Final answer:
The people with the cheapest theater tickets were known as groundlings, particularly in relation to the audience of the Globe Theatre during the time of Shakespeare.
Step-by-step explanation:
The people who had the cheapest tickets in the theater were known as groundlings. These were members of the audience who stood in the pit or yard of the theater, as seating was often unaffordable or unavailable to them. Groundlings would stand throughout the performance and were known for their lively interactions with the performers. This term is often associated with the audience of the Globe Theatre during Shakespeare's time. The other options listed, namely patrons, thespians, and playwrights, refer respectively to financial supporters of the arts, actors, and writers of plays.