In Polish nuns' monasteries of the 17th-19th centuries, theater played an important role, although it was its own theater, organized in the cloister, with the entertainment and education of the nuns in mind. The nuns lived in two worlds: the biblical and everyday world, which influenced their perception of theater as a cultural form. Even though monastic rules were usually strict, nuns sometimes organized performances, and in some orders theater was tolerated or even encouraged. French nuns, especially the Visitation Sisters, introduced theater to Poland, and convent schools were places where young nuns could participate in performances. However, women's theater in Poland had its limitations - for example, there were no female roles, which meant that the actresses were only nuns who dressed up as men. Theater in Polish monasteries developed under the influence of contacts with Jesuits and Catholic schools. Despite some controversies and restrictions, theater remained an important part of cultural life in nunneries.