Guild of Thespians
A small, exotic, and somewhat eccentric guild
which trains, and takes in actors and other
performing artists who are not members of the
Harpers College, although a harper or two often
travel with a troupe of thespians. A master
thespian usually operates his own touring company,
and will be a competent playwright, actor, juggler,
and acrobat, although he may specialize in one such
activity. Most thespians are apprentices and
journeymen who will never head their own troupes.
Most companies are capable of staging elaborate and varied performances, but many
specialize – some in religious or educational material under the tacit sponsorship of
some religious order. There are also some twenty seven basic dramatic themes which
are constantly being reworked by practitioners of the “classical” school. Traditional
forms tend to be stylized; puppetry and mime are common. Even new plays tend to
be conservative, and hardly ever political, since many performances are monitored by
secular and ecclesiastical observers. Most troupes play to noble households for
negotiated fees, or in the street for thrown offerings, hopefully coins.