Theater and performance
District Merchants Set Design
Scenic Designer Tony Cisek has designed tens of shows at the Folger, including Mary Stuart, Julius Caesar, Twelfth Night, and Henry V. His assistant designer Paige Hathaway recently designed A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. Read Paige’s insights into the design of District Merchants below and join us…
District Merchants Rehearsal Photos
The District Merchants team continues to rehearse in preparation for their move to the theater next week. Check out photos from rehearsal below and join us for this world premiere production. Don’t forget, May 31 is Pay-What-You-Will night – tickets will be distributed at…
District Merchants Costume Design
District Merchants costume designer Meghan Raham previously designed the sets for the Folger Theatre productions of The Conference of the Birds and Romeo and Juliet. Learn about her design process for this “Uneasy Comedy” below, and join us for District Merchants starting May 31. Research and design sketches…
A Midsummer Night's Dream Costume Design
Costume Designer Devon Painter previously designed productions of Cyrano, Macbeth, and Measure for Measure at the Folger before turning her talents to A Midsummer Night’s Dream this season. You can see costume renderings from her past Folger productions on her website. From Devon – From the…
A Midsummer Night's Dream Set Design
Set Designer Paige Hathaway previously designed Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead at the Folger, and returns this season with A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Learn more about her design for Shakespeare’s sylvan romance below. From Paige – My design process for the set of Midsummer started…
Midsummer Dramaturg's Notes
Folger Dramaturg Michele Osherow. There’s a fascination with dreams in Shakespeare, though Midsummer is the only play to announce one in its title. What’s odd is that aside from Hermia’s unnerving vision in the forest, no dreams are dreamt. Instead,…
Pericles Dramaturg’s Notes
Folger Resident Dramaturg, Michele Osherow Pericles, Prince of Tyre is unusual among Shakespeare’s plays. The hero travels Odysseus-like from place to place on a fantastical quest to showcase honor, announce virtue, and dodge the fury of a perverse king. Pericles…
Ian Merrill Peakes: R&G Previews and Opening
Ian Merrill Peakes. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead is officially open! Did that last Monday, to a full house of totally engaged and laughing patrons. Opening nights are a funny thing. It used to be that I hoped for opening night to…
Ian Merrill Peakes: Working on Set
Actor Ian Merrill Peakes (“The Player”) continues sharing his thoughts on the Folger Theatre production of Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. Learn more about Ian at the Folger and read his previous posts. I have done (and it’s true,…
Louis Butelli: Speaking Shakespeare and Schiller
Nancy Robinette (Hanna) and Louis Butelli (Sir Amias Paulet) in Mary Stuart. Hi again from your friend Louis Butelli! Here at the Folger Theatre, our production of Mary Stuart is up and running, and you should definitely come and see…
Louis Butelli: Mary Stuart Tech
Louis Butelli as Sir Amias Paulet Greetings from your friend Louis Butelli. Here at Folger Theatre, Schiller’s Mary Stuart opened last night! Peter Oswald’s electric new translation is directed by Richard Clifford, and stars Kate Eastwood Norris as Mary, Queen…
Oswald and Armitage: Adapting Classics for the Modern Stage
Next Tuesday, February 3rd, British poet-playwrights Simon Armitage and Peter Oswald will be at the Folger to celebrate their work in an evening of readings entitled “Drama and Verse.” Peter Oswald and Simon Armitage. Both poets are distinguished for their…