Adjoa Andoh completes director's residency at Folger Shakespeare Library
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Apr 26
Adjoa Andoh completes director's residency at Folger Shakespeare Library
7 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Apr 26
Andoh, 63, led public programs, school visits, and a staged reading marking the 90th anniversary of the Federal Theatre Project’s Macbeth during her week-long residency in Washington.
Her residency included a lecture weaving together diverse themes, a screening of her Richard II production, and an interview reflecting on identity, inclusive casting, and the impact of current US political shifts on diversity initiatives.
Andoh, known for Bridgerton and her inclusive theatre work, discussed the challenges and importance of representation in the arts, drawing on her personal experiences and ongoing debates around casting, diversity, and historical narratives.
Can shows like *Bridgerton* truly change casting norms amid growing anti-DEI policies?
When does inclusive casting become a mandate that limits artistic freedom?
What does the fierce debate over casting Shakespeare reveal about our society?
As federal arts funding disappears, how can diverse storytelling survive?
With DEI programs now being restricted, is 'rebalancing' the stage an impossible goal?
How does preserving a damaged historical book change our understanding of the past?
Adjoa Andoh’s 2026 Folger Residency: Reclaiming Black Theater Legacy and Diversifying Shakespeare
Overview
Adjoa Andoh’s 2026 residency at the Folger Shakespeare Library celebrated and reclaimed the legacy of the 1936 Federal Theatre Project’s groundbreaking all-Black production of Macbeth, while addressing the historical suppression of Black artists. Her staged reading of Macbeth and the screening of her 2019 all-women-of-color Richard II production highlighted how diverse casting challenges traditional norms and connects Shakespeare’s themes to contemporary issues like identity and power. Through public dialogue and community engagement, Andoh used her psychotherapeutic insight to deepen the emotional truth of Shakespeare’s characters. This residency set a new standard for inclusivity in classical theater, aligning with global efforts to diversify and decolonize the canon.