everyone else stood in the yard?

[keannu]

How can they stand in the yard in the theater? As I know, yard is something outside of your house, but in this case, does it mean something else?
And for bonus answer, what kind of trainees does it mean by "young trainees"? Apprentice for acting in the theater or just any kind of trainees in any occupation?

ex)In the 17th century, Londoners of every sort enjoyed the theater, except some strict people who thought it wasted time that should have been spent working. The audience-noblemen, merchants, craftsmen and idlers-all went through the same doors together. The richer ones sat in the galleries, and everyone else stood in the yard: shopkeepers with their families, young trainees, soldiers, seamen, apple sellers and laboreres of all kinds......

 

[susiedqq]

These were outdoor theaters. A stage was set up and the audience stood around the stage. Only the wealthy sat in chairs or benches close to the stage.

 

[JMurray]

keannu.
The structure of 17th century theatres was based to a large extent on the enclosed area of a tavern or inn yard where it was common for travelling theatre troupes to set up a temporary stage and perform. The customers watched the performance from the covered balconies surrounding the yard or by standing in the open yard itself. The terminology carried over to purpose-built playhouses.
I would expect that "young trainees" includes trainees and apprentices of all types.

not a teacher

 

[5jj]

It looked like this: Výsledky obrázk