Aspen is a place for leaders to lift their sights above the possessions which possess them. To confront their own nature as human beings, to regain control over their own humanity by becoming more self-aware, more self-correcting, and hence more self-fulfilling.

Walter P. Paepcke, Aspen Institute Co-Founder
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  • In Person

Sharing Shakespeare: King Lear, Overview and Act I

Note: This is a past event, additional resources may be available below.

Mon Oct 20, 2025
Aspen, CO

Date

Mon Oct 20, 2025
6:00pm – 8:00pm MDT

Location

Aspen Meadows
1000 N. Third St.

Contact

    acp@aspeninstitute.org
    970.544.7992

Hosts

  1. Aspen Community Programs

Back by popular demand, the Aspen Institute presents Sharing Shakespeare, a moderated, roundtable discussion series that takes place one night a month for 6 months.  Beginning in October, the 2025-26 session will explore one of Shakespeare’s most significant works, King Lear.  We will focus the entire six-month series on one play, and by doing so, participants will read one act per month and share their insights and questions to reach a deeper understanding of one of Shakespeare’s most beloved and performed plays. Volunteer moderators will lead participants through lively discussions dissecting the intriguing scenes and characters in King Lear while uncovering themes that still resonate today.  

Dates and Times:  Monday nights from 6:00–8:00 pm MT October 20, November 17, December 15, January 12, February 9, March 9.

Location: Aspen Institute, Aspen Meadows Campus

Registration is now closed as the 2025-26 series has begun. Please email acp@aspeninstitute.org for more information.

King Lear, Overview and Act I
Why It’s Clear Rupert Murdoch Never Read King Lear: A Shakespearean Case Study in Succession Gone Wrong

In this season’s discussion of Shakespeare, the group will be discussing one of the Bard’s most powerful tragedies, King Lear.  Our discussion for Act I, will center on:

  • Family dynamics: Who counts as family, who shouldn’t, and the complicated role of in-laws.
  • Bad faith actors: What it means to manipulate, deceive, and betray.
  • The peril of transparency: Why openness can be risky—and why schemers often come out ahead.
  • Leadership and legacy: Can a king ever truly retire?
  • Family relationships, including the people who should be family but aren’t; the people who are family but shouldn’t be; and in-laws.

Moderated by Ted Frisbie and Sandi Kister.

Module 1
October 20
King Lear, Overview and Act I moderated by Ted Frisbie and Sandi Kister

November 17
King Lear, Act II moderated by Peter Waanders and Morgan Walsh

December 15
King Lear, Act III moderated by Dipika Rai and Michael Onufrak