How Shakespeare Saved My Life is an autobiographical-inspired theatrical work by playwright and Broadway performer Jacob Ming-Trent (Folger Theatre’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream) and directed by Tony Taccone (The Harder They Come). In this tour-de-force performance, Ming-Trent dares to rescue himself from the “slings and arrows” of his past. Born with a gift for poetry but rejected as unfit to play the part of the poet, Ming-Trent’s search for home is relentless, and the results are by turns hilarious and tragic. Invoking a host of artistic geniuses such as Biggie, Tupac, Shakespeare, and Basquiat, Ming-Trent takes us on a propulsive ride that reaffirms the power of language and music. It all adds up to how one man’s attempt to reclaim his life may connect to the deeper parts of ourselves and to each other. How Shakespeare Saved My Life is an epiphany that begins with Shakespeare but becomes a ritual of salvation and forgiveness that invites the audience to save themselves and each other.
Ages: Children under the age of 4 are not permitted
The Reading Room Festival (1/22/26-1/25/26)
As You Like It (3/10/26-4/12/26)
Folger Shakespeare Library is at 201 East Capitol St SE, Washington, DC, DC.
Julius X: A Re-envisioning of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare (9/23/25-10/26/25)
Julius X (9/23/25-10/26/25)
The Love Birds: Chaucer’s A Parlement of Foules (2/14/25-2/16/25)
Tale of Two Cities: Music of Florence and Venice (9/13/24-9/15/24)
Videos
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Guys and Dolls
Shakespeare Theatre Company (12/2 - 1/4) | |
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The Snowman and The Snowdog
Imagination Stage (11/22 - 1/4)
VIDEOS
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Fremont Ave.
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater (10/8 - 12/7) | |
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ho ho ho ha ha ha ha
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company (11/13 - 12/21) | |
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Chanukah in the Dark
Theater J (12/6 - 12/21) | |
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Step Afrika!'s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater (12/5 - 12/23) | |
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Catch Me If You Can
Shenandoah Conservatory (2/26 - 3/1) | |
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Balloonacy
Imagination Stage (1/10 - 2/15) | |
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Rockville Little Theatre presents Close Ties
F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre (1/30 - 2/8) | |
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Firecracker Festival of New Work
Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center (11/14 - 12/6) | |
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Hyprov: Improv Under Hypnosis with Colin Mochrie & Asad Mecci – Washington, DC
Lincoln Theatre (12/18 - 12/18) | |
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Our Lady of 121st Street
Shenandoah Conservatory (4/23 - 4/26) | |
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