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
Shakespeare's Birthday Celebration 2026
Shakespeare's Birthday Celebration
Celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday at the Folger with fun, family-friendly activities and birthday cupcakes for all! Make an Elizabethan ruff, watch sword-fighting and printing press demonstrations, write sonnets, and more at this free event.
Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 11am
Shakespeare's Birthday Lecture: "Shakespeare and Immigration" with Dr. Emma Smith
Shakespeare's Birthday Lecture: "Shakespeare and Immigration" with Dr. Emma Smith
Join us for the Folger Institute’s annual Shakespeare’s Birthday Lecture with Dr. Emma Smith, Professor of Shakespeare Studies at Oxford University.
Sat, Apr 18, 2026 at 7pm
Screening: Shakespeare's Globe "Richard II," introduced by Adjoa Andoh MBE
Shakespeare's Globe Richard II
Join the Folger for a free screening of the 2019 Shakespeare’s Globe production of Richard II. Adjoa Andoh MBE conceived, co-directed, and played the lead in the UK’s first all women-of-color production of this Shakespeare play.
Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 7pm
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