Folger Shakespeare Library

Happy Juneteenth! It's a great time to reflect on the contributions of Black artists, especially those who have shaped our experience of Shakespeare. This image from the Folger collection depicts Paul Robeson as Othello and Uta Hagen as Desdemona. Robeson was the first African American to be cast as Othello in a major production in the United States and the Broadway production ran for 296 performances across 1943-1944. It remains the longest-running Shakespeare play on Broadway.

📷: Paul Robeson in "Othello," Act I Scene 4. ART 254052. Folger Shakespeare Library.

Tonight's performance of "How Shakespeare Saved My Life" has been canceled. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please call our box office at 202-544-7077 to rebook your ticket in another performance free of charge.

Need we say more? 😉 Okay, okay, also says "How Shakespeare Saved My Life" is "heartfelt & mesmerizing."

🎫 : folger.edu/saved

📷 : Jacob Ming-Trent in Folger Theatre's world premiere production of "How Shakespeare Saved My Life," written and performed by Jacob Ming-Trent and directed by Tony Taccone. Photography by Erika Nizborski.

We hope you have a good holiday and look forward to seeing you on the 20th. More information at folger.edu.

To paraphrase the question Stephen Colbert used to ask, is "Slings & Arrows" a great television show, or the greatest television show? On its 20th anniversary, Austin Tichenor takes a look at the 2003-2006 Canadian series about the struggles of a fictional Shakespearean theater. More at the 🔗 in the comments.

Michael Woestehoff of The Washington Lobbyist says, "Meet Shakespeare through someone who loves him. The Folger always welcomes, and this show extends that hand." 🎫 : folger.edu/saved

📷 : Jacob Ming-Trent in Folger Theatre's world premiere production of "How Shakespeare Saved My Life," written and performed by Jacob Ming-Trent and directed by Tony Taccone. Photography by Erika Nizborski.

When the DC humidity hits, the best place to be is indoors, sipping a cocktail and enjoying the air conditioning. We’ve got you covered with "How Shakespeare Saved My Life," a limited engagement through July 5. Broadway star Jacob Ming-Trent lights up the stage while you stay cool in your seat.

Grab a ticket (and then 10% off a cocktail) at folger.edu/saved

We are SEATED for the Opening Night performance of Jacob Ming-Trent's "How Shakespeare Saved My Life." 🍿 An early version of the show was workshopped at the Folger’s Reading Room Festival in 2024 and we are so excited to have it back on our stage. Congratulations to the cast, crew, and creative team! 🎉

🎫 : folger.edu/saved

📷 : Jacob Ming-Trent in Folger Theatre's "How Shakespeare Saved My Life," 2026. Photo by Erika Nizborski

Jacob Ming-Trent's "How Shakespeare Saved My Life" (on stage now at Folger Theatre) includes a performance of Valentine's Act III Scene 1 speech from "The Two Gentlemen of Verona." In the speech, Valentine proclaims his love for Silvia - "What light is light if Sylvia be not seen?/What joy is joy if Sylvia be not by"- so we thought we'd share this collection image of the lady in question. This depiction comes from the Graphic Gallery of Shakespeare's Heroines, published by Sampson Low, Marston & Co., Ltd., 1896.