<Li> Meisner technique requires the actor to focus totally on the other actor as though he or she is real and they only exist in that moment . This is a method that makes the actors in the scene seem more authentic to the audience . It is based on the principle that acting finds its expression in people's response to other people and circumstances . Is it based on Stanislavski's system . </Li> <P> Formerly, in some societies, only men could become actors . In ancient Greece and ancient Rome and the medieval world, it was considered disgraceful for a woman to go on stage; this belief persisted until the 17th century in Venice . In the time of William Shakespeare, women's roles were generally played by men or boys . </P> <P> When an eighteen - year Puritan prohibition of drama was lifted after the English Restoration of 1660, women began to appear on stage in England . Margaret Hughes is oft credited as the first professional actress on the English stage . This prohibition ended during the reign of Charles II in part because he enjoyed watching actresses on stage . The first occurrence of the term actress was in 1608 according to the OED and is ascribed to Middleton . In the 19th century many viewed women in acting negatively, as actresses were often courtesans and associated with promiscuity . Despite these prejudices, the 19th century also saw the first female acting "stars", most notably Sarah Bernhardt . </P> <P> In Japan, onnagata, men taking on female roles, were used in kabuki theatre when women were banned from performing on stage during the Edo period . This convention continues . By contrast, some forms of Chinese drama involve women playing all roles . </P>

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