The Humanities Lab

Inspired by the Folger’s landmark exhibition To Hear Her Speak: Black Women and Shakespeare, participants in this Humanities Lab course will learn how Black women engaged with and used Shakespeare’s language for artistic expression on and off the stage, and will discover a dynamic exhibition of poetry, stagecraft, artistry, and lived experiences.

About the exhibition

To Hear Her Speak explores the histories of Black women in Shakespearean performance and highlights the ways in which Black women have engaged Shakespeare’s language, stories, and characters in their work. This exhibition also builds on new research about the presence of Black women in early modern Europe and shows how they were represented (and misrepresented) by artists and writers of the day.  Nearly 100 objects ranging from photographs, playbills, posters, books, diaries, illustrations, and costumes draw from the Folger collection as well as key loans. Together, they document the stories of Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Lorraine Hansberry, Mae Turner, Esther Rolle, Phillis Wheatley, and many others. As actors, scholars, authors, artists, musicians, directors, and so much more—Black women have spoken Shakespeare’s words into new possibilities.

About the course

In this course, participants will start the day with coffee and a light breakfast alongside an introduction to the Folger. Then, they will attend a private tour of the Folger exhibition halls before public hours to learn more about the history of the library and its collections. They will then explore the exhibition To Hear Her Speak more closely and listen to scholars highlight the contributions Black women made to Shakespearean performance and how they used Shakespeare’s works to bring about new artistic creations. After a lunch break, participants will attend the matinee performance of Folger Theatre’s Measure for Measure. Participants will end their day with a post-show discussion bringing together all elements of the course into final takeaways from a full day at the Folger.

Everyone’s welcome, whatever your knowledge level. All you need is your observation skills and a willingness to learn! Your course fee includes a private tour, morning refreshments, boxed lunch, and your ticket to the matinee performance of Measure for Measure.

We’re keeping the class small, so space is limited – register today!