When did women first appear on stage?

Women first appeared on stage in the 17th century. In 1660, the English actress Mary Betterton became the first woman to play the role of Desdemona in Shakespeare's Othello. Prior to this, women's roles were typically played by young boys. Betterton's success paved the way for other women to take on leading roles in theater productions, and by the end of the 17th century, women were regularly appearing on stage in both England and France.