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Out of the Vault
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DC/Folger Theatre/Out of the Vault

Out of the Vault

Folger Theatre · Capitol Hill

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Who It's Good For

Ideal for Shakespeare enthusiasts and book collectors who want to move beyond passive reading, and for theater patrons curious about how productions are researched and staged. Skip this if you're looking for a polished, narrative-driven exhibition—the appeal here is in the intellectual depth and the conversations between objects and ideas.

The Folger Shakespeare Library's 'Out of the Vault' pulls back the curtain on its extraordinary collection, pairing rare books and manuscripts with the institution's diverse programming in theater, poetry, and scholarship. Rather than a static display, this exhibition demonstrates how the Folger's holdings—from early printed editions to handwritten documents—actively shape the artistic and intellectual work happening in the theater downstairs and throughout Capitol Hill. It's a chance to see the connective tissue between a world-class research library and a producing theater, understanding how close encounters with Shakespeare folios or period manuscripts inform contemporary performance.

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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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