Final answer:
Besides writing, William Shakespeare was an actor, producer, and part owner of the Globe Playhouse in London. He made substantial investments in real estate back in Stratford with his earnings from the theater. Shakespeare's broad involvement in the London theater scene contributed greatly to his financial success and fame.
Step-by-step explanation:
Besides writing plays, William Shakespeare was also known for several other roles while he worked in London. As a member of the Lord Chamberlain's Men, which was later known as the King's Men, he was not only a playwright but also an actor and a producer. Additionally, he could be considered a director of his time, as he played an active role in bringing his plays to life on the stage. Shakespeare's involvement in the theater also included financial aspects, and he made significant real-estate investments in Stratford with the wealth he acquired.
Shakespeare's theater, the Globe Playhouse, is a historical icon of Elizabethan theater, where he was not only an owner but actively participated in all aspects of theater production, which may have included set design and costume making. The theaters of the time were round in construction and featured a thrust stage, exemplifying the unique performance conditions of the era, such as frequent audience interaction and the male-only acting profession.
Throughout his career, Shakespeare remained tied to both Stratford and London. He was educated in Stratford's grammar school, where he likely received an early foundation in literary and theatrical arts, fostering his talents that would later flourish in London, the heart of English theater during the Elizabethan era. It is in London that Shakespeare established himself as a vital figure in the Golden Age of Theatre along with other notable playwrights of his time.