2013 Folger Gala

The 2013 Folger Gala was a great success. With the generosity of our sponsors, guests, and donors, we raised $260,000 for the Folger Shakespeare Library’s programs, which bring the very best in Shakespeare education and performance to schoolchildren, scholars, and audiences in the Washington area and beyond.

We extend a very special thanks to Gala Co-Chairs, Edward and Patricia Leahy, and the Gala Committee whose leadership and efforts helped achieve this success. Thank you also to Honorary Co-Chairs, the British Ambassador and Lady Westmacott and the Ambassador of Ireland and Mrs. Collins, for their patronage and for the kind sentiments about the Folger that Ambassador Collins shared in his remarks.

More than 200 guests enjoyed the exhibition viewing of “Nobility and Newcomers in Renaissance Ireland” followed by the hilarious “Instant Pyramus & Thisbe” directed by Aaron Posner. The cast of Folger favorites, Cody Nickell, Kate Eastwood Norris, Ian Merrill Peakes, Karen Peakes, Holly Twyford, and musician Cliff Eberhardt, gave us an insightful and humorous look at the art of performing Shakespeare. The evening was topped off by a delectable dinner in the exquisite Gail Kern Paster Reading Room. You may enjoy reading the event coverage in Bloomberg News .

Honorary Co-Chairs

The British Ambassador and Lady Westmacott

The Ambassador of Ireland and Mrs. Collins

Gala Chairs

Edward and Patricia Leahy

2013 Folger Gala Committee

Jarrett and Nora Arp
The Lord Browne of Madingley
Dick and Heather Cass
Bonnie and Louis Cohen
Nicky and Steve Cymrot
Philip Deutch and Marne Levine
David and Margaret Gardner
Susan Sachs Goldman
Maxine Isaacs
Carol and Eugene Ludwig
Ken Ludwig and Adrienne George
The Honorable John D. Macomber
William and Louisa Newlin
Darcy and Andrew Nussbaum
Herman J. Obermayer
David and Mary Parsons
Gail Kern Paster
Paul and Joanne Ruxin
Mr. and Mrs. B. Francis Saul II
Mallory and Diana Walker
Mr. and Mrs. Morrison Des. Webb

Honorary Committee