Image: A different type of Art
In 2013, a nationwide study of actors’ wellbeing was conducted, surveying 782 of the 8000 actors working in Australia. The results of that study, which was responding to anecdotal reports of high suicide rates, poor mental health, and an over-reliance on alcohol in the theatre sector, were frightening.
Discussing the results of the Actors’ Wellbeing Study at the Australian Theatre Forum on Wednesday was Associate Professor Ian Maxwell of the University of Sydney’s Department of Performance Studies. He said that as well as surveying actors on their experiences of bullying and harassment in the workplace, and asking them about training and income, the study revealed dangerously high levels of alcohol abuse throughout the sector.
