- All-male casts: Women were not allowed to perform on stage in Elizabethan England, so all female roles were played by men. This led to the development of a specialized acting technique known as "boy actors," who were trained from a young age to play female characters.
- Elaborate costumes: Elizabethan theatre was known for its lavish costumes, which often reflected the social status and wealth of the characters. Costumes were often made of expensive fabrics and decorated with intricate embroidery, jewels, and other embellishments.
- Minimal sets: Elizabethan stages were typically bare, with little or no scenery. This was due in part to the fact that theatres were often temporary structures, and it was impractical to build elaborate sets. However, the use of minimal sets allowed for greater flexibility in staging and encouraged the audience to use their imaginations to create the setting.
- Audience participation: Elizabethan audiences were often very vocal and interactive. They would cheer, boo, and heckle the actors, and they would even sometimes throw things at the stage. This level of audience participation helped to create a sense of community and excitement in the theatre.
- Improvisation: Elizabethan actors were expected to be able to improvise and respond to the reactions of the audience. This led to a great deal of spontaneity and creativity in performances.
- Morality lessons: Many Elizabethan plays were written to teach moral lessons. These plays often explored themes such as love, honor, betrayal, and revenge. The lessons that these plays taught were relevant to the lives of the audience, and they helped to shape the moral values of Elizabethan society.