Physical and Mental Health of Actors in the Czech Republic

Jana Návratová

This research report provides an overview of the health issues affecting actors in the Czech Republic. The aim of the study was to examine whether the acting profession influences the physical and mental well-being of artists, the nature of these impacts, and how they are perceived and evaluated by the actors themselves. The research reveals differing perceptions of the effects of acting on physical and mental health. Physically, acting is generally not viewed negatively; in fact, some respondents reported that it motivates them to maintain physical fitness. Mentally, however, the situation is considerably more complex. Maintaining psychological well-being in this profession is challenging, primarily due to job and income insecurity, the unpredictability and irregularity of work opportunities, disrupted daily rhythms, and misalignment with circadian cycles. The practices of the acting profession are historically entrenched and globally standardized (e.g., evening theatre performances, film shoots lasting more than 12 hours per day), making change difficult. Nevertheless, improvements in professional conditions—such as fair compensation, balanced contracts, ethical relationships within creative teams, awareness of labor law issues, and the support or development of agency representation—can mitigate social impacts and reduce stress caused by economic insecurity.

Another significant aspect is the very nature of acting, which involves psycho-physical artistic transformation and role embodiment. The demands of this long-term and often repeated process include work with emotions, inner energy, imagination, and concentration. This “identity migration” can negatively affect self-perception, behavior, and professional, personal, and family relationships. One conclusion of the study is the need to integrate actor mental health and psychohygiene into education from the early stages of training. Additionally, access to specialized therapeutic or psychological support during the creative process is recommended.

A further concern is the protection of personal boundaries, privacy, dignity, and integrity of artists. This includes the topic of intimacy coordination, which is gradually being developed and standardized within the Czech performing arts sector. Safe boundaries must be established during the creative process to prevent harm or trauma. There are numerous cases where the behavior of superiors (directors or ensemble leaders) crossed professional and ethical boundaries, resulting in bullying, harassment, or psychological abuse. Less visible but equally problematic issues include the assumption that artists are always available during casting or project planning, treating their time and capacities as if they had no value. These “soft injuries” significantly impact artists’ self-perception, as the lack of validation and respect remains a recurring issue, previously documented by IDU research on artistic careers across the arts (Návratová et al., 2024).

From the perspective of organizations, creative teams, and productions, questions arise regarding the capacity to care for the health and overall well-being of artistic teams, including leadership. Raising awareness about respecting personal boundaries, open communication, ethical professional relationships, and fair compensation is crucial. Increased attention to these issues can strengthen the stability of institutions and individuals, and consequently the entire cultural sector. State- and municipality-funded theatres should negotiate financial and structural support for well-being, such as appointing an ombudsperson, or providing psychological or mediation support. More broadly, the performing arts sector should systematically map these issues and respond to the findings of this study. Finally, the report highlights the development of specialized medical disciplines abroad focused on performing arts, addressing the specific health needs of professionals in theatre, performance, and audiovisual arts.

This report is an output of the project Comprehensive Research and Support for the Development of Cultural and Creative Industries in the Olomouc Agglomeration.

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