Folger Shakespeare Library

The Folger Shakespeare Library houses the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare materials, including over 80 First Folios—about a third of all surviving copies. The Shakespeare Exhibition Hall, designed in partnership with Studio Joseph, features multiple interactive installations that help 21st-century audiences connect with Shakespeare’s work.

Shake up Your Shakespeare

This immersive theatrical installation transforms visitors into performers. Players act out Shakespearean lines guided by color-coded text, with custom hardware, projection mapping, and dynamic lighting creating a multi-dimensional performance space. The experience supports both solo and two-player modes, making Shakespeare’s language accessible and engaging through active participation.

Development Challenges

Projection Mapping and Lighting Integration

Coordinating projection mapping with dynamic lighting required precise calibration to create smooth transitions between players in two-player mode. The shifting lights spotlight the active player while the projection system responds to their performance in real-time.

Performance Tracking and Feedback

Building responsive systems that tracked player movements and delivery while providing immediate visual feedback demanded careful optimization. The installation needed to feel theatrical and magical while maintaining consistent performance across extended daily operation.

Custom Hardware Integration

Working with custom hardware controllers for the theatrical experience required close collaboration between software, fabrication, and installation teams to ensure reliable operation in a high-traffic museum environment.

Impact

Shake up Your Shakespeare creates a “no-intimidation zone” where visitors of all backgrounds can engage directly with Shakespeare’s language. The installation transforms the library visit from passive observation into active performance, making centuries-old text feel immediate and accessible.

Content and media courtesy of Bluecadet.