UNH Today

First Folio: The Book that Gave Us Shakespeare is one of the remaining copies of the book that documented, and immortalized, William Shakespeare’s greatest plays. Coinciding with the 400^th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, the First Folio exhibition will be on display at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, N.H., from April 9 – May 1, 2016. UNH Manchester is joining in the celebration by sponsoring a series of Shakespeare-inspired events throughout April.

It was a city-wide effort to get the traveling exhibit to the Currier, which is the exclusive venue for the New Hampshire and Boston metropolitan area. The Currier, UNH Manchester, UNH Durham, St. Anselm College and University of Massachusetts Lowell partnered to apply to host the First Folio, and several community partners aided in the efforts by providing letters of support.

“The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce has a long standing tradition of supporting the art and culture community in Manchester,” said Michael J. Skelton, president & CEO of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. “This exhibit will have a positive impact on the City of Manchester.”

With the historic publication stirring excitement in the region, local organizations are planning lectures, workshops and events to coincide with the exhibition.

“We believe that this is an exciting opportunity for Manchester and presents many opportunities for the city’s museums and education institutions to partner with the Currier to promote the exhibit and provide additional programs,” said Jeffrey R. Barraclough, director of operations at the Manchester Historic Association.

Below are the First Folio festivities that UNH Manchester are sponsoring throughout April.  

STEM Scholars First Folio Workshop

Tuesday, April 5 | 3:30 – 5 p.m.
In the STEM Scholars First Folio Workshop, Manchester middle school students in UNH Manchester’s STEM Discovery Lab will learn about the technology of printing by making their very own Shakespeare-style folio.

ARTalk: First Folio

Sunday, April 10 | 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Hosted at the Currier Museum of Art, ARTalk: First Folio features a discussion of Shakespeare’s place within American popular culture. UNH Professor of English Susanne Paterson will present on Shakespeare and Comic Books, and UMass Lowell Lecturer of English Kevin Petersen will discuss Shakespeare and Film.

A Celebration of Shakespeare’s Birthday

Monday, April 18 – Friday, April 22
UNH Manchester Library and Learning Commons are hosting a weeklong celebration of Shakespeare’s birthday. Activities include puzzles, movie trivia, a Shakespearean scavenger hunt and a 400^th birthday party for the bard on Thursday, April 21 at 3 p.m.

Book Group: The Millionaire and the Bard

Thursday, April 21 | 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Join the UNH Manchester Books in the Mill group in UNH Manchester’s Learning Commons for a book reading and discussion about The Millionaire and the Bard: Henry Folger’s Obsessive Hunt for Shakespeare’s First Folio by Andrea Mays.

Free First Folio Educator Conference

Saturday, April 23 | 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Deepen your understanding of Shakespeare and earn CEUs at UNH Manchester’s free First Folio Educator Conference. Designed for middle and high school teachers, these lively and interactive workshops will empower teachers with the knowledge and activities that will help their students learn about Shakespeare.

Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night

Friday, April 29 | 7 – 9:30 p.m.
UNH Manchester’s Sign Language Interpretation program presents a screening of William Shakespeare’sTwelfth Night in screening room 456. This fully captioned DVD enables viewers to experience Twelfth Night in an utterly unique way. Educators and students of American Sign Language and Shakespeare both will benefit from viewing, analyzing and discussing this remarkable rendition of one of Shakespeare's most beloved plays.