Thespian's Guild

The Guild of Thespians is a small, exotic, and somewhat eccentric guild that trains and takes in actors and other performing artists. While thespians are not members of the Harpers’ College, 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.
Although most companies are capable of staging elaborate and varied performances, many specialize in religious or educational material under the tacit sponsorship of some religious order. There are also some 27 basic dramatic themes that 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.

Type

Guild, Professional