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All 74 posts by

emma poltrack

has a PhD in English and Comparative Literature Studies (with a focus on contemporary Shakespearean performance) from University of Warwick. She earned her MA in Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon and the Cultural History of Renaissance England at The Shakespeare Institute.
Exit, Pursued by a Polar? Bear
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Exit, Pursued by a Polar? Bear

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Author
emma poltrack

A brief look at Shakespeare’s most famous stage direction.

The Amateur of Fashion: Robert "Romeo" Coates
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The Amateur of Fashion: Robert "Romeo" Coates

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Author
emma poltrack

Meet Robert “Romeo” Coates, a 19th century gent better known for his antics (and fashion sense) than his acting.

'Booth' Resource Guide
Folger Spotlight

'Booth' Resource Guide

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emma poltrack

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
Folger Spotlight

About 'Booth' by Karen Joy Fowler

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Author
emma poltrack

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
An illustration of a stack of books next to the book cover of Black Cake by Charmain Wilkerson
Folger Spotlight

'Black Cake' Resource Guide

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Author
emma poltrack

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
Folger Spotlight

About 'Black Cake' by Charmaine Wilkerson

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Author
emma poltrack

Introductory information on this multi-generational family story, the December 2022 Folger Book Club selection.

Shakespeare Lines for Evil Laughter
Shakespeare and Beyond

Shakespeare Lines for Evil Laughter

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Author
emma poltrack

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
Folger Spotlight

Collection Connections: 'Learwife' by J.R. Thorp

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Author
emma poltrack

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
emma poltrack post
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Innogen and Ghost Characters

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Author
emma poltrack

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
Folger Spotlight

Collection Connections: 'Love in Color: Mythical Tales from Around the World, Retold' by Bolu Babalola

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Author
emma poltrack

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.

Resource Guide: 'If We Were Villains' by M. L. Rio
Graphic illustration of stacks of books in purple. aqua, and white
Folger Spotlight

Resource Guide: 'If We Were Villains' by M. L. Rio

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Author
emma poltrack

On April 7, 2022 the Folger hosts its Virtual Book Club, featuring a discussion of If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio. To prepare for the discussion, we have pulled together a list of resources related to the novel,…

Words, Words, Words: 'If We Were Villains' by M. L. Rio
Folger Spotlight

Words, Words, Words: 'If We Were Villains' by M. L. Rio

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Author
emma poltrack

The Folger’s virtual book club continues on Thursday, April 7 with a discussion of ‘If We Were Villains’ by M.L. Rio. To get ready for the conversation, we’ve compiled some introductory information on this twisty thriller about Shakespeare students at…

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