{"id":358574,"date":"2024-09-03T10:20:29","date_gmt":"2024-09-03T14:20:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/?p=358574"},"modified":"2024-09-03T10:20:29","modified_gmt":"2024-09-03T14:20:29","slug":"whats-new-at-the-folger-shakespeare-library-a-theater-lover-has-a-look","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/2024\/09\/03\/whats-new-at-the-folger-shakespeare-library-a-theater-lover-has-a-look\/","title":{"rendered":"What&#8217;s new at the Folger Shakespeare Library? A theater lover has a look."},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The world\u2019s largest Shakespeare library has been reinvigorated. Following a four-year, $80.5-million renovation, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.folger.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Folger Shakespeare Library<\/a> in DC\u2019s Capitol Hill neighborhood has unveiled a 12,000-square-foot expansion. The new lower-level gallery makes the Folger a full-day attraction; my recent tour showed an expansion that is dynamically curated, with thought-provoking spaces worth returning to time and time again.<\/p>\n<p>The new exhibits include Shakespeare&#8217;s remarkable 82 First Folios, a cornerstone of the Library\u2019s collection. There is also a commissioned artistic piece about Shakespeare\u2019s legacy and how race is portrayed. And for generations young and old, there is a \u201cprinting press.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_358581\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-358581\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-358581 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/ShakespeareExhibitionHall_PrintingPress.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/ShakespeareExhibitionHall_PrintingPress.jpg 800w, https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/ShakespeareExhibitionHall_PrintingPress-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/ShakespeareExhibitionHall_PrintingPress-460x345.jpg 460w, https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/ShakespeareExhibitionHall_PrintingPress-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-358581\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Caroline Duroselle Melish, Associate Librarian for Collection Care and Development at the Folger Shakespeare Library, gives a lesson in printing to Clarence Michael Payne (Folger Theatre\u2019s \u2018The Winter\u2019s Tale\u2019). The printing press was constructed by historic printing press builder Alan May and is located in the Shakespeare Exhibition Hall at the Folger Shakespeare Library. Photo by Lloyd Wolf.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This was a particularly fun stop when I visited the new space, as while I appreciate Shakespeare\u2019s works, I have never been the best at understanding his language. Yet here you can just \u201cplay\u201d with Shakespeare\u2019s words \u2014\u00a0 there is a pile of over 100 of them right in front of you \u2014 to set in a line that he wrote (or choose one of your own) to display on screen.<\/p>\n<p>There are countless combinations to humor, compliment, or even insult in the words of the world\u2019s most famous playwright. Theater lovers should make sure to check it out.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_358579\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-358579\" style=\"width: 200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-358579\" src=\"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Folger_KarenAnnDanielscrPeggyRyan-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Folger_KarenAnnDanielscrPeggyRyan-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Folger_KarenAnnDanielscrPeggyRyan-307x460.jpg 307w, https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Folger_KarenAnnDanielscrPeggyRyan.jpg 667w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-358579\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Karen Ann Daniels, Folger Shakespeare Library\u2019s Director of Programming and Artistic Director of Folger Theatre. Photo by Peggy Ryan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The Library\u2019s vision is now guided by <a href=\"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/2021\/10\/12\/for-folgers-karen-ann-daniels-the-bards-big-o-stands-for-opportunity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Karen Ann Daniels<\/a>, who joined the Folger in October 2021 as Director of Programming\/Artistic Director of Folger Theatre, from New York City\u2019s Public Theater. She has a vision focused on connectivity. \u201cWe are driven to build programming that creates natural bridges between the historical items like Shakespeare\u2019s folios and making a visceral, meaningful connection to a modern audience,\u201d Daniels said. \u201cWe are also eager for people of all ages and stages of life to think of the Folger as their go-to place to inquire, to learn, and to gather.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It is meaningful to see the Folger connect with the modern audience; for theater aficionados, in particular, it is fantastic to better appreciate the connection between the Library and its stage. For example, there is space devoted to the recent<a href=\"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/2024\/05\/16\/folger-theatre-mounts-a-transcendent-metamorphoses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> acclaimed production<\/a> of Mary Zimmerman\u2019s <em>Metamorphoses, <\/em>directed by Psalmayene 24 and featuring an all-Black cast, where you can see and understand how the books of Shakespeare were used to inform the show\u2019s development. I have seen Psalm\u2019s dynamic work in multiple DC performing arts spaces; it was exciting to \u201cdork out\u201d and learn how he integrated the Library\u2019s resources into this production.<\/p>\n<p>The Folger, founded and administered by Amherst College, has upped its engagement opportunities inside and outside of its theater. Earlier in 2024, the second iteration of The Reading Room Festival was held: this now annual event allows writers to share work inspired by, or in response to, the plays of Shakespeare.<\/p>\n<p>As a homeowner with a half-hour trek to Capitol Hill, it is also wonderful to see that the Library has increased its engagement opportunities in the broader DC community. Folger artist-in-residence Katherine Harroff recently launched \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.folger.edu\/whats-on\/programs\/dc-me-community-stories\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DC &amp; Me<\/a>,\u201d which seeks to \u201cgather and uplift community stories\u201d within the District. The installation includes stories from residents of Anacostia, Mount Pleasant, and Penn Quarter, which are now shared within those three neighborhoods\u2019 DC Public Libraries through September 9.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_358583\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-358583\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-358583 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Folger-a-800x1000-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Folger-a-800x1000-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Folger-a-800x1000-1-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Folger-a-800x1000-1-368x460.jpg 368w, https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Folger-a-800x1000-1-768x960.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-358583\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">TOP: Shakespeare First Folio. London, 1623. Folger Shakespeare Library; ABOVE: The Into the Vault gallery in the Rose Exhibition Hall displays books printed in the 1620s in the same era as the First Folio. Photos by Lloyd Wolf.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>One of the most exciting aspects of the new space, for individuals who wonder why Shakespeare matters in the 21st century, is a new artistic commission by artist Fred Wilson. I consider myself to be part of that group of critics; I found this exhibit (entitled <a href=\"https:\/\/www.folger.edu\/blogs\/folger-story\/fred-wilsons-reflection-of-past-and-present-draws-in-visitors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>God me such uses send, Not to pick bad from bad, but by bad men<\/em><\/a> [a line from <em>Othello<\/em>]) to be a riveting look at, in the artist&#8217;s words, \u201cthe most famous Black Venetian who never lived.&#8221;\u00a0With it at the Folger is also an engraving of Shakespearean actor Ira Aldridge as Othello (who, in 1825, became likely the first Black actor to assume this role) and a gorgeous painting of Elizabeth I. The Wilson pieces provide an encapsulation of race, gender, and power fit for the Folger\u2019s home in Washington, DC; they are an important counterpoint to educate those who may have questioned the relevance of Shakespeare because of the era he wrote in.<\/p>\n<p>As to the future of the Folger, I look forward to coming back and seeing what will come next among the set of exhibits that will rotate regularly. Yet it\u2019s not just the exhibition space in the modern Folger; you can bring your loved one to \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.folger.edu\/programmes\/folger-fridays\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Folger Fridays<\/a>\u201d and your kids to \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/events.folger.edu\/8836\/8842\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Folger Family Takeover<\/a>\u201d (keep them satiated at the Library&#8217;s soon-to-open <a href=\"https:\/\/www.folger.edu\/visit\/folger-cafe-quill-crumb\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Quill &amp; Crumb<\/a> caf\u00e9; meanwhile, the delicious milkshakes of Good Stuff Eatery are just a five-minute walk away).<\/p>\n<p>Many people, like me, have only been to the Folger for a play. They have never been to its Great Hall, never seen the stunning Reading Room, and never had the chance to explore what the Library has to offer. This new expansion, coupled with diverse programming on Capitol Hill and in the community, evokes an important 21st-century chapter for this DC arts institution.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_358584\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-358584\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-358584\" src=\"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2024AK15_117.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2024AK15_117.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2024AK15_117-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2024AK15_117-460x345.jpeg 460w, https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2024AK15_117-768x576.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-358584\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Folger Shakespeare Library\u2019s East Entrance at night, with view of the Capitol Building. Photo \u00a9 Alan Karchmer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.folger.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>The Folger Shakespeare Library<\/strong><\/a> is located at 201 East Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC. Regular operating hours are:<\/p>\n<p>Monday: closed<br \/>\nTuesday: 11 am\u20136 pm<br \/>\nWednesday: 11 am\u20136 pm<br \/>\nThursday: 11 am\u20139 pm<br \/>\nFriday: 11 am\u20139 pm<br \/>\nSaturday: 11 am\u20139 pm<br \/>\nSunday: 11 am\u20136 pm<\/p>\n<p>Hours may be extended Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday if performances are scheduled in the theater. The Reading Room has its own <a href=\"https:\/\/www.folger.edu\/research\/use-the-library\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hours of operation.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Tours will be offered at noon and 4pm Sunday\u2013Wednesday, with an additional tour offered Thursday\u2013Saturday at 7pm.<\/p>\n<p>Find visitor information <a href=\"https:\/\/www.folger.edu\/visit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>here.<\/strong><\/a> The Folger recommends timed-entry passes to ensure entry into the Folger\u2019s new exhibition halls at the time of you choosing. Passes may be booked up to three months in advance. Admission to the Folger is free, though a donation of $15 per person is suggested to support operating costs.<\/p>\n<p><strong>SEE ALSO:<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><a title=\"Folger Shakespeare Library to open new galleries, caf\u00e9, and shop June 21\" href=\"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/2024\/02\/01\/folger-shakespeare-library-to-open-new-galleries-cafe-and-shop-june-21\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Folger Shakespeare Library to open new galleries, caf\u00e9, and shop <\/a><\/strong>(news story, February 1, 2024)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The author&#8217;s recent tour of the dynamically curated expansion revealed thought-provoking spaces worth returning to time and again.   By ERIC COLCHAMIRO<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":57,"featured_media":358581,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-358574","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-interviews"},"acf":[],"apple_news_notices":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v21.0 (Yoast SEO v26.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What&#039;s new at the Folger Shakespeare Library? A theater lover has a look. - DC Theater Arts<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The author&#039;s recent tour of the dynamically curated expansion revealed thought-provoking spaces worth returning to time and again.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/2024\/09\/03\/whats-new-at-the-folger-shakespeare-library-a-theater-lover-has-a-look\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What&#039;s new at the Folger Shakespeare Library? 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His favorite local productions include Caryl Churchill's A Number at Studio Theatre, Sarah Ruhl's A Clean House at Woolly Mammoth, and Psalmayene 24's Monumental Travesties at Mosaic. Eric is a native of the Boston area, happily married, and loves taking his young daughter out for a show whenever he can.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/author\/eric-colchamiro\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"What's new at the Folger Shakespeare Library? 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A theater lover has a look. - DC Theater Arts","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/2024\/09\/03\/whats-new-at-the-folger-shakespeare-library-a-theater-lover-has-a-look\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/2024\/09\/03\/whats-new-at-the-folger-shakespeare-library-a-theater-lover-has-a-look\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/ShakespeareExhibitionHall_PrintingPress.jpg","datePublished":"2024-09-03T14:20:29+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/#\/schema\/person\/a975d1cc2032ab1a4f9d961c0073adce"},"description":"The author's recent tour of the dynamically curated expansion revealed thought-provoking spaces worth returning to time and again.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/2024\/09\/03\/whats-new-at-the-folger-shakespeare-library-a-theater-lover-has-a-look\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/2024\/09\/03\/whats-new-at-the-folger-shakespeare-library-a-theater-lover-has-a-look\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/2024\/09\/03\/whats-new-at-the-folger-shakespeare-library-a-theater-lover-has-a-look\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/ShakespeareExhibitionHall_PrintingPress.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/ShakespeareExhibitionHall_PrintingPress.jpg","width":800,"height":600,"caption":"Caroline Duroselle Melish, Associate Librarian for Collection Care and Development at the Folger Shakespeare Library, gives a lesson in printing to Clarence Michael Payne (Folger Theatre\u2019s \u2018The Winter\u2019s Tale\u2019). The printing press was constructed by historic printing press builder Alan May and is located in the Shakespeare Exhibition Hall at the Folger Shakespeare Library. Photo by Lloyd Wolf."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/2024\/09\/03\/whats-new-at-the-folger-shakespeare-library-a-theater-lover-has-a-look\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What&#8217;s new at the Folger Shakespeare Library? A theater lover has a look."}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/#website","url":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/","name":"DC Theater Arts","description":"Washington, DC&#039;s most comprehensive source of performing arts coverage.","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/#\/schema\/person\/a975d1cc2032ab1a4f9d961c0073adce","name":"Eric Colchamiro","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/cropped-eric-colchamiro-96x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/cropped-eric-colchamiro-96x96.jpg","caption":"Eric Colchamiro"},"description":"A longtime theatergoer in the DMV, Eric counts eight Playbill books full of theatrical experiences as one of his prized possessions. His favorite local productions include Caryl Churchill's A Number at Studio Theatre, Sarah Ruhl's A Clean House at Woolly Mammoth, and Psalmayene 24's Monumental Travesties at Mosaic. Eric is a native of the Boston area, happily married, and loves taking his young daughter out for a show whenever he can.","url":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/author\/eric-colchamiro\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/358574","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/57"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=358574"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/358574\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/358581"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=358574"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=358574"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=358574"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}