The 2026 Anthony Hecht Poetry Prize Reading

Imagining Shakespeare: Mythmaking and Storytelling in the Regency Era

Oct 4 – Aug 2

If you're interested in literary history, Romantic-era aesthetics, or how canonical works get reinterpreted by different generations, this is essential. It's less essential for those seeking straightforward character studies or plot illustrations, but valuable for anyone curious about the visual culture surrounding Shakespeare and the politics of artistic adaptation.

On View: Mandy Cano Villalobos

Feb 20 – Apr 5

This is essential for viewers who appreciate conceptual rigor and aren't looking for decorative art. If you're interested in how contemporary artists engage with colonialism, environmental justice, or the politics of domestic space, this will reward close looking. Skip it if you prefer work that declares its meaning upfront.

Community Workshop: Seven Ages of Music

This works beautifully for families with musically curious kids, but don't discount it if you're an adult who's curious about the intersection of language and music. Skip it if you prefer finished performances to process-based experiences; this is about discovery, not polish.

Community Workshop: Seven Ages of Music

Folger Theatre ·

This works beautifully for families with musically curious kids, but don't discount it if you're an adult who's curious about the intersection of language and music. Skip it if you prefer finished performances to process-based experiences; this is about discovery, not polish.

Director’s Talk: As You Like It with Dr. Farah Karim-Cooper

Folger Theatre ·

Ideal for Shakespeare readers and the production's audiences who want context beyond the text itself, or for anyone curious how institutional scholars think about relevance and interpretation. Skip this if you prefer experiencing theater without analytical framework—it's designed for the intellectually curious, not the casually curious.

The 2026 O.B. Hardison Poetry Series Finale Reading

Folger Theatre ·

This works best for readers already engaged with contemporary poetry who want to understand a living poet's intellectual genealogy—not an entry point for newcomers to the form. If you've ever wondered what poets read to become poets, or you're curious about the specific artists who influenced someone whose work you admire, this intimate gathering offers genuine insight.