Theatres, Actors, and Acting in Shakespeare's time

The plays that were performed in the Elizabethan Era were very interactive between the audience and the actors. The audience would always be trying to get involved in what was going on on stage, they would express their opinions by throwing food if they were not enjoying the acting and would shout which was quite challenging for the actors.

The writers tended to write for certain actors they had in mind, this meant the actors and writers  had to have a close  relationship in order for the writers to be able to write a character they were certain one of the actors could play. Shakespeare in particular would do this and as the actor aged he would make sure he wrote in a character suitable for their age. rehearsals were set out quite differently from what actors in a company do today.
Once the play had been written they would get a sheet of parchment with just their own lines on and none of the rest of the play. The actors were expected to sort out between themselves what would happen in terms of exits, entrances and songs. The costumes they wore were often very elaborate, sometimes bought from Lords and Knights.