The first research study to examine the impact of immersive theatre on actor health and wellbeing finds that while actors value the creative aspects of working in immersive theatre, they face serious genre-specific occupational health risks.
The research, by performance physiotherapist and BAPAM clinician, Lucie Rayner, and Dr Julia Grieshofer, has been published in the international peer-reviewed journal, Occupational Medicine.
A high proportion of all actors are affected by physical injury, mental health issues and vocal problems. Against this background, immersive theatre creates additional distinct environmental and occupational demands unlike those in traditional theatre.
The study found that:
- The unique nature of immersive theatre has the potential to create a higher risk to the health of actors.
- There are genre-specific risks across four domains: vocal health, mental health, physical health and audience management.
- The actor must also manage challenges and personal safety issues not normally encountered in traditional theatre settings.
Recommendations for practice or policy include:
- Healthcare professionals working with immersive theatre actors should be aware of the specific and cumulative risks in this setting.
- Producers and managers need to ensure that thorough risk assessments are completed and create workplace cultures in which actors can raise health concerns without fear of professional consequences.
- Clear policies on audience management, harassment prevention and incident reporting, consistent with current UK legislation, are required.
The study is free to access in full here: Impact of working in immersive theatre on actors’ health | Occupational Medicine | Oxford Academic