1. Chapters 7 & 8 You should talk about James. I for some reason can't Access the comments so I'll just delete this when we r done Lol

2. The World Before the Theater First Playhouse in England was created in 1576 and was called The “Theater” Drama Before the Theater: Medieval Period: Strictly Biblical Plays Drama was a part of everyday life: Performed at parties and festivals Actors: Traveling Actors/Minstrels Small group from 4-8 people that traveled the countryside Were servants of the noblemen Performances were held outside the city: In taverns In Bear-baiting Arenas

3. Who Was James Burbage? During the pre-1567 arrangements (when actors performed in bear-baiting arenas),city officials attempted to prohibit actors from performing Officials considered actors to be irresponsible vagrants instigators of unrest ○It became difficult to perform ●James Burbage - ○former carpenter who became full time actor ○signed a lease on a land outside of London ○Constructed the first building that would be used for performing plays ○Named it “The Theatre”

4. What is Theater? ●The “Theatre” ○It was simple and functional ○Designed to hold as many people as possible ■Balcony seating was available ○It was shaped like an amphitheatre ■Round (many sided) ■ Open-air theatre (unroofed) ■Wooden building ■Three stories high ■ Stood on a paved yard ○The stage was a permanent rectangular platform ○There was a dressing room ●Theatre encouraged a regular audience ○Led to more profits ■Allowed for a permanent cast and extras ●Resulted in the development and expansion of drama hout h

6. Acting Companies ●Acting companies evolved throughout the years. ●The Minstrel Bands of the Middle Ages, split into two groups: ○Musicians ○Professional dramatic players ●These players constantly wandered looking for business. ○They traveled in small groups, with a couple of small wagons and a horse. ●Players were required to get a license allowing them to perform anywhere near the town square. ●Eventually, town authorities considered these players annoyances. ○However, when the players sensed trouble they would quickly take refuge as servants of wealthy noblemen. ●Soon, the Act of 1572, made it difficult to be a player. ●Players that actually had aristocratic backing, used their royal support to continue playing, and paved the road for future acting companies.

7. ~ Rivalries, Important People and Companies ~ Acting Companies needed harmony within it to survive- however, relationships between companies were less peaceful and more difficult Out of small 160,00 people in the small city, the companies were fiercely competitive Most actors knew one another, so the fight to be the best was heightened due to the intimate situation Two to three different plays would be running in different places, urging the people to choose which play they’d rather see Over time, the best plays earned most spectators London, by early 1600’s, was dominated by two major companies: ‘Lord Admiral’s men’ (Hot-shot actor Edward Alleyn) and later on ‘Lord Chamberlain’s Men’(Stole spotlight of Admiral’s. After Queen Elizabeth died, King James favored them so much, their name was changed to the ‘King’s men’. They also performed a good amount Shakespeare) Burbage suddenly pulled the carpet from ‘The King’s men’s’ feet with an unreasonable desire to raise rent of the Theatre. If they didn’t meet the standards, he threatened to tear it down and ‘Build something better on his land” Then finally, to the rescue, The Globe Theatre was finally finished for Shakespeare and the companies

8. Official’s Reaction to Acting ● the government began to regulate public acting of the realm ○ Laws were eventually set in order to limit common players and minstrels ■ were required to belong to a baron or to any person of higher wealth/nobility ○ law breakers were severely punished and treated like beggars ■ penalties included:  whipping  burning with a hot iron ● Citywide proclamations announced the disapproval for playwriting profit Local officers punishing an individual who refused to abide by the law

9. Life in the Theater ●Theatres played about six plays a week for forty-nine weeks a year. ●More than half were brand new plays ●Actors did not know what play they would perform until the day of the performance came ● New plays came out about every two weeks ● Touring actors hated it because it was rough and very unpredictable ● Actors were welcomed everywhere