Actors inevitably play the roles in Shakespeare's plays, although some roles nowadays are played by actresses. Sometimes these are professional actors who earn their money this way, and sometimes they are amateurs who have a different day job. Either way, people who are not in interested in acting rarely play Shakespeare's roles (or indeed any roles).
I don't know what Elizabeth you are speaking of, but I presume it was because she was a female Shakespearean actress who was acting after the year 1660 sometime. Sometimes actresses play the male roles in Shakespeare as well.
Males
Shakespeares "Othello"
The audience
Ariel
I don't know what Elizabeth you are speaking of, but I presume it was because she was a female Shakespearean actress who was acting after the year 1660 sometime. Sometimes actresses play the male roles in Shakespeare as well.
Males
Young boys played the role of women.
Ophelia
Shakespeares "Othello"
hamlet
The audience
Julius Caesar
Miranda
Romeo & Juliet
All seasons.
Ariel