Folger Theatre: Difference between revisions

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==Upcoming season==
[[Folger Shakespeare Library]], opened in 1932, featured the first replica in North America of an Elizabethan theater, a 250-seat space  designed to suggest the innyard playing spaces. Founders [[Henry Clay Folger|Henry Clay]] and [[Emily Jordan Folger]] envisioned it as a place for the performance of the plays in Shakespeare’s style, and the first nationally televised broadcast of a Shakespeare play in the US was [[Julius Caesar (disambiguation)|Julius Caesar]] from the Folger stage in 1949. Folger Theatre produces seasons of Shakespeare, other plays from the period of the Folger’s rare collection, and new work, including commissions, inspired by the period, with award-winning stagings of more than 75 percent of Shakespeare’s canon, as well as classical and Restoration work. Folger Theatre has collaborated with the Classical Theatre of Harlem, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Guthrie, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, Third Rail Projects and other theaters across the country. Folger Theatre is the recipient of 30 [[Helen Hayes Awards]] including four for Outstanding Resident Production for ''[[Sense and Sensibility (2016)|Sense and Sensibility]]'', ''[[The Taming of the Shrew (Folger Theatre, 2012)|The Taming of the Shrew]]'', ''[[Hamlet (Folger Theatre, 2010)|Hamlet]]'', and ''[[Measure for Measure (Folger Theatre, 2006)|Measure for Measure]]''.


[http://www.folger.edu/Content/Whats-On/Folger-Theatre/2014-15-Season.cfm 2014-2015 Season]
Stay up to date with [https://www.facebook.com/FolgerTheatre Folger Theatre on Facebook] or for further information, visit the Folger Theatre blog, [http://spotlight.folger.edu/ The Folger Spotlight]. If you miss a performance, listen to five plays performed by Folger Theatre available as [[Folger Audio Editions]] through Simon & Schuster on audio CD or as a download.


==Current season==
==About Folger Theatre==
 
[[File:2006 Measure for Measure Folger.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Karen Peakes (Isabella), Michele Osherow (Mariana), Ian Merrill Peakes (Angelo), ''Measure for Measure'', directed by Aaron Posner, Folger Theatre, 2006. Carol Pratt.]]
 
Led since 1991 by Artistic Producer Janet Alexander Griffin, Folger Theatre has staged more than half of the plays in Shakespeare’s [[First Folio]].
Highlights from Folger Theatre’s producing history include numerous [[Helen Hayes Awards]] nominations and wins. Nominees for outstanding resident play:  [[Sense and Sensibility (2016)]]: recipient, [[The Taming of the Shrew (Folger Theatre, 2012)|''The Taming of the Shrew'' (Folger Theatre, 2012)]]: recipient, [[Hamlet (Folger Theatre, 2010)|''Hamlet'' (Folger Theatre, 2010)]]: recipient, [[Henry VIII (Folger Theatre, 2010)|''Henry VIII'' (Folger Theatre, 2010)]], [[Arcadia (Folger Theatre, 2009)|''Arcadia'' (Folger Theatre, 2009)]] [[Macbeth (Folger Theatre, 2008)|''Macbeth'' (Folger Theatre, 2008)]], [[Measure for Measure (Folger Theatre, 2006)|''Measure for Measure'' (Folger Theatre, 2006)]]: recipient, [[The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Folger Theatre, 2004)|''The Two Gentlemen of Verona'' (Folger Theatre, 2004)]], [[Melissa Arctic (Folger Theatre, 2004)|''Melissa Arctic'' (Folger Theatre, 2004)]], [[She Stoops to Conquer (Folger Theatre, 2002)|''She Stoops to Conquer'' (Folger Theatre, 2002)]], [[Shakespeare's R & J (Folger Theatre, 2000)|''Shakespeare’s R & J'' (Folger Theatre, 2000)]], [[Much Ado About Nothing (Folger Theatre, 1998)|''Much Ado About Nothing'' (Folger Theatre, 1998)]], and [[Romeo and Juliet (Folger Theatre, 1997)|''Romeo and Juliet'' (Folger Theatre, 1997)]].
 
In collaboration, Folger Theatre produced with The Classical Theatre of Harlem a sell-out [[King Lear (Folger Theatre, 2007)|''King Lear'' (Folger Theatre, 2007)]] starring André DeShields,  with Two River Theater Company staged two productions—a magical [[Macbeth (Folger Theatre, 2008)|''Macbeth'' (Folger Theatre, 2008)]] co-directed by Teller and Aaron Posner and the world premiere of Anne Washburn’s adaptation ''[[Orestes, A Tragic Romp (Folger Theatre, 2010)|Orestes, A Tragic Romp]]''[[Orestes, A Tragic Romp (Folger Theatre, 2010)| (Folger Theatre, 2010)]]— and with Fiasco Theatre produced [[The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Fiasco Theater, 2014)|''The Two Gentlemen of Verona'' (Fiasco Theater, 2014)]]. Folger Theatre has also partnered with Shakespeare's Globe, London to mount productions of [[Hamlet (Shakespeare's Globe, 2012)|''Hamlet'' (Shakespeare's Globe, 2012)]], [[Hamlet (Shakespeare's Globe, 2014)|''Hamlet'' (Shakespeare's Globe, 2014)]], and ''[[King Lear (Shakespeare's Globe, 2014)|King Lear]]''[[King Lear (Shakespeare's Globe, 2014)| (Shakespeare's Globe, 2014)]].
 
[[Exhibitions at the Folger]] inspire memorable productions like David Garrick’s [[The Clandestine Marriage (Folger Theatre, 2005)|''The Clandestine Marriage'' (Folger Theatre, 2005)]], Maxwell Anderson’s [[Elizabeth the Queen (Folger Theatre, 2003)|''Elizabeth the Queen'' (Folger Theatre, 2003)]] which starred Michael Learned, and [[Henry VIII (Folger Theatre, 2010)|''Henry VIII'' (Folger Theatre, 2010)]]. Cross-disciplinary projects with [[Folger Consort]]—such as [[The Second Shepherds' Play: A Medieval Mystery for the Yuletide Season (2007)|''The Second Shepherds' Play: A Medieval Mystery for the Yuletide Season'' (2007, 2016)]], [[Brave New World: Music of the Tempest (2014)|''Brave New World: Music of the Tempest'' (2014)]], [[Measure+Dido (2016)|''Measure+Dido'' (2016)]], and Purcell’s [[The Fairy Queen (2007)|''The Fairy Queen'' (2007)]] with Sir Derek Jacobi, Richard Clifford, and Lynn Redgrave—take advantage of the Folger’s unique resources. Folger Theatre not only produces Shakespeare’s classics but is also a stage for new plays, including Theresa Rebeck ''The Way of the World'',  ''[[Texts&beheadings/ElizabethR|Texts&beheadings/ElizabethR]]'', the Reduced Shakespeare Company's ''[[William Shakespeare's Long Lost First Play (abridged)]]'', Roger Rees’ [[What You Will: By and About the Bard (Folger Theatre, 2007)|''What You Will: By and About the Bard'' (Folger Theatre, 2007)]] and Lynn Redgrave’s [[Reminiscences of the Redgrave Family on the Shakespearean Stage (Folger Shakespeare Library, 1991)|''Shakespeare for My Father'' (Folger Shakespeare Library, 1991)]] and [[Rachel and Juliet: An Evening with Lynn Redgrave (Folger Theatre, 2009)|''Rachel and Juliet: An Evening with Lynn Redgrave'' (Folger Theatre, 2009)]].
 
For more information about the Folger Theatre's performance space, read our article on the Folger's [[Elizabethan Theatre]].
 
===About the Artistic Producer===
====Janet Alexander Griffin====
As Director of Public Programs, Griffin has established Folger Theatre as a home for creative, contemporary approaches to classic theater. She has produced more than 30 seasons of theater, including the majority of Shakespeare’s plays, as well as the work of many other playwrights; more than 1000 concerts of early music; and a like number of other cultural events. Her leadership of Folger Theatre has seen the theater recognized with 159 nominations and 30 awards for excellence from Washington’s [[Helen Hayes Awards]]. These include four awards for Outstanding Resident Production, for [[Sense and Sensibility (2016)|Sense and Sensibility]] in 2017. Bard Records, created by Griffin, has released 23 titles of music by Folger Consort and others, and Folger Theatre has seven fully dramatized Shakespeare audio books available through Simon and Schuster. Projects commissioned or developed include Lynn Redgrave’s [[Shakespeare for My Father: A Staged Reading by Kathleen Chafant (2013)|Shakespeare for My Father]] and [[Rachel and Juliet: An Evening with Lynn Redgrave (Folger Theatre, 2009)|Rachel and Juliet]]; [[Measure+Dido (2016)|Measure+Dido]], [[The Fairy Queen (2007)|The Fairy Queen]] and other presentations of Baroque music and Shakespeare with Derek Jacobi, Richard Clifford, and other celebrated artists; Roger Rees’ [[What You Will: By and About the Bard (Folger Theatre, 2007)|What You Will]]; [[The Second Shepherds' Play (2016)|The Second Shepherds’ Play]] adapted by Mary Hall Surface; Aaron Posner’s [[District Merchants]]; Caroline Shaw’s The Tempest; Robert Richmond’s The Gravedigger’s Tale with Louis Butelli; and Confection with Third Rail Projects. She was the first to bring to Washington a Shakespeare’s Globe production and to take Folger programming to London’s Wanamaker Playhouse at the Globe, as well as other venues in Washington, New York, and California. Other Folger programs stewarded by Griffin are the [[O.B. Hardison Poetry Series|O.B. Hardison Poetry series]]; screenings from the Royal Shakespeare Company; and lectures and readings by theater professionals, early modern scholars, and contemporary literary figures.
 
===Affiliations===
Folger Theatre employs members of [http://www.actorsequity.org/ Actors' Equity Association], the [http://sdcweb.org/ Stage Directors and Choreographers Society], and [https://www.usa829.org/ United Scenic Artists]. It is a member of [https://bluestarfam.org/resources/family-life/blue-star-theatres/ Blue Star Theatres], [http://www.culturaltourismdc.org/portal/ Cultural Tourism DC],  [http://culturecapital.com/ CulturalCapital], [http://theatrewashington.org/ theatreWashington], [http://www.tcg.org/ Theatre Communications Group], and [http://www.stahome.org/ Shakespeare Theatre Association].
 
==2021 Season==
Visit the [http://www.folger.edu/box-office Folger Box Office] to order your tickets for the [https://www.folger.edu/subscribe-theatre 2021 season].
 
*[https://www.folger.edu/events/midsummer-nights-dream-2020 A Midsummer Night's Dream] July 13 – August 29, 2021
*''[https://www.folger.edu/events/nathan-the-wise Nathan The Wise]''  in association with [https://theaterj.org/ Theater J]
*''[https://www.folger.edu/events/tempest-2020 The Tempest]'' in collaboration with [https://www.roundhousetheatre.org/ Round House Theatre]


==Past seasons==
==Past seasons==
===2020s===
*''[[The Merry Wives of Windsor (2020)|The Merry Wives of Windsor]]'' January - March, 2020
===2010s===
===2010s===


*[[''A Midsummer Night's Dream: In Concert'']] (May 29- June 1, 2014)
*''[[Amadeus (2019)|Amadeus]]'' November - December, 2019
*''[[1 Henry IV (2019)|1 Henry IV]]''  September - October, 2019
*''[[Love's Labor's Lost (2019)|Love's Labor's Lost]]''  April - June, 2019


*[[Cymbeline (Fiasco Theatre, 2014)]]
*''[[Confection (2019)|Confection]]''  March, 2019


*[[Fiasco Theater's ''The Two Gentlemen of Verona'']] (April 17- May 25, 2014)
*''[[Nell Gwynn (2019)|Nell Gwynn]]'' January - March, 2019


*[[''Richard III'']] (January 28- March 16, 2014)
*''[[King John (2018)|King John]]'' October - December, 2018


*[[''Romeo and Juliet'']] (October 15- December 1, 2013)
*''[[Davenant's Macbeth (2018)|Davenant's Macbeth]]'' September, 2018


*[[''Robben Island Bible'']] (June 3, 2013)
*[[Saint Joan (2018)|''Saint Joan'']] May - June, 2018


*[[''Twelfth Night'']] (April 30- June 9, 2013)
*[[The Winters Tale (2018)|''The Winters Tale'']] March - April, 2018


*[[''Henry V'']] (January 22- March 10, 2013)
*[[The Way of the World (2018)|''The Way of the World'']] January - February, 2018


*[[''The Conference of the Birds'']] (October 23- November 25, 2012)
*[[Antony and Cleopatra (2017)|''Antony and Cleopatra'']] October - November, 2017


*[[Shakespeare's Globe: ''Hamlet'']] (September 8-22, 2012)
*''[[Timon of Athens (2017)|Timon of Athens]]'' May - June, 2017


*[[''The Taming of the Shrew'']] (May 1- June 10, 2012)
*''[[As You Like It (2017)|As You Like It]]'' January - March, 2017


*[[''The Gaming Table'']] (January 24- March 4, 2012)
*''[[Sense and Sensibility (2016)|Sense and Sensibility]]'' September - October, 2016


*[[''Othello'']] (October 18- December 4, 2011)
*[[District Merchants |''District Merchants'']] May - July, 2016


*[[''Cyrano'']] (April 26- June 12, 2011)
*[[William_Shakespeare%27s_Long_Lost_First_Play_(abridged)| ''William Shakespeare's Long Lost First Play (Abridged)'']] April - May, 2016


*[[''The Comedy of Errors'']] (January 25- March 6, 2011)
*[[A_Midsummer_Night%27s_Dream_(Folger_Theatre,_2016) | ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'']] January - March, 2016


*[[''Henry VIII'']] (October 12- November 28, 2010)
*[[Pericles_(Folger_Theatre,_2015) | ''Pericles'']] November - December, 2015


*[[''Hamlet'']] (April 21- June 6, 2010)
*[[Texts%26beheadings/ElizabethR|''texts&beheadings/ElizabethR'']] (Compagnia de'Colombari) September - October, 2015


*[[''Orestes, A Tragic Romp'']] (January 27- March 7, 2010)
*[[Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (2015)|''Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead'']] May - June, 2015
 
*[[Mary Stuart (2015)|''Mary Stuart'']] January - March, 2015
 
*[[Julius Caesar (Folger Theatre, 2014)|''Julius Caesar'']] October - December, 2014
 
*[[King Lear (Shakespeare's Globe, 2014)|''King Lear'']] (Shakespeare's Globe) September 5-21, 2014
 
*[[Hamlet (Shakespeare's Globe, 2014)|''Hamlet'']] (Shakespeare's Globe) July 25-26, 2014
 
*[[A Midsummer Night's Dream: In Concert (2014)|''A Midsummer Night's Dream: In Concert'']]  May - June, 2014
 
*[[Cymbeline (Fiasco Theater, 2014)|''Cymbeline'']] (Fiasco Theater) May - June, 2014
 
*[[The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Fiasco Theater, 2014)|''The Two Gentlemen of Verona'']] (Fiasco Theater) April - May, 2014
 
*[[Richard III (Folger Theatre, 2014)|''Richard III'']] January - March, 2014
 
*[[Romeo and Juliet (Folger Theatre, 2013)|''Romeo and Juliet'']] October - December, 2013
 
*[[Robben Island Bible (Folger Theatre, 2013)|''Robben Island Bible'']] June 3, 2013
 
*[[Twelfth Night (Folger Theatre, 2013)|''Twelfth Night'']] April - June, 2013
 
*[[Henry V (Folger Theatre, 2013)|''Henry V'']] January - March, 2013
 
*[[The Conference of the Birds (Folger Theatre, 2012)|''The Conference of the Birds'']] October - November, 2012
 
*[[Hamlet (Shakespeare's Globe, 2012)|''Hamlet'']] (Shakespeare's Globe) September 8-22, 2012
 
*[[The Taming of the Shrew (Folger Theatre, 2012)|''The Taming of the Shrew'']] May - June, 2012
 
*[[The Gaming Table (Folger Theatre, 2012)|''The Gaming Table'']] January - March, 2012
 
*[[Othello (Folger Theatre, 2011)|''Othello'']] October - December, 2011
 
*[[Cyrano (Folger Theatre, 2011)|''Cyrano'']] April - June, 2011
 
*[[The Comedy of Errors (Folger Theatre, 2011)|''The Comedy of Errors'']] January - March, 2011
 
*[[Henry VIII (Folger Theatre, 2010)|''Henry VIII'']] October - November, 2010
 
*[[Hamlet (Folger Theatre, 2010)|''Hamlet'']] April - June, 2010
 
*[[Orestes, A Tragic Romp (Folger Theatre, 2010)|''Orestes, A Tragic Romp'']] January - March, 2010


===2000s===
===2000s===


*[[''Much Ado About Nothing'']] (October 21- November 29, 2009)
*[[Much Ado About Nothing (Folger Theatre, 2009)|''Much Ado About Nothing'']] October - November, 2009


*[[''Arcadia'']] (May 5- June 21, 2009)
*[[Arcadia (Folger Theatre, 2009)|''Arcadia'']] May - June, 2009


*[[''Rachel and Juliet'': An Evening with Lynn Redgrave]] (April 10- 12, 2009)
*[[Rachel and Juliet: An Evening with Lynn Redgrave (Folger Theatre, 2009)|''Rachel and Juliet: An Evening with Lynn Redgrave'']] April 10-12, 2009


*[[''The Winter's Tale'']] (January 28- March 8, 2009)
*[[The Winter's Tale (Folger Theatre, 2009)| ''The Winter's Tale'']] January - March, 2009


*[[''1 Henry IV'']] (October 8- November 16, 2008)
*[[1 Henry IV (Folger Theatre, 2008)|''1 Henry IV'']] October - November, 2008


*[[''The School for Scandal'']] (May 7- June 15, 2008)
*[[The School for Scandal (Folger Theatre, 2008)|''The School for Scandal'']] May - June, 2008


*[[''Macbeth'']] (February 28- April 13, 2008)
*[[Macbeth (Folger Theatre, 2008)|''Macbeth'']] February - April, 2008


*[[''As You Like It'']] (October 17- November 25, 2007)
*[[As You Like It (Folger Theatre, 2007)|''As You Like It'']] October - November, 2007


*[[''The Tempest'']] (May 9- June 17, 2007)
*[[The Tempest (Folger Theatre, 2007)|''The Tempest'']] May - June, 2007


*[[''What You Will: By and About the Bard'']] (March 30- April 1, 2007)
*[[What You Will: By and About the Bard (Folger Theatre, 2007)|''What You Will: By and About the Bard'']] March - April, 2007


*[[''365 Days / 365 Plays'': Suzan-Lori Parks Project]] (January 27, 2007) ? (Not linked on public page to a cast list, etc.)
*[[365 Days / 365 Plays: Suzan-Lori Parks Project (2007)|''365 Days / 365 Plays'': Suzan-Lori Parks Project]]


*[[''King Lear'']] (January 11- February 25, 2007)
*[[King Lear (Folger Theatre, 2007)|''King Lear'']] January - February, 2007


*[[''A Midsummer Night's Dream'']] (October 24- December 3, 2006)
*[[A Midsummer Night's Dream (Folger Theatre, 2006)|''A Midsummer Night's Dream'']] October - November, 2006


*[[''The Game of Love Chance'']] (April 7- Mary 14, 2006)
*[[The Game of Love and Chance (Folger Theatre, 2006)|''The Game of Love and Chance'']] April - May, 2006


*[[''Measure for Measure'']] (January 19- March 2, 2006)
*[[Measure for Measure (Folger Theatre, 2006)|''Measure for Measure'']] January - February, 2006


*[[''Much Ado About Nothing'']] (October 20- November 27, 2005)
*[[Much Ado About Nothing (Folger Theatre, 2005)|''Much Ado About Nothing'']] October - November, 2005


*[[''The Clandestine Marriage'']] (April 15- May 22, 2005)
*[[The Clandestine Marriage (Folger Theatre, 2005)|''The Clandestine Marriage'']] April - May, 2005


*[[''Romeo and Juliet'']] (January 12- February 27, 2005)
*[[Romeo and Juliet (Folger Theatre, 2005)|''Romeo and Juliet'']] January - February, 2005


*[[''The Two Gentlemen of Verona'']] (November 11- December 19, 2004)
*[[The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Folger Theatre, 2004)|''The Two Gentlemen of Verona'']] November - December, 2004


*[[''The Comedy of Errors'']] (April 14- May 23, 2004)
*[[The Comedy of Errors (Folger Theatre, 2004)|''The Comedy of Errors'']] April - May, 2004


*[[''Melissa Arctic'']] (January 23- February 29, 2004)
*[[Melissa Arctic (Folger Theatre, 2004)|''Melissa Arctic'']] January - February, 2004


*[[''All's Well That Ends Well'']] (October 25- November 30, 2003)
*[[All's Well That Ends Well (Folger Theatre, 2003)|''All's Well That Ends Well'']] October - November, 2003


*[[''Elizabeth the Queen'']] (March 22- May 4, 2003)
*[[Elizabeth the Queen (Folger Theatre, 2003)|''Elizabeth the Queen'']] March - May, 2003


*[[''Twelfth Night'']] (January 3- February 9, 2003)
*[[Twelfth Night (Folger Theatre, 2003)|''Twelfth Night'']] January - February, 2003


*[[Shenandoah Shakespeare Express in ''Love's Labor's Lost'']] (November 16- December 1, 2002)
*[[Love's Labor's Lost (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, 2002)|''Love's Labor's Lost'']] (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) November - December, 2002


*[[''Othello'']] (May 9- June 16, 2002)
*[[Othello (Folger Theatre, 2002)|''Othello'']] May - June, 2002


*[[''She Stoops to Conquer'']] (February 23- March 1, 2002)
*[[She Stoops to Conquer (Folger Theatre, 2002)|''She Stoops to Conquer'']] February - March, 2002


*[[''Macbeth'']] (October 20- December 2, 2001)
*[[Macbeth (Folger Theatre, 2001)|''Macbeth'']] October - December, 2001


*[[''As You Like It'']] (May 13-June 10, 2001)
*[[As You Like It (Folger Theatre, 2001)|''As You Like It'']] May - June, 2001


*[[Shenandoah Shakespeare Express in ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'']] (February 20- March 2, 2001)
*[[A Midsummer Night's Dream (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, 2001)|''A Midsummer Night's Dream'']] (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) February - March, 2001


*[[''The Tempest'']] (October 28- December 3, 2000)
*[[The Tempest (Folger Theatre, 2000)|''The Tempest'']] October - December, 2000


*[[Aquila Theatre Company: ''Julius Caesar'']] (May 9- June 4, 2000)
*[[Julius Caesar (Aquila Theater Company, 2000)|''Julius Caesar'']] (Aquila Theater Company) May - June, 2000


*[[''Shakespeare's R & J'']] (February 18- March 19, 2000)
*[[Shakespeare's R & J (Folger Theatre, 2000)|''Shakespeare's R & J'']] February - March, 2000


===1990s===
===1990s===


*[[''Hamlet'']] (October 30- December 5, 1999)
*[[Hamlet (Folger Theatre, 1999)|''Hamlet'']] October - December, 1999
 
*[[The Night of the Burning Pestle (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, 1999)|''The Night of the Burning Pestle'']] (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) May - June, 1999


*[[Shenandoah Shakespeare Express in ''The Night of the Burning Pestle'']] (May 18- June 6, 1999)
*[[Macbeth (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, 1999)|''Macbeth'']] (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) May - June, 1999


*[[Shenandoah Shakespeare Express in ''Macbeth'']] (May 18- June 6, 1999)
*[[The Dresser (Folger Theatre, 1999)|''The Dresser'']] April - May, 1999


*[[''The Dresser'']] (April 2- May 2, 1999)
*[[Much Ado About Nothing (Folger Theatre, 1998)|''Much Ado About Nothing'']] November - December, 1998


*[[''Much Ado About Nothing'']] (November 14- December 20, 1998)
*[[The Taming of the Shrew (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, 1998)|''The Taming of the Shrew'']] (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) June - July, 1998


*[[Shenandoah Shakespeare Express in ''The Taming of the Shrew'']] (June 12- July 3, 1998)
*[[Richard III (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, 1998)|''Richard III'']] (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) June - July, 1998


*[[Shenandoah Shakespeare Express in ''Richard III'']] (June 12- July 3, 1998)
*[[Measure for Measure (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, 1998)|''Measure for Measure'']] (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) June - July, 1998


*[[Shenandoah Shakespeare Express in ''Measure for Measure'']] (June 12- July 3, 1998)
*[[Mad About the Bard (Folger Theatre, 1998)|''Mad About the Bard'']] May 13-31, 1998


*[[''Mad About the Bard'']] (May 13- 31, 1998)
*[[Casting Juliet/Playing Othello (Folger Theatre, 1998)|''Casting Juliet/Playing Othello'']] January - February, 1998


*[[''Casting Juliet/Playing Othello'']] (January 9- February 1, 1998)
*[[Romeo and Juliet (Folger Theatre, 1997)|''Romeo and Juliet'']] November - December, 1997


*[[''Romeo and Juliet'']] (November 14- December 14, 1997)
*[[Love's Labor's Lost (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, 1997)|''Love's Labor's Lost'']] (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) May - June, 1997


*[[Shenandoah Shakespeare Express in ''Love's Labor's Lost'']] (May 22- June 8, 1997)
*[[Henry IV, Part I (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, 1997)|''Henry IV, Part I'']] (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) May - June, 1997


*[[Shenandoah Shakespeare Express in ''Henry IV, Part I'']] (May 22- June 8, 1997)
*[[A Midsummer Night's Dream (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, 1997)|''A Midsummer Night's Dream'']] (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) May - June, 1997


*[[Shenandoah Shakespeare Express in ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'']] (May 22- June 8, 1997)
*[[Ordo Virtutum (1997)|''Ordo Virtutum'']] January 10-11, 1997


*[[''Ordo Virtutum'']] (January 10-11, 1997)
*[[A Child's Christmas in Wales and Other Lands (Interact Theatre Company, 1996)|''A Child's Christmas in Wales and Other Lands'']] (Interact Theatre Company) November - December, 1996


*[[''A Child's Christmas in Wales and Other Lands'' with Interact Theatre Company]] (November 29- December 22, 1996)
*[[As You Like It (Interact Theatre Company, 1996)|''As You Like It'']] (Interact Theatre Company) April - May, 1996


*[[''As You Like It'' with Interact Theatre Company]] (April 12- May 5, 1996)
*[[Njinga the Queen King (Folger Theatre, 1996)|''Njinga the Queen King'']] February 8-18, 1996


*[[''Njinga the Queen King'']] (February 8-18, 1996)
*[[Standup Shakespeare (Folger Theatre, 1995)|''Standup Shakespeare'']] November 7-19, 1995


*[[''Standup Shakespeare'']] (November 7-19, 1995)
*[[The Merchant of Venice (Source Theatre Company, 1995)|''The Merchant of Venice'']] (Source Theatre Company) June 3-25, 1995


*[[Source Theatre Company in ''The Merchant of Venice'']] (June 3-25, 1995)
*[[Private Lives (with Interact Theatre Company, 1995)|''Private Lives'']] (with Interact Theatre Company) February - March, 1995


*[[''Private Lives'': A co-production with Interact Theatre Company]] (February 18- March 12, 1995)
*[[Richard III (with the Travelling Shakespeare Company, 1995)|''Richard III'']] (with The Travelling Shakespeare Company) January 11-29, 1995


*[[''Richard III'': A co-production with the Travelling Shakespeare Company]] (January 11-29, 1995)
*[[The Snow Queen (The Hudson Vagabond Puppets, 1994)|''The Snow Queen'']] (The Hudson Vagabond Puppets) December 9-11, 1994


*[[The Hudson Vagabond Puppets in ''The Snow Queen'']] (December 9-11, 1994)
*[[The History of America (abridged) (The Reduced Shakespeare Company, 1994)|''The History of America (abridged)'']] (The Reduced Shakespeare Company) November - December, 1994


*[[The Reduced Shakespeare Company in ''The History of America (abridged)'']] (November 25- December 4, 1994)
*[[Shakespearean Women: A Theatre Festival (Folger Theatre, 1994)|''Shakespearean Women: A Theatre Festival'']] October - November, 1994


*[[''Shakespearean Women'': A Theatre Festival]] (October 5- November 6, 1994)
*[[Romeo and Juliet (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, 1993)|''Romeo and Juliet'']] (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) June - July, 1993


*[[Shenandoah Shakespeare Express in ''Romeo and Juliet'']] (June 15- July 3, 1993)
*[[Antony and Cleopatra (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, 1993)|''Antony and Cleopatra'']] (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) June - July, 1993


*[[Shenandoah Shakespeare Express in ''Antony and Cleopatra'']] (June 15- July 3, 1993)
*[[A Midsummer Night's Dream (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, 1993)|''A Midsummer Night's Dream'']] (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) June - July, 1993


*[[Shenandoah Shakespeare Express in ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'']] (June 15- July 3, 1993)
*[[Joyicity (Folger Theatre, 1993)|''Joyicity'']] June 10-12, 1993


*[[''Joyicity'']] (June 10-12, 1993)
*[[Suppliant Women (with Stanford University, 1993)|''Suppliant Women'']] (with Stanford University) April 13-16, 1993


*[[''Suppliant Women'' with Stanford University]] (April 13-16, 1993)
*[[My Astonishing Self (Folger Theatre, 1993)|''My Astonishing Self'']] March 2, 1993


*[[''My Astonishing Self'']] (March 2, 1993)
*[[A Midsummer Night's Dream (The Travelling Shakespeare Company, 1993)|''A Midsummer Night's Dream'']] (The Travelling Shakespeare Company) February 2-8, 1993


*[[The Travelling Shakespeare Company in ''A Midsummers Night's Dream'']] (February 2-8, 1993)
*[[The Cure of Troy (with the SCENA Theatre, 1992)|''The Cure of Troy'']] (with SCENA Theatre) June 4, 1992


*[[''The Cure of Troy'' with SCENA Theatre]] (June 4, 1992)
*[[Reminiscences of the Redgrave Family on the Shakespearean Stage (Folger Shakespeare Library, 1991)|''Reminiscences of the Redgrave Family on the Shakespearean Stage'']] December 3, 1991


*[[''An Evening with Lynn Redgrave'']] (December 3, 1991)
[[Category: Public programs]]
[[Category: Folger Theatre]]
[[Category: American theater]]
[[Category: 20th century]]
[[Category: 21st century]]

Revision as of 13:41, 5 February 2021

Folger Shakespeare Library, opened in 1932, featured the first replica in North America of an Elizabethan theater, a 250-seat space  designed to suggest the innyard playing spaces. Founders Henry Clay and Emily Jordan Folger envisioned it as a place for the performance of the plays in Shakespeare’s style, and the first nationally televised broadcast of a Shakespeare play in the US was Julius Caesar from the Folger stage in 1949. Folger Theatre produces seasons of Shakespeare, other plays from the period of the Folger’s rare collection, and new work, including commissions, inspired by the period, with award-winning stagings of more than 75 percent of Shakespeare’s canon, as well as classical and Restoration work. Folger Theatre has collaborated with the Classical Theatre of Harlem, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Guthrie, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, Third Rail Projects and other theaters across the country. Folger Theatre is the recipient of 30 Helen Hayes Awards including four for Outstanding Resident Production for Sense and Sensibility, The Taming of the Shrew, Hamlet, and Measure for Measure.

Stay up to date with Folger Theatre on Facebook or for further information, visit the Folger Theatre blog, The Folger Spotlight. If you miss a performance, listen to five plays performed by Folger Theatre available as Folger Audio Editions through Simon & Schuster on audio CD or as a download.

About Folger Theatre

Karen Peakes (Isabella), Michele Osherow (Mariana), Ian Merrill Peakes (Angelo), Measure for Measure, directed by Aaron Posner, Folger Theatre, 2006. Carol Pratt.

Led since 1991 by Artistic Producer Janet Alexander Griffin, Folger Theatre has staged more than half of the plays in Shakespeare’s First Folio.

Highlights from Folger Theatre’s producing history include numerous Helen Hayes Awards nominations and wins. Nominees for outstanding resident play: Sense and Sensibility (2016): recipient, The Taming of the Shrew (Folger Theatre, 2012): recipient, Hamlet (Folger Theatre, 2010): recipient, Henry VIII (Folger Theatre, 2010), Arcadia (Folger Theatre, 2009) Macbeth (Folger Theatre, 2008), Measure for Measure (Folger Theatre, 2006): recipient, The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Folger Theatre, 2004), Melissa Arctic (Folger Theatre, 2004), She Stoops to Conquer (Folger Theatre, 2002), Shakespeare’s R & J (Folger Theatre, 2000), Much Ado About Nothing (Folger Theatre, 1998), and Romeo and Juliet (Folger Theatre, 1997).

In collaboration, Folger Theatre produced with The Classical Theatre of Harlem a sell-out King Lear (Folger Theatre, 2007) starring André DeShields, with Two River Theater Company staged two productions—a magical Macbeth (Folger Theatre, 2008) co-directed by Teller and Aaron Posner and the world premiere of Anne Washburn’s adaptation Orestes, A Tragic Romp (Folger Theatre, 2010)— and with Fiasco Theatre produced The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Fiasco Theater, 2014). Folger Theatre has also partnered with Shakespeare's Globe, London to mount productions of Hamlet (Shakespeare's Globe, 2012), Hamlet (Shakespeare's Globe, 2014), and King Lear (Shakespeare's Globe, 2014).

Exhibitions at the Folger inspire memorable productions like David Garrick’s The Clandestine Marriage (Folger Theatre, 2005), Maxwell Anderson’s Elizabeth the Queen (Folger Theatre, 2003) which starred Michael Learned, and Henry VIII (Folger Theatre, 2010). Cross-disciplinary projects with Folger Consort—such as The Second Shepherds' Play: A Medieval Mystery for the Yuletide Season (2007, 2016), Brave New World: Music of the Tempest (2014), Measure+Dido (2016), and Purcell’s The Fairy Queen (2007) with Sir Derek Jacobi, Richard Clifford, and Lynn Redgrave—take advantage of the Folger’s unique resources. Folger Theatre not only produces Shakespeare’s classics but is also a stage for new plays, including Theresa Rebeck The Way of the World, Texts&beheadings/ElizabethR, the Reduced Shakespeare Company's William Shakespeare's Long Lost First Play (abridged), Roger Rees’ What You Will: By and About the Bard (Folger Theatre, 2007) and Lynn Redgrave’s Shakespeare for My Father (Folger Shakespeare Library, 1991) and Rachel and Juliet: An Evening with Lynn Redgrave (Folger Theatre, 2009).

For more information about the Folger Theatre's performance space, read our article on the Folger's Elizabethan Theatre.

About the Artistic Producer

Janet Alexander Griffin

As Director of Public Programs, Griffin has established Folger Theatre as a home for creative, contemporary approaches to classic theater. She has produced more than 30 seasons of theater, including the majority of Shakespeare’s plays, as well as the work of many other playwrights; more than 1000 concerts of early music; and a like number of other cultural events. Her leadership of Folger Theatre has seen the theater recognized with 159 nominations and 30 awards for excellence from Washington’s Helen Hayes Awards. These include four awards for Outstanding Resident Production, for Sense and Sensibility in 2017. Bard Records, created by Griffin, has released 23 titles of music by Folger Consort and others, and Folger Theatre has seven fully dramatized Shakespeare audio books available through Simon and Schuster. Projects commissioned or developed include Lynn Redgrave’s Shakespeare for My Father and Rachel and Juliet; Measure+Dido, The Fairy Queen and other presentations of Baroque music and Shakespeare with Derek Jacobi, Richard Clifford, and other celebrated artists; Roger Rees’ What You Will; The Second Shepherds’ Play adapted by Mary Hall Surface; Aaron Posner’s District Merchants; Caroline Shaw’s The Tempest; Robert Richmond’s The Gravedigger’s Tale with Louis Butelli; and Confection with Third Rail Projects. She was the first to bring to Washington a Shakespeare’s Globe production and to take Folger programming to London’s Wanamaker Playhouse at the Globe, as well as other venues in Washington, New York, and California. Other Folger programs stewarded by Griffin are the O.B. Hardison Poetry series; screenings from the Royal Shakespeare Company; and lectures and readings by theater professionals, early modern scholars, and contemporary literary figures.

Affiliations

Folger Theatre employs members of Actors' Equity Association, the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, and United Scenic Artists. It is a member of Blue Star Theatres, Cultural Tourism DC, CulturalCapital, theatreWashington, Theatre Communications Group, and Shakespeare Theatre Association.

2021 Season

Visit the Folger Box Office to order your tickets for the 2021 season.

Past seasons

2020s

2010s

  • King Lear (Shakespeare's Globe) September 5-21, 2014
  • Hamlet (Shakespeare's Globe) July 25-26, 2014
  • Hamlet (Shakespeare's Globe) September 8-22, 2012

2000s

1990s

  • Hamlet October - December, 1999
  • Macbeth (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) May - June, 1999
  • Richard III (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) June - July, 1998
  • Private Lives (with Interact Theatre Company) February - March, 1995
  • Richard III (with The Travelling Shakespeare Company) January 11-29, 1995