Theater Guilds

medieval semiamateur theater organizations; the first forms of theatrical troupes. Theater guilds were most widely found in France, England, Holland, and Germany. Depending on their repertoire, they were divided into religious groups, which were associated with their sources in church organizations, and comedy groups, which were created as a result of the union of theatrical players. The most famous group in France was the Guild of the Lord’s Passion (late 14th century to the latter 17th century). Their activity was linked to the transition from amateur to professional theater art, and they had monopoly rights to theater productions in Paris. The society of German Meistersingers (15th-16th centuries) and the rhetoricians’ chambers in Holland (15th century) were unique types of theater guilds.