What's on
There’s something for everyone. From theater and music, to poetry and exhibitions, experience the power of the arts with us.
Upcoming events
Cocktails & Conversation with Emily Lyon and Anne-Claire Michoux
Cocktails & Conversation with Emily Lyon and Anne-Claire Michoux
Join us for Cocktails & Conversation with two of our research fellows! Emily Lyon and Anne-Claire Michoux will discuss the women who ruled the stage in the long 18th century and how we can celebrate them and their work today.
Fri, Sep 18, 2026, at 7pm
Folger Salon with Anne-Claire Michoux, Jagrut Raval, and Mads Sheahan
Folger Salon with Anne-Claire Michoux, Jagrut Raval, and Mads Sheahan
Learn about research happening at the Folger in real time! Each month, Folger Institute scholar and artist fellows will share their most exciting finds and thought-provoking challenges, followed by casual open conversation.
Thu, Sep 24, 2026 at 4:30pm
Shared Stages: To Hear Her Speak
Shared Stages: To Hear Her Speak
Drawing on the themes of To Hear Her Speak: Black Women and Shakespeare, this conversation highlights the abundance of Black women directing, acting, and engaging with Shakespeare in theatre today.
Thu, Oct 8, 2026 at 6:30pm
Cocktails & Conversation: "Fools Breaking Rules" with Chase Brantley
Cocktails & Conversation: "Fools Breaking Rules" with Chase Brantley
Join us for Cocktails & Conversation with Artistic Research Fellow Chase Brantley! Brantley will lead an interactive conversation using contemporary clowning technique as a lens into the Renaissance stage.
Fri, Oct 9, 2026, at 7pm
Season subscriptions
Subscriptions are now on sale! Explore the 2026-27 seasons for Folger Theatre, Folger Consort, and the O.B. Hardison Poetry Series. Lock in the best seats at the best prices (and a host of other benefits) by purchasing your subscription today.
Folger Theatre subscriptions
Folger Theatre
Folger Consort subscriptions
Folger Consort
O.B. Hardison Poetry Series subscriptions
O.B. Hardison Poetry Series
Current and upcoming exhibitions
To Hear Her Speak: Black Women and Shakespeare
To Hear Her Speak: Black Women and Shakespeare
This landmark exhibition explores the histories of Black women in Shakespearean performance and highlights the ways in which Black women have engaged Shakespeare’s language, stories, and characters in their work.
Oct 16, 2026 – May 2, 2027
Shakespeare Exhibition
Our Shakespeare Exhibition
See the Folger First Folios, learn more about Shakespeare and his plays, and explore the complexities of his cultural legacy.
Ongoing
What’s next for Book Club
Our virtual, monthly Book Club is free and open to all.
Folger Book Club: 'Mona Acts Out' by Mischa Berlinski
Folger Book Club: 'Mona Acts Out' by Mischa Berlinski
In our November selection, a Shakespearean actor looks back on her life in the theater as she traverses present-day New York City one Thanksgiving morning.
Thu, Nov 5, 2026, 6:30pm
Folger Book Club: 'The Beheading Game' by Rebecca Lehmann
Folger Book Club: 'The Beheading Game' by Rebecca Lehmann
In our first ever in-person session, Folger Book Club discusses Rebecca Lehmann’s exciting debut novel about Anne Boleyn.
Tue, Dec 8, 2026, 6pm
For families
Register for our free family workshops, once a month on Saturdays, with options for ages 5-7 and 8-11.
Family Workshop: Haunted Learning Lab
Family Workshop: Haunted Learning Lab
In this free workshop, families will learn about supernatural characters in Shakespeare’s plays and recreate one of his most iconic spooky scenes.
Sat, Oct 3, 2026 at 11:30am & 1pm
Family Workshop: Collecting Your Story
Family Workshop: Collecting Your Story
In this free workshop, families will learn about the importance of collecting to telling their story.
Sat, Nov 7, 2026 at 11:30am & 1pm
Family Workshop: To Be a Shakespearean Actor
Family Workshop: To Be a Shakespearean Actor
In this free workshop, families will try out Elizabethan acting styles and learn about the power of Shakespeare’s words to inspire actors, trends, and riots.
Sat, Dec 5, 2026 at 11:30am & 1pm
Family Workshop: The Fantastical World of Shakespeare
Family Workshop: The Fantastical World of Shakespeare
In this free workshop, families will explore the world of fairies and wizards seen in Shakespeare’s plays.
Sat, Jan 2, 2027 at 11:30am & 1pm
Family Workshop: My Shakespearean Monologue
Family Workshop: My Shakespearean Monologue
In this free workshop, families will use words and phrases from Shakespeare’s plays to create personal monologues about who they are, with a chance to proudly perform it for everyone to hear.
Sat, Feb 6, 2027 at 11:30am & 1pm
Family Workshop: Expressing Your Story
Family Workshop: Expressing Your Story
In this free workshop, families will explore the Folger exhibits and create their own artwork showcasing who they are.
Sat, Mar 6, 2027 at 11:30am & 1pm
Family Workshop: Drama in the Learning Lab
Family Workshop: Drama in the Learning Lab
In this free workshop, families will recreate scenes from Shakespeare sure to make other participants gasp and swoon.
Sat, Apr 3, 2027 at 11:30am & 1pm
Family Workshop: Learning Lab Print Shop
Family Workshop: Learning Lab Print Shop
In this free workshop, families will learn about printing in the early modern period and try out some printing skills.
Sat, May 8, 2027 at 11:30am & 1pm
Family Workshop: Shakespeare Out Loud
Family Workshop: Shakespeare Out Loud
In this free workshop, families will look at famous speeches and debates from Shakespeare's plays and speak out about what is important to them.
Sat, Jun 5, 2027 at 11:30am & 1pm
For teachers
We offer professional development for teaching Shakespeare, with online and in-person options.
New Ways into Romeo and Juliet with the Folger Method
New Ways into Romeo and Juliet with the Folger Method
Teachers, join us for a free, one-hour professional development session on new ways to approach Romeo and Juliet with students.
Wed, Sep 16, 2026, 8pm ET
Teaching Othello with the Folger Guide
Teaching Othello with the Folger Guide
This two-hour professional development session for teachers focuses on teaching Othello using the Folger Guide.
Sat, Sep 19, 2026, 10am ET
Inventing the Icon: How Shakespeare Became "Shakespeare"
Inventing the Icon: How Shakespeare Became "Shakespeare"
Teachers, join us for a free, one-hour professional development session with Shakespeare scholar Paul Menzer.
Wed, Oct 14, 2026, 8pm ET
Teacher Weekend Intensive: Shakespeare and Civics
Teacher Weekend Intensive: Shakespeare and Civics
Folger Education is offering a two-day professional development workshop for teachers focused on Shakespeare and civic engagement.
Fri, Oct 23 – Sat, Oct 24, 2026
Reading Like Writers: The Folger Method and Student Writing
Reading Like Writers: The Folger Method and Student Writing
Teachers, join us for a free, one-hour professional development session on the Folger Method and student writing.
Wed, Nov 4, 2026, 8pm ET
Teaching Macbeth with the Folger Guide
Teaching Macbeth with the Folger Guide
This two-hour professional development session for teachers focuses on teaching Macbeth using the Folger Guide.
Sat, Nov 14, 2026, 10am ET
Teaching Romeo and Juliet with the Folger Guide
Teaching Romeo and Juliet with the Folger Guide
This two-hour professional development session for teachers focuses on teaching Romeo and Juliet using the Folger Guide.
Sat, Jan 16, 2027, 10am ET
Teaching Hamlet with the Folger Guide
Teaching Hamlet with the Folger Guide
This two-hour professional development session for teachers focuses on teaching Hamlet using the Folger Guide.
Sat, Feb 6, 2027, 10am ET
The Play’s the Thing: Teaching Hamlet at the Folger
The Play’s the Thing: Teaching Hamlet at the Folger
Folger Education is offering a two-day professional development workshop for teachers focused on taking a deep dive into Hamlet.
Fri, Mar 12 – Sat, Mar 13, 2027
Teaching A Midsummer Night's Dream with the Folger Guide
Teaching A Midsummer Night's Dream with the Folger Guide
This two-hour professional development session for teachers focuses on teaching A Midsummer Night's Dream using the Folger Guide.
Sat, Apr 10, 2027, 10am ET
The Humanities Lab
Have fun while learning! Talk with scholars, explore the Folger collection, and see a play.
Humanities Lab: To Hear Her Speak
Humanities Lab: To Hear Her Speak
Dive into themes in the Folger exhibitions while talking with scholars, exploring the Folger collection, and seeing Shakespeare's Measure for Measure as part of this course at the Folger.
Sat, Oct 17, 2026, 10:00am – 5:30pm
Humanities Lab: Hamlet
Humanities Lab: Hamlet
Learn more about Hamlet by talking with scholars, viewing items in the Folger collection, and seeing the play as part of this full-day course.
Sat, Mar 20, 2027, 10:00am – 5:30pm
Humanities Lab: The Comedy of Errors
Humanities Lab: The Comedy of Errors
Learn more about Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors by talking with scholars and seeing the play as part of this full-day course.
Sat, Jun 12, 2027, 10:00am – 5:30pm
Ticket information
Contact the Folger Box Office at (202) 544-7077 or folgerboxoffice@folger.edu.
