On May 2, 2024 the Folger’s virtual book club continues with a discussion of The East Indian by Brinda Charry. To prepare for the discussion, we have pulled together a list of resources related to A Midsummer Night’s Dream and America’s early colonization.
READ the Shakespeare play referenced throughout novel
EXPLORE the play’s connection to trade and early globilization
- ‘In the spiced Indian air’: Trading coin and cloth in the empire of the Great Mughal
- Shakespeare’s Asia: Ships, spices, and porcelain
- written by Su Fang Ng, May’s guest speaker
- “More strange than true”: Finding America among the fairies
LISTEN to podcast episodes related to colonial history and impact
We would like to thank the following organization for its generous support of this program

Join us for a future event
How to Be a Power Player: Tudor Edition

How to Be a Power Player: Tudor Edition
Social climbing was a competitive sport in Tudor England, requiring a complex range of skills, strategies, and techniques. This exhibition explores what it takes to become an early modern mover and shaker.
Fri, Feb 21 – Sun, Aug 10, 2025
A Midsummer Night's Dream in May

A Midsummer Night's Dream in May
In this professional development session from Folger Education, teachers will explore the ways that connecting complex texts can help students dive deep into language.
Wed, May 28, 2025, 8pm
Queer Dramaturgy with Alexa Alice Joubin

Queer Dramaturgy with Alexa Alice Joubin
Join Professor Alexa Alice Joubin for a workshop on queer dramaturgy before seeing the Folger Theatre production of Twelfth Night.
Fri, May 30, 2025, 6:30pm
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