[Vid] Exclusive Tour Inside Folger’s ‘How to Be a Power Player: Tudor Edition’

How to Be a Power Player: Tudor Edition, opened at the Folger Shakespeare Library in late February, and K Street Magazine was among the first to take a tour of the exhibits, which details how social climbers and courtiers of the court of Queen Elizabeth I could better their own position through proximity to power.

Featuring more than 60 objects from the Folger collection, ‘How to Be a Power Player‘ illustrates not only the creative means used to curry favor with Tudor monarchs but also the parallels between the rules for success then… and now.

Folger Curator of Manuscripts Heather Wolfe — who shows highlights of the exhibits on the first tour of its opening — said “I hope visitors see the parallels between Tudor England and today. Cancel culture, brand management, nepotism, power dressing, and the idea of ‘fake it ’til you make it’ were all part of life for people seeking a position in the queen’s inner circle. When I was selecting items for the exhibition, I was continually struck by the similarities between self-help books for managers and leaders today and the how-to books for aspiring power players from the 16th century.”

Guests will want to pay close attention to many aspects of the exhibition on their visit — including a 1579 gift roll, signed by Queen Elizabeth I and displayed next to an actual gift item listed within it!

How to Be a Power Player: Tudor Edition will be open to the public until July 2025 during the Folger’s regular hours, Sundays: 11am-6pm, Tuesday and Wednesday: 11am – 6pm; Thursday, Friday, and Saturday: 11am – 9pm.