Join us for an evening of cocktails and conversation with Folger Fellows Emily Lyon and Anne-Claire Michoux! Be sure to arrive early for cocktail and food purchases at Quill & Crumb.
Women dominated the theatrical scene in the 18th century. So why don’t we know more about them today? Emily Lyon and Anne-Claire Michoux share more about the women who ruled the stage in the long 18th century and how we can celebrate them and their work today.
From the moment professional actresses first set foot on the English stage in 1660, women shaped theatrical culture. They’re on the stage, they’re patrons, they write hit plays, they champion Shakespeare, and they manage theatres. Women also become celebrities in their own right: their images are everywhere and, like superstars today, they negotiate their reception.
While gossip sheets circulate rumors of rivalries between actresses as well as between female playwrights (and of illicit affairs, sometimes with royalty), these professional women respond to their critics through portraiture, the roles they choose to play, direct addresses to the audience, and through their own writing.
After the talk, join us at the Folger Shop for a book signing of Expand the Canon: 110 Standout Classic Monologues for Any Actor, edited by Emily Lyon.