The Playhouse at The National Building Museum

The National Building Museum and the Folger Shakespeare Library, in association with the University of South Carolina, are partnering this summer to present The Playhouse. Starting on Friday, July 1–and running through August 28, 2022–visitors can step back in time with the Bard for the latest iteration of the Museum’s Summer Block Party. Tony Cisek, production designer of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed the creation of an exciting Festival Stage, inside the Musuem’s Great Hall. Developed by Jim Hunter, Department Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of South Carolina, the stage will welcome visitors as they arrive to the Museum. The Playhouse provides a venue for unique experiences related to theater—from behind-the-scenes tours to sword-fighting demonstrations and other hands-on activities. At night The Playhouse transforms into a stage for Shakespeare’s most famous, fairy-filled comedy for Folger Theatre’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Featured Playhouse Events:

• Folger’s presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream performances through Aug 28
• Free Music on the West Lawn concerts featuring food trucks on Thursdays at 6:30 pm
• Mixology for the Lovelorn, then and now, event with Derek Brown and Bridget Albert on Aug 19 at 6:00 pm