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Shakespeare in Prison's Women's Ensemble, 2016. Photo: Detroit Free Press. Courtesy of Detroit Public Theatre

Richard III in Prison

Shakespeare in Prison, the signature community program of the Detroit Public Theatre, is developing a new critical edition of Richard III that pairs Shakespeare’s text with the ideas and perspectives of incarcerated women who worked with the play over the course of 2016 and 2017. SIP founder Frannie Shepherd-Bates talks about the program and this new edition.

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Malachi Black and Laurie Ann Guerrero

The New Sonneteers

In honor of Shakespeare's Birthday and National Poetry Month, revisit this reading from the O.B. Hardison Poetry Series. Poet and O.B. Hardison Poetry Board member Donna Denizé introduces Malachi Black and Laurie Ann Guerrero, who each read their favorite sonnet by Shakespeare. They then share their own sonnets, showcasing the vibrancy and universality of this centuries-old poetic form.

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black actors and educators, past and present

Summer Courses: Black Shakespeare and Women Poets

The Folger is transforming the way Shakespeare is taught in American classrooms, through not only rigorous professional development for teachers, but also the creation of innovative curriculum in partnerships with school systems like DC Public Schools — and now with an online education startup called Reconstruction.us, co-founded by former DCPS chancellor Kaya Henderson. Reconstruction.us focuses on connecting students to Black culture and history.

"Black Shakespeare" is a Reconstruction.us course developed by the Folger with scholars and teachers that dives into the rich connections between Black Americans and Shakespeare. This summer, high school students will analyze three Shakespeare plays — Macbeth, Othello, and The Merchant of Venice — through the lens of the Black experience.

The Folger is also partnering with Reconstruction.us to offer a poetry workshop for ages 10-14, "Standing on Her Shoulders: A Workshop on Black Women Poets." See the Reconstruction.us website for course information and dates.

Poetry Workshop


man on horseback

Performance and Diplomacy

London audiences in the early 18th century paid close attention to the Maghrebi ambassadors joining them as fellow spectators. In fact, the press treated their presence as part of the spectacle itself.

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Shakespeare and Data Spaces

Watch Folger Director Michael Witmore's recorded talk from a recent National Humanities Center conference exploring the critical intersection between the humanities and artificial intelligence.

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Bard Birthday Highlights

The Folger celebrated Shakespeare's birthday on April 23, and we invited you to #ShareYourShakespeare. See highlights from the special day and some of the videos shared on social media.

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#FolgerFinds

For more encounters with the Folger collection, follow @FolgerLibrary on Instagram.

Instagram post featuring a ceramic pomade jar

Virtual 2021 Folger Gala

Tuesday, May 25, 7pm EDT

Join us for a complimentary virtual evening of wit, entertainment, and celebration accessible to all.  Stream this year's Folger Gala for free on Facebook, YouTube, or folger.edu.

The Wonder of WIll - An Expansive New Vision