This week at The Playhouse: August 22 - 28

Danaya Esperanza as Puck in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Photo: Brittany Diliberto.

“I have had a most rare vision. I have had a dream past the wit of man to say what dream it was.”

– Bottom, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 4.1

It’s been a dream, but it’s nearly time to wake up. This is the final week to visit The Playhouse or catch Folger Theatre’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the National Building Museum. But don’t worry: there’s still lots to do. This week, catch a reading of a new play, join a generative poetry workshop, take a tour of our magical theater, 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.

A Four-Pack of tickets is a great way to see the show. Family Four-Packs include two regular tickets and two tickets for attendees under the age of 18 for only $120. Regular Four-Packs include four regular tickets and four drinks for just $160. Valid Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday evenings. Contact our box office to book at (202) 544-7077.

Visit our Pop-Up Shop for Folger and Midsummer merchandise before and after performances.

Monday, August 22

Staged Reading: Call Me Olivia | 6:30 pm
She’s one of Shakespeare’s most infamous characters… can she at least get a first name? In Scarlett Bermingham’s new play, Lady M and the women of the “Scottish Play” gets some well-deserved extra stage time. Featuring Midsummer’s Jacob Ming-Trent, Renea S. Brown, Sabrina Lynne Sawyer and Kathryn Zoerb and beloved DC actors Craig Wallace, Kimberly Gilbert, Regina Aquino, and Josh Adams.

Tuesday, August 23

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!

L to R: Rotimi Agbabiaka, Kathryn Zoerb, Jacob Ming-Trent, Sabrina Lynne Sawyer, and the cast of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Photo: Brittany Diliberto.

Wednesday, August 24

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

Thursday, August 25

A Midsummer Night’s Dream | 8 pm

Friday, August 26

Photo: Lloyd Wolf.

But a Dream: A Poetry Workshop | 6 pm
Taking cues from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, we dive into the creative world of dreams with poetry as our guide. Folger Poetry Curator Teri Cross Davis leads this 90-minute generative poetry workshop with close readings of poems by Lucille Clifton, Aracelis Girmay, Langston Hughes, and more, providing participants with prompts to help them continue their poetry journey.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream | 8 pm

Saturday, August 27

Face painting | 1 – 4 pm

A Midsummer Night’s Dream | 4:30 and 8 pm

Sunday, August 28

Face painting | 1 – 4 pm

A Midsummer Night’s Dream | 7 pm

Daily Programs and Activities

Playing dress-up at The Playhouse. Photo: Lloyd Wolf.

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 theatre 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