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Secondary School Shakespeare Festival

2026 Festival: March 17, 18, 24, and 25

The Folger Secondary School Shakespeare Festival has brought thousands of middle and high school students to the Folger Shakespeare Library’s Elizabethan-style Theatre for over 40 years. It’s a cherished tradition that’s full of learning, community, and fun.

This festival is made possible in part through the generosity of the Chorzempa Family Foundation.

Why does the Folger have a festival?

  • Students come together to meet, collaborate, and celebrate one another while connecting with Shakespeare, a playwright whose work continues to resonate across generations. In staging these performances, students develop critical thinking skills and build their creative capacity. 
  • The Festival is about introducing Shakespeare’s language to students through speech and performance. Students learn by doing—experiencing discovery, creativity, and joy throughout the process. 
  • The process matters most. This is not about polished performances or acting talent. It’s about student voice, exploration, and shared experience. 
  • It’s big fun! The Folger Secondary School Shakespeare Festival is joyful and non-competitive. No prior experience performing Shakespeare is necessary. 

How can students participate in the festival?  

  • Groups may come from an English class, an afterschool program, a drama class, a school club—or maybe you just started teaching the play or just started teaching altogether. All are welcome. 
  • Students take the lead. Performers, musicians, editors, and directors—all students—work together to create a 15-minute piece of Shakespeare, edited and produced however you like. 
  • Shakespeare’s original language must be used, but we welcome creative adaptations. This includes bilingual productions or mash-ups of different Shakespeare plays. 
  • No full costumes are allowed. Instead, use costume pieces like hats, scarves, or capes, along with minimal props. 
  • Students perform on the Folger stage, and we can’t wait to see them there. 

 

Folger Student Shakespeare Festival 201 E. Capital St SE Washington DC 20003 Students from Poe Middle School, Montgomery Blair HS, Duke Ellington HS, Falls Church HS and others

What’s a festival day like? 

Folger Student Shakespeare Festival 201 E. Capital St SE Washington DC 20003 Students from Poe Middle School, Montgomery Blair HS, Duke Ellington HS, Falls Church HS and others
  • Your group of student cast and crew members arrive at the Folger at 8am and stays until the end of the day. 
  • You’ll perform your 15-minute piece and be part of the audience for the other student groups performing throughout the day. 
  • At the end of the day, each student receives a certificate, a book, and a Festival T-shirt to mark the occasion. 

If you have specific questions about the Folger Secondary School Shakespeare Festival, please contact Liam Dempsey ldempsey@folger.edu.