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Family Workshop: An Ode to the Gardens
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DC/Folger Theatre/Family Workshop: An Ode to the Gardens

Family Workshop: An Ode to the Gardens

Folger Theatre · Capitol Hill

Art Formperformance_art
Who It's Good For

Ideal for families with children old enough to engage with Shakespeare excerpts (roughly 8+) and parents who want their kids to experience poetry as something they *make*, not just consume. Skip this if your family prefers passive performances, but if you want a morning that genuinely teaches literary thinking while getting outside, this hits differently than a typical kids' workshop.

This Capitol Hill workshop bridges Shakespeare's natural imagery with the Folger's own grounds, inviting families to become poets themselves. Participants will explore how both Shakespeare and Rita Dove used gardens as metaphors for growth and transformation, then apply those lessons by crafting original odes inspired by the Folger's seasonal landscape. It's a hands-on literary experience that treats the venue itself—gardens and all—as a text to be read and responded to, rather than simply a backdrop. The workshop honors the Folger's role as both archive and living cultural space.

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Folger Theatre is in Capitol Hill. The nearest Metro station is Union Station (Red Line), located about a 10-minute walk away. The Blue and Silver Lines also serve Union Station, making it accessible from multiple directions across the city.
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Last updated April 5, 2026 · Summaries written by Theaterloop editors with AI assistance

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