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The canopy above the stage that protected actors from the elements and was painted with stars and clouds to represent the sky.

Women were not allowed to act; male actors played female roles, a practice that influenced the writing and performance of plays.

Notable figures such as William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, and Ben Jonson were the backbone of the era, penning plays that are still performed today.

Part of the stage structure where actors dressed and prepared for their performances. It also served as a backdrop for the stage action.

Elizabethan plays often used innovative effects like trapdoors, flying machinery, and pyrotechnics to amaze audiences.

A leading company of actors for whom Shakespeare wrote for most of his career. It later became the King’s Men under James I and was a major force in the Elizabethan theatre.

The term used for the audience members who stood in the 'yard' of the Globe Theatre. They paid the least but made up a significant portion of the viewers.

Acting companies would perform a different play each day of the week, requiring actors to have a large repertoire of roles at their disposal.

Actors in Elizabethan times often had precarious lives, with little social standing. Acting was not seen as a reputable profession.

Monarchs such as Queen Elizabeth I and later King James I were patrons of the theatre, providing vital support and protection for the company and the art form.

A famous indoor theatre where Shakespeare’s company performed during the winter. It was known for its more exclusive and expensive audience.

Plays often contained references to current religious and political events, albeit disguised due to censorship and the need to appease authorities.

Before permanent playhouses, actors would perform in the courtyards of inns, surrounded by galleries of spectators.

Theatre troupes were sponsored by wealthy patrons who provided financial support in exchange for prestige and entertainment.