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The Reading Room

Booking and details

This event has passed.

Dates January 19, 20 and 21, 2023

Tickets $25 for all 4 readings for $25, $50 All access pass for all 4 readings and all pre-performance talks, Morning coffee, and more!

This event has passed, but we invite you to join us for the 2024 festival

Celebrating New Theater in the New Year

Featuring works inspired by and in conversation with Shakespeare

The Reading Room 2023 plays include:

A Room in the Castle by Lauren Gunderson, directed by Eddie DeHais, Michele Osherow, dramaturg

How does a woman survive the court of Denmark? A Room in the Castle re the stories of the women of Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

Julius X by Al Letson, directed by Nicole Brewer, John Proctor III, dramaturg

Set in 1965, Julius X intermixes the lives of Julius Caesar and slain civil rights leader Malcolm X, re-envisioning Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar with a new perspective.

Our Verse in Time to Come by Malik Work and Karen Ann Daniels, in collaboration with and directed by Devin E. Haqq, John Proctor III, dramaturg

Inspired by the works and words of Shakespeare, Our Verse in Time to Come bridges the past with the present and asks whose stories should remain and who’s responsible for their survival?

World premiere Folger Theatre commission

Hamlet bilingual adaption by Reynaldo Piniella and Emily Lyon, translation by Christin Eve Cato,  directed by Tatiana Pandiani

Hamlet is a Black, Latinx prince in this radical bilingual reimagining of Shakespeare’s tragedy, with text infused by the Spanish spoken in present-day New York City.

Each reading will be followed by a conversation with the playwrights, directors, members of the press and scholars.

Playwrights

Karen Ann Daniels

Playwright

Karen Ann Daniels

Lauren M. Gunderson
Lauren Gunderson

Playwright

Lauren M. Gunderson

Al Letson

Playwright

Al Letson

Emily Lyon
Emily Lyon

Playwright

Emily Lyon

Reynaldo Piniella
Reynaldo Piniella

Playwright

Reynaldo Piniella

Malik Work
Malik Work

Playwright

Malik Work

Directors

Nicole Brewer
Nicole Brewer

Director

Nicole Brewer

Eddie DeHais

Director

Eddie DeHais

Devin E. Haqq
Devin E. Haqq

Director

Devin E. Haqq

Tatiana Pandiani
Tatiana Pandiani

Director

Tatiana Pandiani

Dramaturgs

COVID policy

We look forward to welcoming you to in-person performances. Please note: All attendees are required to wear a mask, and proof of vaccination is not required for audiences. Fully vaccinated artists will not be wearing masks while speaking. Folger staff will remain masked at all times. The Folger is committed to maintaining the highest level of health and safety precautions around COVID-19.

Folger Theatre Sponsors

With special thanks to
Share Fund

Season Sponsors
Maygene and Steve Daniels
Helen and David Kenney and Family
The late Neal T. Turtell

Production Sponsors
Nicky Cymrot
Nancy and Steve Howard
Robin and Roger Millay

Contributing Sponsors
Keith and Celia Arnaud
Louis and Bonnie Cohen
Denise Gwyn Ferguson
Margaret and David Gardner

Associate Sponsors
Timothy J. Carlton
Dr. David E. Johnson and Ms. Wendy Frieman
Peter and Mary Jay Michel
Gail Kern Paster