The life of an Actor
Elizabethan England
Who became an actor?
In Shakespeare's time acting was a profession only open to boys and men. Women were acting elsewhere in Europe but they were not allowed to perform in public in England until 1660 .
What was an actor's training?
They could join a company as an apprentice and be taught by one of the more senior actors within the company. Actors were expected to be able to sword fight, sing , and dance , as well as having good memory for learning lines.
What did an actor earn?
Many theatre companies operated a shareholder system. Sharers in a company earned more than the hired men.
Actors' earnings also depended on where the company was playing. The company made more money in London than in the country , so could pay actors higher wages.
What was an average day like?
Actors normally performed in the afternoon because they relied only on natural light to be seen. Plays were performed in repertory , so the same play was never performed in two days in a row. Actors might spend the morning rehearsing and then perform in the afternoon, but they did not have much time for rehearsals . Often they were juggling several plays and several parts at one time.