First Folio! The Book that Gave Us Shakespeare – Washington D.C.

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 Washington D.C.

Exhibition Location: Washington D.C.

Exhibition Venue: Gallaudet University

Exhibition Dates: October 7, 2016 – October 31, 2016


Partner Organizations:

  • Synetic Theatre
  • The Shakespeare Theatre Company
  • Faction of Fools Theatre Company
  • Katherine Knight, local visual artist


Event List:

  • October 7, 2016 – Opening reception and viewing of folio
  • October 7, 2016 – Opening lecture on Shakespeare in American Sign Language, presented by Professor Ethan Sinnott and Professor Peter Novak
  • October 8, 2016 – Bard for a Day - Family event with workshops, costumes, performances, art activities, and American Sign Language story-telling
  • October 13, 2016 – Presentation, Visual Shakespeare featuring Michele Osherow, Folger Resident Dramaturg; Paata Tsikurishvili, Founding Artistic Director and CEO, Synetic Theatre; and Paul Reisman, Associate Artistic Director, Faction of Fools Theatre Company.
  • October 15, 2016 – Academic symposium on Shakespeare in American Sign Language and Visual Shakespeare
  • October 15, 2016 - Titus Andronicus in American Sign Language for Oregon Shakespeare Festival - Visiting Artist Howie Seago and Gallaudet students in his THE 495 course will present work in progress translating Titus Andronicus into ASL for Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF).
  • October 20 – November 6, 2016 – Gallaudet’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream
  • October 22, 2016 – Eyes on Shakespeare Festival - Experience Shakespeare visually! The festival includes free performances, workshops, and talks by Deaf and hearing theater groups and performers.
  • October 27, 2016 – Homecoming Alumni Panel, Shakespeare Matters - A panel of alumni spanning 1955 to 2014 discusses their involvement in Shakespeare productions at Gallaudet and professionally.
  • October 27, 2016 – Panel, Shakespeare in American Deaf History, featuring Professor Pamela Kincheloe, Scholar Steve Baldwin, and Director Aaron Kelstone
  • October 29, 2016 – K-12 Educators Workshop


Click here to learn about the First Folio that visited Washington D.C.