Folger Library Will Open Black Women and Shakespeare Exhibit
The free exhibition opens at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington on October 16.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in African-American
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The Folger Shakespeare Library will open To Hear Her Speak: Black Women and Shakespeare on October 16. This exhibition explores how Black women have engaged with the works of William Shakespeare throughout history.
Why it matters
The exhibit provides a scholarly examination of the historical and ongoing relationship between Black women and Shakespearean theater. It highlights the diverse ways these artists and intellectuals have interacted with the Bard's body of work.
The collection features nearly 100 objects, including playbills, photographs, diaries, a Jet magazine cover, and stage costumes. The exhibition is housed in the Stuart and Mimi Rose Rare Book and Manuscript Exhibition Hall.
The players
Folger Shakespeare Library
This Washington-based institution is a world-renowned center for research and collections focused on Shakespeare and the early modern period.
Patricia Akhimie
She is the curator who led the development of the exhibition exploring the historical roles of Black women in Shakespearean studies and performance.
The details
Curated by Patricia Akhimie, the exhibition is organized chronologically across four distinct sections. Visitors can further engage with the materials through interactive displays and a guided audio experience.
Timeline
The exhibition opens to the public on October 16.
The exhibit is scheduled to close on May 2.
Culture Shift
This exhibition marks a growing institutional effort to center marginalized voices within the canon of Western literature. It reflects a shift toward inclusive curation that examines how Black women have influenced and interacted with historical arts.
Residents and visitors in Washington can access this exhibition for free starting in mid-October. The inclusion of interactive displays and audio guides makes the material accessible for a wide range of audiences interested in literary history.
The takeaway
The exhibit invites attendees to reconsider the history of Shakespearean performance through the specific lens of Black women. Visitors can explore how these personal narratives have helped shape and challenge traditional theatrical interpretations.
Further reading
Discover more cultural insights in the African-American section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Washingtonian.
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