Final answer:
The Globe Theatre was Shakespeare's theatrical venue, notable for its round ground plan and open courtyard for audience members. Men played all roles, including those of women. Modern reproductions exist but include contemporary conveniences like electric lighting and air conditioning.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Globe Theatre was central to Shakespeare's dramatic career and is renowned for its unique architectural design and theatrical history. It had a distinctive round ground plan with a thrust stage that projected into the audience, creating an intimate actor-audience interaction. While the stage was covered, the 'courtyard' where the standing audience, known as 'groundlings', gathered was exposed to the open air. The seating in covered balconies was reserved for paying patrons seeking a more comfortable viewing experience.
Shakespeare was not only a playwright but also an actor and a co-owner of the Globe. Women were not permitted to perform during this time, so men played all roles, including female characters. These actors began training at a young age to adapt to these diverse roles. The Globe Theatre's traditional characteristics are still celebrated today with modern reproductions of the theatre found in London and Staunton, VA, USA, though they include modern conveniences like lights and air conditioning.
Outside of Shakespeare, the Elizabethan era witnessed other notable playwrights, such as Christopher Marlowe and the University Wits, who greatly influenced the Golden Age of Theatre. Current performances at these replicas of the Globe focus on a blend of historical accuracy and modern amenities to recreate the essence of Elizabethan theatre.