Staging Shakespeare
Teller on his magical 'Macbeth' at Folger Theatre
Ian Merrill Peakes (Macbeth), Macbeth, conceived and directed by Teller and Aaron Posner, Folger Theatre in a co-production with Two River Theater Company, 2008. Carol Pratt. “Our premise is that Macbeth is Shakespeare’s supernatural horror thriller, and should be done…
Your guide to streaming Shakespeare in March
Streaming platforms are a great way to get some Shakespeare while you’re social distancing. Here’s what’s streaming now, featuring Anthony Hopkins, Bollywood, “The Twilight Zone,” and more.
Beware the Ides of March — and confusing interpretations of 'Julius Caesar'
Brutus (Anthony Cochrane, left) and Julius Caesar (Michael Sharon, right), Julius Caesar, directed by Robert Richmond, Folger Theatre, 2014. Photo by Teresa Wood. In 1599, in the 40th year of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, when she had no heir or obvious…
What's onstage at Shakespeare theaters in February
Every month, we check in with our theater partners to give you a look at Shakespeare across the United States. Here’s what’s on in February.
10 acclaimed directors on Shakespeare and their work
A few of favorite quotes from some of the directors we’ve had on the Folger’s Shakespeare Unlimited podcast since 2014.
"This wide and universal theater": Tricks of the theatrical trade in Shakespeare's plays
“Write what you know” is the age-old wisdom young writers are always given, and though he never wrote a backstage comedy (or, for that matter, a backstage history, tragedy, or romance), William Shakespeare filled his plays with the tricks of…
What's onstage at Shakespeare theaters in January
We reached out to our theater partners across the US to see what Shakespeare plays they have onstage at the dawn of a new decade.
We asked 5 artistic directors: How did making Shakespeare change in the 2010s?
We asked five artistic directors from Shakespeare companies around the United States: How did making Shakespeare change between 2010 and 2020? Plus, we recap a wild decade for Shakespeare lovers.
Kenny Leon on Much Ado About Nothing
Director Kenny Leon’s production of Much Ado About Nothing mesmerized audiences during the Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park (now available on PBS’s Great Performances). Leon shares how he approaches a new production and how Shakespeare’s comedies speak to our present moment.
What's onstage at Shakespeare theaters in November
Every month, we check in with our theater partners across the United States to see what’s onstage. Here’s a look at Shakespeare in November.
Shakespeare and opera: Jealousy and tragedy in Verdi's Otello
Leah Crocetto (Desdemona) and Russell Thomas (Otello) in WNO’s Otello. Photo by Scott Suchman. I find it fascinating that Verdi’s last two operas were both inspired by Shakespeare: Otello (1887) and Falstaff (1893), yet they are very different in story,…
The King, Prince Hal, and Falstaff
One of Shakespeare’s most moving love triangles isn’t romantic, it’s filial. The tension between Prince Hal and his two father figures fuels Shakespeare’s Henry IV and resonates throughout Henry V.