Even in Shakespeare’s era, theaters literally shielded people from the state. Today’s theaters might talk sanctuary, but rarely practice it.

Benjamin Woodring
Benjamin Woodring is an attorney. He received his PhD in English from Harvard University and his JD from Yale Law School. His research focuses on renaissance law and literature, sanctuary and other jurisdictional anomalies, and theater and book history. He is currently working on a book, “Shakespeare’s Sanctuary Cities.”