emma poltrack
Summer Reading: Beach Reads
It’s the heart of summer—and the perfect time to explore some recommended beach reads from the annals of our Folger Book Club!
“The Problem of the Theatre”
A brief history of Folger Theatre.
Exit, Pursued by a Polar? Bear
A brief look at Shakespeare’s most famous stage direction.
The Amateur of Fashion: Robert "Romeo" Coates
Meet Robert “Romeo” Coates, a 19th century gent better known for his antics (and fashion sense) than his acting.
'Booth' Resource Guide
Folger resources related to Folger resources related to 19th-century Shakespeare performance and the Booth family to accompany the February 2023 book club discussion of Booth.
About 'Booth' by Karen Joy Fowler
Introductory information on the February 2023 Folger Book Club selection, Karen Joy Fowler’s intimate portrayal of an American family whose celebrity turned to infamy,
'Black Cake' Resource Guide
Folger resources related to food and food pathways to accompany the December 2022 book club discussion of Black Cake.
About 'Black Cake' by Charmaine Wilkerson
Introductory information on this multi-generational family story, the December 2022 Folger Book Club selection.
Shakespeare Lines for Evil Laughter
We’re helping you prepare for DC Public Library’s Evil Laugh Contest with some deviously delightful Shakespeare lines you can use in your performance.
Collection Connections: 'Learwife' by J.R. Thorp
Held on the first Thursday of the month, the Folger’s virtual book club is free and open to all. Here, Dr. emma poltrack, shares items she presented on September 8, 2022 as an introduction to Learwife by J.R. Thorp.
Innogen and Ghost Characters
In a humorous post from 2017, web comic creator Mya Gosling mused about the absence of mothers in Shakespeare’s plays. Employing her signature stick-figure style, she presented a series of single-panel comics that put these absent maternal figures back in…
Collection Connections: 'Love in Color: Mythical Tales from Around the World, Retold' by Bolu Babalola
Dr. emma poltrack shares items she presented on June 2, 2022 as an introduction to ‘Love in Color: Mythical Tales from Around the World, Retold’ by Bolu Babalola.