Performing gender is to gender roles as performing a play is to what?

Performing gender means acting in ways that fit the expectations of being male or female in society, just like actors perform in a play by taking on specific roles. In this comparison, performing a play is to the audience, as the actors show their characters' emotions and actions for people to see. Just as actors follow a script and portray their roles convincingly, people often follow social norms and behaviors that match their gender roles. For example, a boy might play football and be tough to fit the idea of being masculine, similar to how an actor might dress and act a certain way to bring a character to life. Both performances are influenced by what society expects and values.