1. Formal Instruction:
- Master-Apprentice System: Actors often began their training as apprentices to established actors or theatre companies. The master actor or company would provide structured instruction in various aspects of acting, such as vocal projection, stage movement, and character interpretation.
- Acting Schools: Some actors attended specialized acting schools where they received formal training in dramatic arts. These schools taught subjects such as rhetoric, elocution, and stagecraft.
2. Practical Experience:
- On-the-Job Training: One of the most important aspects of actor training was on-the-job experience. Actors gained practical skills by participating in rehearsals and performances. They learned from their more experienced colleagues and gradually took on larger roles.
- Repertory Companies: Many Elizabethan theatre companies operated as repertory companies, which meant they produced multiple plays in rotation. This allowed actors to perform in a variety of roles and develop a wide range of acting skills.
- Touring: Actors often travelled with theatre companies on tours throughout England, performing in different towns and cities. This gave them the opportunity to gain exposure to different audiences and perform in a variety of venues.
3. Collaboration and Peer Learning:
- Actors' Fraternities: Actors formed close-knit communities and organized fraternities to support and encourage each other. These fraternities provided opportunities for actors to share knowledge, techniques, and experiences.
- Observing and Imitating: Actors learned from each other by observing the performances of their peers. They studied the techniques and styles of successful actors and incorporated these elements into their own performances.
In summary, Elizabethan actors received training through a combination of formal instruction, practical experience, and collaboration within the theatrical community. This system contributed to the development of highly skilled performers who played a crucial role in the flourishing of Elizabethan theatre.