Dive into the early modern period with a field trip at the Folger. Take a guided tour and, if time permits, enhance your visit with a Student Experience to build confidence in literacy in Shakespeare and engage with objects from the Folger collection through observational and hands-on activities.
Student tours at the Folger
Take a tour of the Folger led by an experienced guide. The Folger offers 45-minute tours for student groups in the exhibition halls and historic spaces, including the Great Hall and the Theatre.
Please note that the Theatre may be closed to visitors during rehearsals and performances.
Cost
$10 per person
DC Public Schools and Title 1 DMV schools: $150 per group
All tour bookings include admission to the Folger; timed-entry passes do not need to be reserved separately.
Group size
Minimum: 6
Maximum: 40
All group sizes include teachers and chaperones. Larger group sizes can be discussed with Folger staff.
Student Experiences at the Folger
Student Experiences are Folger field trips tailored to your students and what you’re studying in class. Pair a guided tour with an interactive, up-on-your-feet Folger Method workshop— bringing Shakespeare’s language off the page and into action. Add a Collections Focus for an extended, up-close experience with materials from our collection.
Workshop topics
Both Student Experiences include a workshop. Educators can choose from the following options.
- Introduction to Shakespeare: This workshop is ideal for students who would like to learn more about William Shakespeare and his language without focusing on a particular play.
- Shakespeare in Your Classroom: This workshop is ideal for students who are learning about a Shakespeare play in their classroom. It includes two of the following Folger Method activities that are chosen in conversation with the educator and Folger staff: Tone & Stress, Two-line Scenes, or Choral Reading. Choose from one of the following plays to dive deeper into Shakespeare’s language:
- Hamlet
- Macbeth
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream
- Othello
- Romeo and Juliet
- The Tempest
- Custom Workshop: You can request a custom Folger Method workshop on additional Shakespeare plays taught in your classroom or other Folger Method activities. Custom workshops are priced at $350.
EXPERIENCE A
Workshop and Tour: $300–$350
Suitable for grades PreK–12
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Combine a 45-minute Folger Method workshop with a 45-minute tour of the Folger. The tour will take students through the exhibition halls, the Great Hall, and the Theatre (availability dependent upon rehearsals and performances). Must be reserved at least four weeks in advance.
Group size
Minimum: 6
Maximum: 40
All group sizes include teachers and chaperones. Larger group sizes can be discussed with Folger staff and will include an additional fee of $5 per participant.
Availability for Experience A
Wednesdays and Thursdays
Start times between 10am–2pm
EXPERIENCE B
Collections Focus, Workshop, and Tour: $450–$500
Suitable for grades 6 –12
Total time: 2 hours
In addition to a 45-minute Folger Method workshop and 45-minute tour of the Folger, this experience includes a 30-minute-deep dive into collection items on display in the exhibition halls with a Folger staff member. Must be reserved at least four weeks in advance.
Please see above for workshop topic options.
Collections Focus topics
Educators can choose from the following topics for their Collections Focus.
- Focus On…Printing & the First Folio
- Dive into the historic printing process, focusing on the first full collection of Shakespeare’s plays.
- Focus On…Play On the Folger Stage
- Learn more about the Folger Theatre production on stage.
- Focus On…Practical Skills
- Speak with professionals from the Folger to learn more about working in public humanities.
- Focus On…Temporary Exhibition
- Spend extra time in the temporary exhibition currently on display. This option is only available when the temporary exhibition is on display. Learn more about our upcoming temporary exhibition here.
Group size
Minimum: 6
Maximum: 40
All group sizes include teachers and chaperones. Larger group sizes can be discussed with Folger staff and will include an additional fee of $5 per participant.