1. The Lord Chamberlain's Men:
- Formed in 1594 under the patronage of Henry Carey, 1st Baron Hunsdon, Lord Chamberlain to Queen Elizabeth I.
- Shakespeare became a principal shareholder in the company around 1599.
- Renamed the King's Men after the ascension of King James I in 1603.
- Associated with the Globe Theatre and the Blackfriars Theatre.
2. The Admiral's Men:
- Established in 1594 under the patronage of Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Nottingham, Lord Admiral of England.
- Rivaled the Lord Chamberlain's Men as one of the leading theatrical companies in London.
- Associated with the Rose Theatre and the Fortune Theatre.
3. The Lord Strange's Men:
- Formed in 1593 under the patronage of Ferdinando Stanley, Lord Strange, later 5th Earl of Derby.
- Absorbed into the Lord Admiral's Men in 1594.
4. The Earl of Sussex's Men:
- Established in 1593 under the patronage of Thomas Radclyffe, 3rd Earl of Sussex.
- Primarily performed in the provinces and occasionally in London.
5. The Lord Pembroke's Men:
- Formed in 1597 under the patronage of Henry Herbert, 2nd Earl of Pembroke.
- Renamed the Earl of Montgomery's Men in 1605 and later known as the Queen's Men.
6. The Earl of Worcester's Men:
- Established in 1597 under the patronage of Edward Somerset, 4th Earl of Worcester.
- Performed primarily in the provinces.
7. The Children of the Chapel Royal:
- A troupe of boy actors associated with the Chapel Royal of St. James's Palace.
- Performed at court and private venues, including the Blackfriars Theatre.
8. The Children of Paul's:
- A troupe of boy actors associated with St. Paul's Cathedral.
- Competed with the Children of the Chapel Royal for patronage.
These acting companies toured extensively throughout England, performing in various venues, including court, noblemen's houses, guildhalls, and purpose-built theaters. They played a vital role in bringing Shakespeare's plays to audiences across the country, contributing to the widespread popularity and influence of his works.