The State of Shakespeare

Shakespeare's Scholars Three Lessons from the Liberal ArtsOctober 21, 2026 If you don’t learn from the past, you are doomed to repeat it. Sean Keilen uses Shakespeare to explore the notion of how training in the liberal arts is a strong antidote to current trends in AI, Social Media and The Academy. Sean’s book “Shakespeare’s Scholars: Three Lessons from the Liberal Arts” reaches back to the past to navigate into the future and finds Shakespeare a great Captain to guide the journey. Click here for information on Shakespeare's Scholars: Three Lessons from the Liberal Arts. Click here for information on Santa Cruz Shakespeare

Macbeth; Act 1, Scene 5 Lady MacbethAugust 16, 2026 "Oh for a Muse of Fire!" The Santa Cruz Shakespeare Festival is rising! The true Repertory Company is expanding - a rare feat in this day and age. Charles Pasternak and Paige Lindsey White climb the brightest heaven of invention in this season with a Macbeth for the ages. And the plan is to continue to on your imaginary forces work. Click here for information about Santa Cruz Shakespeare Click here to follow along with the Macbeth text. Click here for a Scanned version of Macbeth Click here for a First Folio version of Macbeth. Click here to follow along with the Henry V text. Click here for a Scanned version of Henry V Click here for a First Folio version of Henry V.

Prague Shakespeare Festival Coriolanus: Act 3, Scene 3July 15, 2026 “There is a world elsewhere.” Guy Roberts came to the Czech Republic, a country literally ‘born in theatre', with the dream of creating an English language theatre company in the heart of Europe. After nearly two decades of experience living and working in a city with over eight centuries of theatre history, the founder and Artistic Director of Prague Shakespeare Company presents an “old-world” model with lessons for the theatre makers of tomorrow. "Change your life, change the world, Speak Shakespeare." Click here for information about The Prague Shakespeare Festival Click here for Guy Roberts Ted Talk. Click here to follow along with the text. Click here for a First Folio Version.

Macbeth; Act 5, Scene 5 MacbethJune 24, 2026 For a poor player, strutting and fretting on the stage, sometimes words and verse can spell the difference between life and death.  Jacob Ming-Trent stars in his original, multimedia, one-person play, How Shakespeare Saved My Life, the autobiographical story of how a troubled youth found salvation in poetry.  Playing through July 5 at the Folger Theatre in DC, and coming to the Public and Red Bull Theatre in October. Click here for information about How Shakespeare Saved My Life Click here to follow along with the text. Click here for a Scanned version Click here for a First Folio version.

Othello; Act 2, Scene 1 IagoJune 17, 2026 Who says, "I have to bring my truth to the part I'm playing": Ben Turner or Iago? In the Shakespeare Theatre of DC’s new production of Othello, Ben Turner reveals the humanity and heart beneath Iago’s machinations, transforming Shakespeare’s most overtly “evil” creation into something much more recognizably (and terrifyingly) human. The production runs until June 28. Click here for information about Othello Click here to follow along with the text. Click here for a Scanned version Click here for a First Folio version.