"Shakespeare was able to give voice to the well of emotions I was having. It could hold all of what I was feeling. So I fell in love with it." Jacob Ming-Trent talks to the State of Shakespeare pod about how Shakespeare saved his life & "How Shakespeare Saved My Life": stateofshakespeare.com?p=9451

Shakespeare was familiar to George Washington and many other advocates for independence from Great Britain. They though that he embodied the American spirit and adapted him to their uniquely American needs. @heatherwolfe.bsky.social has more on the blog: www.folger.edu/blogs/shakes...

On our Collation blog, @arrannerispoli.bsky.social explores the cautionary tale of an English Civil War-era pamphlet about a barrister's descent into a life of crime and how the narrative was shaped by the political imperatives of the time. www.folger.edu/blogs/collat...

Tonight's performance of "How Shakespeare Saved My Life" has been canceled. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please call our box office at 202-544-7077 to rebook your ticket in another performance free of charge.

New today on Washington Unbound! Read @dctex.bsky.social's fantastic review of HOW SHAKESPEARE SAVED MY LIFE, playing through 7/5 at @folger.edu

James I was a multifaceted ruler who led a fascinating life. On the "Shakespeare Unlimited" podcast, historian and author Gareth Russell reveals the untold story of his life and loves. www.folger.edu/podcasts/sha...

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a perennial Shakespeare favorite. It’s really got everything – fairies, love triangles, a man who becomes part donkey. But what is Midsummer? And what is its connection to the play? www.folger.edu/blogs/shakes...

When the DC humidity hits, the best place to be is indoors. We’ve got you covered with "How Shakespeare Saved My Life," through July 5. Broadway star Jacob Ming-Trent lights up the stage while you stay cool in your seat. Grab a ticket (and then 10% off a cocktail) at folger.edu/saved

Michael Woestehoff of "The Washington Lobbyist" says "How Shakespeare Saved My Life" is a chance to "meet Shakespeare through someone who loves him. The Folger always welcomes, and this show extends that hand." 🎫 : folger.edu/saved thewashingtonlobbyist.com/shakespeare-...

For the 20th anniversary of "Slings & Arrows," @austintichenor.bsky.social writes about why the behind-the-scenes workings of a Shakespeare theater make for such great television: www.folger.edu/blogs/shakes...

One of Shakespeare’s most popular plays, with recent acclaimed productions from London’s West End to Central Park, "Romeo and Juliet" juxtaposes the joy of first love against a world divided by a blood feud. Explore some of its most well-known quotes: www.folger.edu/blogs/shakes...

19th century superstar Charlotte Cushman's final stage appearances included benefit performances of Shakespeare for Union troops during the American Civil War. Explore how the fundraising organizers thanked her with commemorative albums now in the Folger collection: www.folger.edu/blogs/shakes...

In "How Shakespeare Saved My Life," Broadway's Jacob Ming-Trent has one message: Shakespeare belongs to everyone. He spoke with @dctheaterarts.bsky.social about Shakespeare, creating art, and finding connection: dctheaterarts.org/2026/06/04/j...

Margaret of Anjou provides insight into Shakespeare’s understanding of gender and sexuality. In "Shakespeare's Margaret: The Dramatic Life of a Warrior Queen, @charlesomalley.bsky.social and @scottwstern.bsky.social track the evolution of her portrayal. Excerpt here: www.folger.edu/blogs/shakes...

In her new book, "Shakespeare in the Kitchen," @nicosiamarissa.bsky.social, the scholar behind the popular "Cooking in the Archives" blog, asks what Shakespeare’s works can tell us about Renaissance culinary recipes, and what these recipes can tell us about his works. www.folger.edu/blogs/shakes...

We're thrilled to see Folger Artist Fellow Missy Dunaway and her beautiful "The Birds of Shakespeare" project featured in @smithsonianmag.bsky.social! Dunaway's work depicts all 65 birds mentioned in Shakespeare and was on view at the Folger this winter. www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-...

Did you know that the oldest item in the Folger collection is about 2072 years old? It's a silver denarius of Julius Caesar (shown here on the side depicting a bust of Venus), purchased by Henry and Emily Folger in 1910 for $1.60. More on the Collation blog: www.folger.edu/blogs/collat...

Sharing some of what we'll be reading this summer ... in a hammock, by the pool, under the trees. What's on your list?

“Let’s put on a show” is an irresistible line in many a story, and Shakespeare seems to have felt the same. In several plays, his characters put on a play of their own. Take our quiz and test your knowledge of his plays within plays!

In May 1849, fans of American actor Edwin Forrest rioted inside and outside New York’s Astor Place Opera House during a performance of "Macbeth" by Forrest’s rival, the British actor William Charles Macready. Our "Shakespeare Unlimited" podcast episode has all the details:

Is that a baby Bard we see? Both Shakespeare and his queen are looking very youthful on this colorful page of "Scenes from Shakespeare for the Young." 🎨 : "Scenes from Shakespeare for the young." ART Vol. f96. Folger Shakespeare Library.

Jacob Ming-Trent's "How Shakespeare Saved My Life" takes audiences on a propulsive ride that reaffirms the power of language and music. Use code FLASH40 now through midnight Monday to save 40%* on tickets for performances June 9-21. 🎫 at folger.edu

In partnership with Paperblanks, the Folger collection is gracing journals and accessories with the newest design inspired by the dramatic War of the Roses binding. Learn the story behind this extraordinary work of art. www.folger.edu/blogs/shakes...

As the Folger prepares to welcome his one-man show, "How Shakespeare Saved My Life," writer and performer Jacob Ming-Trent delves deeper into his story and reframes Shakespeare as an urban poet in the vein of Tupac and Biggie. Now on the Shakespeare Unlimited podcast: www.folger.edu/podcasts/sha...

From Ellen Terry to Sir Ian McKellen, Shakespearean actors performing solo shows is a time-honored tradition. As Folger Theatre prepares for "How Shakespeare Saved My Life," @austintichenor.bsky.social shares a wide-ranging sampling of one-person Shakespeare shows: www.folger.edu/blogs/shakes...

Christ Naulty, our Imaging Associate, shares some of the weird and wonderful things she has encountered in our early modern recipe books while working on the project to digitize them: www.folger.edu/blogs/collat...

In honor of America250 and our exhibition "Shakespeare and the American Story," @egiddens.bsky.social takes a look at the milestone birthdays of some of our collection items, from a book the same age as America to coins that are thousands of years old. www.folger.edu/blogs/collat...

In "Shakespeare's Scholars" from @princetonupress.bsky.social, Sean Keilen explores one of the more comic parts from "Hamlet," Polonius' advice to his son, and why audiences, from Shakespeare's time until quite recently, took the words of guidance quite seriously. www.folger.edu/blogs/shakes...

Know someone who is graduating from high school or college or perhaps there’s another milestone or special person that you’re celebrating? We’re sharing some favorite gift ideas from our Folger Shop. www.folger.edu/blogs/shakes...

A century after Shakespeare’s death, his words were in danger of being forgotten. How did his original works re-emerge? Thank the Shakespeare Ladies Club, a group of influential women who rescued his plays from obscurity. Listen on the podcast: www.folger.edu/podcasts/sha...

Female, queer, non-academics, in a world dominated by male editors with university affiliations, Helen Clarke and Charlotte Porter were outliers in the world of Shakespeare scholarship. The Folger's Curator of Manuscripts Heather Wolfe explores their life and work: www.folger.edu/blogs/shakes...

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet,” says Juliet. References to plants of all kinds enliven Shakespeare’s plays. Test your knowledge of Shakespeare’s plentiful use of plants with our springtime quiz: www.folger.edu/blogs/shakes...

I’m so glad I got to write this piece for the @folger.edu’s Collation blog about the work I’m doing as part of my short-term Artistic Research Fellowship! www.folger.edu/blogs/collat...

We round up all the Shakespeare news this spring, including the exciting discovery by scholar Lucy Munro of an overlooked map confirming the location of the Blackfriars Gatehouse, Shakespeare's only London real estate purchase. www.folger.edu/blogs/shakes...

We round up all the Shakespeare news this spring, including the exciting discovery by scholar Lucy Munro of an overlooked map confirming the location of the Blackfriars Gatehouse, Shakespeare's only London real estate purchase. www.folger.edu/blogs/shakes...

It's not often you get to hear a king recite Shakespeare. King Charles III knows the power of Shakespeare's words and included them - and a lovely shoutout to the Folger collection of First Folios! - during his speech at the state dinner last night.

During her week-long Director's Residency at the Folger, Adjoa Andoh MBE spoke with @theguardian.com about Shakespeare, the importance of representation in storytelling, and what the arts (and Leeds football) mean to her: www.theguardian.com/stage/2026/a...

Is Shakespeare still Shakespeare even if every word is changed? On the "Shakespeare Unlimited" podcast, author and translator Daniel Hahn dives into the challenges and rewards of translation. 🎧 Listen at www.folger.edu/podcasts/sha...

"My job as an artist who trades in play is to bring as much joy and as much connection... into the lives that I touch as I possibly can." The incomparable Adjoa Andoh, MBE joined us for the Inaugural Director's Residency last week and spoke to @npr.org: www.npr.org/2026/04/24/n...

The paperback of Much Ado About Numbers is published in the USA today, Shakespeare's birthday. Fun fact: Chapter 9 reveals that Shakespeare probably used an early pencil - but it was not "2B", it was probably a "9B" on the graphite scale. @folger.edu bookshop.org/p/books/much...

A reminder that the 'Race in the Early Modern Seminar' is hosting PGR lightning talks on 8th June. If you'd like to present, please submit a bio and paper abstract by 1st May. Full details below! @folger.edu @kingsartshums.bsky.social kingsearlymodern.co.uk/race-and-the...

Viewers might be surprised by the number of Shakespearean elements in the miniseries which fictionalizes the doomed relationship between John F. Kennedy, Jr. and his wife Carolyn Bessette. @austintichenor.bsky.social explains on the blog: www.folger.edu/blogs/shakes...

It's (probably!) Shakespeare's birthday! 🎈🎊 In honor of the man behind the plays and poetry, we're sharing five Shakespeare facts. Read along here and explore more on our blog: www.folger.edu/blogs/shakes...

Happy National Volunteer Week! 😇 We're so grateful for the volunteers that help make the Folger a welcoming and engaging place to visit. Interested in joining us as a docent? Applications are open now through July 17, 2026. Apply at folger.edu/docents

Acclaimed actor Sir Patrick Stewart talked to "Shakespeare and Beyond" about the essential message of love he discovered at the heart of each sonnet while recording all 154 for a new audiobook. More - including recordings of three of the sonnets - here: www.folger.edu/blogs/shakes...

Did you catch the @folger.edu Shakespeare's Birthday Lecture from Emma Smith this weekend? www.youtube.com/live/KZV-21r...

In honor of Shakespeare's birthday month, the Folger's own emma poltrack, Arts Engagement Program Manager, spoke to "The Perks of Being a Book Lover" podcast about our virtual book club. Listen to emma at the link! 🎧 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...

As a supplement to the piece in The Times Literary Supplement (@thetls.bsky.social), www.the-tls.com/regular-feat..., here’s a (rather long!) thread on Shakespeare’s house in the Blackfriars, what we knew, and what we now know, with some links to key documents. (1/20)

"Macbeth" tells a story of ambition, violent murder, and its crippling psychological aftereffects. Ahead of our staged reading of "Macbeth" with Adjoa Andoh MBE on April 25, we're looking at some of our favorite quotes from the play: www.folger.edu/blogs/shakes...

New on the Collation blog! Folger Artistic Research Fellow Billy Morgan @billymorgan.bsky.social shares and contextualizes part of a fiction piece shaped by their work at the Folger: www.folger.edu/blogs/collat...