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What is unique about the actors during renaissance period in England?

1. All-male casts: During the Renaissance period in England, all actors were male. Female roles were played by young boys or men who specialized in playing female parts. This practice continued until the Restoration period in the late 17th century when women were finally allowed to perform on stage.

2. Social status: Actors were not highly regarded in Elizabethan society. They were often seen as vagabonds or rogues, and their profession was considered disreputable. However, some actors managed to achieve fame and respect, particularly those who performed for the royal court.

3. Touring companies: Most actors during the Renaissance period were members of touring companies. These companies would travel from town to town, performing in innyards, town halls, and other public spaces. They would often perform multiple plays in a single day, and the actors would have to be versatile enough to play a variety of roles.

4. Improvisation: Actors during the Renaissance period were expected to be skilled improvisers. They would often have to create dialogue on the spot, and they would sometimes even be required to sing, dance, or perform acrobatics.

5. Theatrical conventions: The Elizabethan stage was a very different place from the modern theater. There was no curtain, and the actors would perform on a raised platform that was surrounded by the audience. The sets were minimal, and the actors would have to use their imaginations to create the illusion of different locations.

Despite the challenges, acting during the Renaissance period was a vibrant and exciting profession. It was a time of great innovation and experimentation, and the actors who worked during this period helped to create some of the world's most enduring works of theater.

Theater Costumes

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