the witches from Macbeth? We’ve got classic and creative Shakespeare costume ideas for Halloween.
Summer memories from the First Folio tour: Ohio, North Dakota, Alaska, and Colorado
“Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.” It may be October, but we’re feeling a little nostalgic for all the places our First Folio! The Book That Gave Us Shakespeare touring exhibition traveled this summer. See a few social media highlights…