Hamlet
Portraits in Hamlet: ‘Look here upon this picture, and on this’
One of the oldest theatrical legends about Shakespeare is that he played the ghost in Hamlet. We know that Shakespeare was both an actor and a playwright, but we have no idea whether he acted this small, but memorable role.…
Gravedigger’s Tale On the Road in Mississippi
Actor Louis Butelli is traveling the world in Gravedigger’s Tale as part of the First Folio! The Book That Gave Us Shakespeare tour. Read an update from his travels below! Hello, friends! It’s your very own Gravedigger, Louis Butelli writing you. I recently…
Debating Ophelia’s Death—and Becoming a Better Teacher
I am an English teacher because of my English teachers. What dedication I have I learned from a man who had Paradise Lost taken off of his syllabus but came into work an hour early, each day, to teach…
Gravedigger's Tale On the Road in Florida
Actor Louis Butelli is traveling the world in Gravedigger’s Tale as part of the First Folio! The Book That Gave Us Shakespeare tour. Read an update from his travels below! Louis Butelli Hello again from your intrepid Gravedigger, Louis Butelli! Activities for Folger…
Hamlet on Wheels: Teaching Shakespeare in a Special Education Classroom, Part 2
(Image: Kathy Leonard) As promised, I’m back with the follow-up post on Hamlet on Wheels. This time, I’m sharing some practical suggestions that are essential for my special education classroom—and often beneficial for all learners. I primarily use Shakespeare…
“Conscience Does Make Cowards of Us All” - Embracing Your Fears While Teaching Shakespeare
(Image: Chasidy Burton) I have a confession to make. As a high school English teacher, I have not always been obsessed with teaching Shakespeare. Yikes! I know that makes me sound sacrilegious as a lover of language, but after…
Hamlet on Wheels: Teaching Shakespeare in a Special Education Classroom, Part 1
Wheels? Yes, wheels. All of my students are physically disabled, and many are diagnosed with intellectual disabilities as well. Able-bodied students can get up on their feet to perform. My students can’t get on their feet, but that doesn’t stop…
Hamlet wasn't always the prince with the common touch
When we think about Shakespeare on the stage we usually imagine two different historical moments: ‘then’ and ‘now’. ‘Then’ is Shakespeare’s lifetime, when Richard Burbage, the original Hamlet, first spoke ‘To be or not to be’ from the stage of…
Gravedigger's Tale
Gravedigger’s Tale is going on tour! Learn more and reserve for your organization today! Gravedigger’s Tale is a new interactive one-man play based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The play, developed by director Robert Richmond (Folger Theatre’s Julius Caesar, Richard III, Henry V and more), features the Gravedigger, who…
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…
A brief introduction to RDA
Below are four copies of Hamlet. They’re four editions of a French translation by Carlo Rusconi, and at first glance look fairly similar. However, they have some significant differences, such as publisher, date, and inclusion in a series. In order…
Louis Butelli: "This Our Lofty Scene"
Hello again from your pal Louis Butelli, currently playing Cassius in Folger Theatre’s Julius Caesar. We’re in the home stretch: we must close on December 7. Come on down and see us! One of the fascinating things about performing in…