The cast of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Photo: Brittany DIliberto.
Every week, there’s something new happening at The Playhouse. Check out what’s on this week, including a final performance from The Frontera Project, hip-hop Shakespeare workshops and a concert by Malik Work, backstage tours, and more.
Visit The Playhouse at the National Building Museum Thursday – Monday, 11 am – 4 pm.
See Folger Theatre’s magical A Midsummer Night’s Dream Tuesday – Sunday. Doors open for evening performances at 6:30 pm.
Visit our Pop-Up Shop for Folger and Midsummer merchandise before and after performances.
The Frontera Project. Photo: Christina Byrne.
Monday, August 1
The Frontera Project: Late Night Performance | 8 pm
The Frontera Project wraps up their residency at the Museum with a special Late Night performance of their compassionate, joyful bilingual show about life on the US-Mexico border. Doors open at 6 pm: before the show, catch tunes by Latin band Sol y Rumba and grab small bites and drinks.
Tuesday, August 2
A Midsummer Night’s Dream | 8 pm
Shake up your summer with Shakespeare’s most magical comedy live on The Playhouse’s custom-built Festival Stage!
Wednesday, August 3
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Relaxed Performance | 4 pm
This performance relaxes the ambience in the auditorium and theater “rules.” These matinees are ideal for people with autism, sensory sensitivities, or other social, learning, or cognitive disabilities and neurodivergences, and others who would benefit from a relaxed theater experience.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream | 8 pm
Shake up your summer with Shakespeare’s most magical comedy live on The Playhouse’s custom-built Festival Stage!
Thursday, August 4
Malik Work. Photo: Peter Cooper.
Music on the Lawn: Malik Work’s That Purple Juice | 6:30 pm
In Malik Work’s lighthearted musical Midsummer spinoff, an enterprising sprite breaks away from Titania’s crew of fairies and engages in a hustle that just may change the world. With Natie on violin and sampler and dance by Lamazing Lamae Caparas. Food truck Rocklands serves up wood-smoked barbecue.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream | 8 pm
Shake up your summer with Shakespeare’s most magical comedy live on The Playhouse’s custom-built Festival Stage!
Friday, August 5
Hip-hop Shakespeare Workshop with Malik Work (Ages 11+) | 2 pm
Actor-writer-musician Malik Work leads an interactive workshop that combines Shakespeare and hip-hop theater.
But A Dream Poetry Workshop | 6 pm
Dive into the creative world of dreams with poetry as your guide. Folger Poetry curator Teri Cross Davis leads a ninety-minute generative poetry workshop with close readings of works by Lucille Clifton, Aracelis Girmay, Langston Hughes, and more, and provides prompts to keep you going on your own poetry journey.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream | 8 pm
Shake up your summer with Shakespeare’s most magical comedy live on The Playhouse’s custom-built Festival Stage!
Saturday, August 6
Hip-hop Shakespeare Workshop with Malik Work (Ages 6 – 10) | 12:30 pm
Face-painting | 1 – 4 pm
A Midsummer Night’s Dream | 4:30 and 8 pm
Shake up your summer with Shakespeare’s most magical comedy live on The Playhouse’s custom-built Festival Stage!
Sunday, August 7
Hip-hop Shakespeare Workshop with Malik Work (Ages 6 – 10) | 12:30 pm
Face-painting | 1 – 4 pm
A Midsummer Night’s Dream | 7 pm
Shake up your summer with Shakespeare’s most magical comedy live on The Playhouse’s custom-built Festival Stage!
Daily Programs and Activities
Explore the Midsummer Forest
Wander through a giant pop-up book based on William Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Storytime and Activity | 11:30 am
The Insider’s Tour: The Building, The Forest, The Playhouse | 1 and 2 pm
Join Folger docents and staff for a 45-min interactive experience that will give you and inside view of The Playhouse. See what happens behind the scenes as we create theater, then jump onstage and have fun with some of Shakespeare’s juiciest lines.
Scavenger Hunt
Search the Midsummer Forest and the Museum’s other exhibitions to discover 9 mischievous characters and the delightful plot of Shakespeare’s play.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream Crafts
Build Your Own Globe Theater
Theater design plays a role in how audiences experience the show. Build your own paper model of London’s Globe Theatre and see how plays in this venue differ from today.
Shakespeare Mad Libs, Costumes, and Crowns
Elizabethan City by Design
Design your own version of 1600s London, the one Shakespeare knew. Learn how cities of that time differed from cities today and examine the role theater plays in our urban world.
Questions? Call the Folger Box Office at 202-544-7077.
The Playhouse at the National Building Museum
401 F Street, NW
Metro: Judiciary Square
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