The impact of working in immersive theatre on actors’ health

Abstract

Background: Actors face significant occupational health challenges, including high rates of physical injury, mental health problems and voice disorders. Immersive theatre is a novel but growing performance genre in which actors must navigate a shared space with the audience. Currently, no research has investigated the effects this working environment has on the health and wellbeing of actors.

Aims: To explore how the unique nature of the immersive theatre working environment may impact the physical, vocal and mental health of actors.

Methods: Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with immersive theatre actors. Interviews were conducted online, recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: Analysis identified 12 sub-themes grouped into 4 themes: Vocal Health, Physical Health, Mental Health and Audience Management. Key concerns include vocal strain from a high vocal demand in difficult environmental conditions, cognitive overload from constant improvisation in highly stimulating settings, an elevated physical injury risk linked to a hazardous environment and lack of healthcare support, and personal safety concerns whilst working in the same space as an unpredictable audience.

Conclusions: Actors value the creative aspects of immersive theatre but face serious genre-specific occupational health risks. Targeted guidelines are needed for this expanding industry.

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BibTeX RIS

BibTeX

@article{rayner2026impact,
  title = {{The impact of working in immersive theatre on actors’ health}},
  author = {L Rayner and J Grieshofer},
  journal = {Occupational Medicine (Oxford, England)},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.1093/occmed/kqag086},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqag086},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}

RIS

TY  - JOUR
TI  - The impact of working in immersive theatre on actors’ health
AU  - L Rayner
AU  - J Grieshofer
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/04
JO  - Occupational Medicine (Oxford, England)
DO  - 10.1093/occmed/kqag086
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqag086
AB  - Background: Actors face significant occupational health challenges, including high rates of physical injury, mental health problems and voice disorders. Immersive theatre is a novel but growing performance genre in which actors must navigate a shared space with the audience. Currently, no research has investigated the effects this working environment has on the health and wellbeing of actors.  Aims: To explore how the unique nature of the immersive theatre working environment may impact the physical, vocal and mental health of actors.  Methods: Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with immersive theatre actors. Interviews were conducted online, recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis.  Results: Analysis identified 12 sub-themes grouped into 4 themes: Vocal Health, Physical Health, Mental Health and Audience Management. Key concerns include vocal strain from a high vocal demand in difficult environmental conditions, cognitive overload from constant improvisation in highly stimulating settings, an elevated physical injury risk linked to a hazardous environment and lack of healthcare support, and personal safety concerns whilst working in the same space as an unpredictable audience.  Conclusions: Actors value the creative aspects of immersive theatre but face serious genre-specific occupational health risks. Targeted guidelines are needed for this expanding industry.
SN  - 0962-7480
SN  - 1471-8405
ER  -

Abstract

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