The Shakespeare & Beyond blog features a wide range of Shakespeare-related topics: the early modern period in which he lived, the ways his plays have been interpreted and staged over the past four centuries, the enduring power of his characters and language, and more.
Shakespeare & Beyond
Shakespeare & Beyond also explores the topics that shape our experience of Shakespeare today: trends in performance, the latest discoveries and scholarship, news stories, pop culture, interesting books, new movies, the rich context of theater and literary history, and more. As the word “beyond” suggests, from time to time Shakespeare & Beyond also covers topics that are not directly linked to Shakespeare.
Questions or comments? You can reach us at shakespeareandbeyond@folger.edu.
Shakespeare's patriotic empathy
Austin Tichenor writes about Shakespeare’s history plays, the political considerations of the day, and patriotic portrayals centuries later.
Taffety Punk and Bootleg Shakespeare: Henry VI, Part 3
Taffety Punk presents Henry VI Part 3 for its 2018 Bootleg Shakespeare performance, in which actors perform after only one day of rehearsal.
Six things to look for when you watch "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
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.
Thomas Jefferson and Shakespeare
“Shakespeare must be singled out by one who wishes to learn the full powers of the English language,” Thomas Jefferson wrote.
Shakespeare Unlimited: Hearing the voices of discovery
In our Shakespeare Unlimited podcast, now celebrating its 100th episode, you can hear so many surprising and often first-person stories by scholars, musicians, authors, actors, and others on all manner of Shakespearean topics.
Celebrating 100 episodes of Shakespeare Unlimited
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…
Play on! Q&A: Elise Thoron and Julie Felise Dubiner on translating 'The Merchant of Venice'
The playwright and dramaturg who worked on translating ‘The Merchant of Venice’ share insights into the play and the translation process.
What's onstage at Shakespeare theaters in June
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.
Excerpt - Shakespeare in the Theatre: Peter Sellars
This excerpt from Ayanna Thompson’s book explores Peter Sellars’s “uniquely American take on William Shakespeare” and his 1980 production of King Lear.
Explore promptbooks from the 1950s festival Shakespeare Under the Stars
The Folger collection contains a number of prompt books from Shakespeare Under the Stars productions, which were gifts from Arthur Lithgow.
Questionable parenting: Shakespeare and the father portrayals in his plays
What kind of father was Shakespeare? The fathers he portrays in his plays don’t always come off looking so good, but he also explores parental regret.
How Restoration playwrights reshaped Shakespeare’s plays to fit changing political norms and theatrical tastes
Restoration Shakespeare was a complex theatrical experience that integrated song, music, dance, and acting; indeed, music and dance, alongside stage machines and movable scenes, were central to the success of Restoration theatre more generally.