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Folger Theatre

Folger Theatre is the vibrant center piece of the Folger’s public programs. With a focus on Shakespeare, Folger Theatre produces plays reflecting the breadth of the library’s peerless collection. In this unique setting, with collaborations between artists and experts, Folger Theatre produces innovative stagings that have been commended as “breathtakingly original...strikingly contemporary” (The Washington Post). Led since 1991 by Artistic Producer Janet Alexander Griffin, Folger Theatre has received 135 nominations and 23 Helen Hayes Awards for excellence in acting, direction, design, and production. During the recent seasons Folger Theatre has received the Outstanding Resident Play Award for its productions of Measure for Measure in 2007, Hamlet in 2011 and The Taming of the Shrew in 2013. Other highlights from Folger Theatre’s producing history include these Helen Hayes Award recipients or nominees for outstanding production: Romeo and Juliet (2013), Orestes: A Tragic Romp (2010), Henry VIII (2010), Arcadia (2009), Macbeth (2008), The Two Gentlemen of Verona (2006), Melissa Arctic (2006), She Stoops to Conquer (2002), Shakespeare’s R & J (2001), Much Ado About Nothing (1998), and Romeo and Juliet (1997).
The Many Neckties of Sense & Sensibility
Folger Spotlight

The Many Neckties of Sense & Sensibility

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Folger Theatre

In this post, designer Mariah Hale takes us a deep dive into the Regency neckware featured in Sense & Sensibility. Check out her costume sketches for more backstage insights, and read on to learn how Mariah uses different styles of neckties to help define the colorful characters…

Sense & Sensibility Set Designer John McDermott - Part 2
Folger Spotlight

Sense & Sensibility Set Designer John McDermott - Part 2

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Folger Theatre

Sense & Sensibility set designer John McDermott designed Bedlam’s Sense & Sensibility in New York and has designed over 100 productions in theaters around the country. Check out the first part of his reflections on the Folger’s Sense & Sensibility and read on to learn about about why designing this production…

Sense & Sensibility Set Designer John McDermott
Folger Spotlight

Sense & Sensibility Set Designer John McDermott

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Folger Theatre

Sense & Sensibility is set designer John McDermott’s first Folger production. He designed Bedlam’s Sense & Sensibility in New York and has designed over 100 productions in theaters around the country. You can learn more about John’s work and see photos of his previous designs on…

Meet the Cast of Sense & Sensibility
Folger Spotlight

Meet the Cast of Sense & Sensibility

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Folger Theatre

Sense & Sensibility starts rehearsals on Monday and performances on September 13. Come meet the Dashwoods, Steeles, Middletons and more! The Dashwood Sisters The Eligible Bachelors  Friends of the Dashwoods The Steele Sisters 

District Merchants Production Photos
Folger Spotlight

District Merchants Production Photos

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Folger Theatre

District Merchants started performances on Tuesday and the first images are in!

District Merchants Set Design
Folger Spotlight

District Merchants Set Design

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Folger Theatre

Scenic Designer Tony Cisek has designed tens of shows at the Folger, including Mary Stuart, Julius Caesar, Twelfth Night, and Henry V. His assistant designer Paige Hathaway recently designed A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. Read Paige’s insights into the design of District Merchants below and join us…

District Merchants Rehearsal Photos
Folger Spotlight

District Merchants Rehearsal Photos

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Folger Theatre

The District Merchants team continues to rehearse in preparation for their move to the theater next week. Check out photos from rehearsal below and  join us for this world premiere production. Don’t forget, May 31 is Pay-What-You-Will night – tickets will be distributed at…

District Merchants Costume Design
Folger Spotlight

District Merchants Costume Design

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Folger Theatre

District Merchants costume designer Meghan Raham previously designed the sets for the Folger Theatre productions of The Conference of the Birds and Romeo and Juliet. Learn about her design process for this “Uneasy Comedy” below, and join us for District Merchants starting May 31. Research and design sketches…

Midsummer Illustrated Quotes
Folger Spotlight

Midsummer Illustrated Quotes

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Folger Theatre

Check out these beautifully illustrated quotes from A Midsummer Night’s Dream! You can find more images of quotes from Shakespeare’s plays on the Folger Pinterest page. A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Folger, now extended though March 13!

A Midsummer Night's Dream Costume Design
Folger Spotlight

A Midsummer Night's Dream Costume Design

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Folger Theatre

Costume Designer Devon Painter previously designed productions of Cyrano, Macbeth, and Measure for Measure at the Folger before turning her talents to A Midsummer Night’s Dream this season. You can see costume renderings from her past Folger productions on her website. From Devon – From the…

A Midsummer Night's Dream Set Design
Folger Spotlight

A Midsummer Night's Dream Set Design

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Folger Theatre

Set Designer Paige Hathaway previously designed Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead at the Folger, and returns this season with A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Learn more about her design for Shakespeare’s sylvan romance below. From Paige – My design process for the set of Midsummer started…

Midsummer Synopsis
Folger Spotlight

Midsummer Synopsis

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Folger Theatre

Purchase a Folger edition of Midsummer at the Gift Shop. In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, residents of Athens mix with fairies from a local forest, with comic results. In the city, Theseus, Duke of Athens, is to marry Hippolyta, Queen…

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