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Renowned Shakespeare scholar Dr. Farah Karim-Cooper brings global insight and thought-provoking dialogue to Mary Baldwin’s Signature Event series.

����ý continued its tradition of bringing world-class scholarship and performance to Staunton with a recent ����ý Signature Event featuring Dr. Farah Karim-Cooper — director at the Folger Shakespeare Institute and one of today’s leading voices in Shakespeare studies.

Hosted in partnership with the American Shakespeare Center (ASC), the evening drew students, faculty, alumni, and community members eager to engage with her talk, “What Are We Allowed to Say About Shakespeare?”

Karim-Cooper drew on years of experience at some of the most prestigious Shakespeare institutions in the world — including Shakespeare’s Globe in London and as President of the Shakespeare Association of America — to share lessons she has learned about developing classical theatre productions that challenge audiences’ expectations.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to share my experiences and ideas with a room full of such bright minds,” the presenter assured the audience. “I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I know that by thinking and working together, we can come closer to finding them.”

The program highlighted ����ý’s longstanding ties to the performing arts — and its national reputation through the Shakespeare and Performance graduate program, which has prepared generations of scholar-practitioners now shaping theaters, classrooms, and cultural institutions across the globe.

A Celebration of Culture, Connection, and Community

“Events like these underscore ����ý’s role as a cultural cornerstone for the region — a place where academic inquiry and creative expression intersect,” said Provost Paul Menzer, who previously served as director of the Shakespeare and Performance program.

Ahead of the lecture, students and community members gathered informally with Co-Director of Shakespeare and Performance Dr. Pete Kirwan, who reflected on the university’s flourishing relationships:

“You may have noticed the striking sculpture in the front garden of Rose Terrace, a gift from the Folger earlier this year. Our two institutions have maintained an excellent relationship for many years, and it’s exciting to see the fruit that it continues to bear. Our students — and our community — are better for it.”

The Blackfriars Playhouse, home to the university’s close partner, the ASC, served as the host venue. The ASC has long supported Shakespeare and Performance at ����ý, offering performance opportunities, training, workshops, and key collaborations like this visit from  Karim-Cooper.

Through its Signature Events series, Mary Baldwin continues to open doors between campus and community, making Staunton itself a living classroom for art, thought, and dialogue.

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