First Folio! The Book that Gave Us Shakespeare – South Dakota

First Folio! The Book that Gave Us Shakespeare was a touring exhibition from the Folger Shakespeare Library that visited one location in all 50 United States, Puerto Rico, and Washington DC in 2016 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.


This article provides highlights from the exhibition’s visit to South Dakota.

Exhibition Location: Vermillion, South Dakota

Exhibition Venue: University of South Dakota and the National Music Museum

Exhibition Dates: March 7, 2016 – April 3, 2016


Partner Organizations:

  • Department of English
  • College of Arts and Sciences
  • Coyote Twin Theatre
  • Dakota Writing Project
  • Vermillion Literary Project
  • USD Writing Center
  • University Libraries
  • Vermillion Rotary Club
  • Edith B. Siegrist Public Library


Complementary Exhibition:

  • Shakespeare Illustrated, March 7 – April 2
Shakespeare Illustrated showcases items from the I.D. Weeks collections that illustrate Shakespeare’s plays or offer ways of thinking about what the plays themselves illustrate.


Event List:

  • February 26, 2016 – Music for Plucked Instruments of the Elizabethan Era, by Kenneth Bé
  • February 26, 2016 – The Elizabethan Lute, by Kenneth Bé
  • March 1, 2016 – Lecture, Shakespeare Illustrated by Dr. Darlene Farabee
  • March 9, 2016 – First Folio! Opening Reception with South Dakota poet-laureate Lee Ann Roripaugh
  • March 12, 2016 – Dakota Writing Project “Teaching Shakespeare” Workshop
  • March 18-19, 2016 – Shakespeare in South Dakota Symposium
  • March 18, 2016 – Ayreheart performing Renaissance music for children
  • March 18, 2016 – Ayreheart performing “Will You Walk the Woods so Wild”
  • March 19, 2016 – Film Screening of Shakespeare in Love
  • April 1, 2016 – Lecture, Varieties of Film Hamlets by Dr. Bruce Brandt
  • April 1, 2016 – Write the Night Away!
  • April 2, 2016 – Closing Reception for First Folio! Exhibition
  • April 7, 2016 – National Music Museum Live! Concert: Sigiswald Kuijken with the Bach Society of Minnesota


Click here to learn about the First Folio that visited South Dakota.