Mental health concerns in musical theatre

Musical theatre communities across Canada are seeing growing conversations around mental health, as performers face increasing pressure from demanding rehearsal schedules, performance expectations, and industry competition. With long hours, emotional roles, and inconsistent job security, many actors say the mental strain can be just as intense as the physical demands.

A 2025 study found that performing and creative artists are at an increased risk of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and burnout, compared to the general population.

Gianna Macfarlane, an Edmonton theatre student says the culture is slowly shifting, with more openness and support systems being introduced.

“People see theatre as really expressive, but they don’t always see the pressure behind it. You’re always constantly expected to be ‘on,’ and that can take a toll mentally. I think it’s getting better, though. People are starting to talk more about mental health and actually check in on each other. At the end of the day, you can’t tell honest stories on stage if you’re not taking care of yourself off stage.”

As productions continue to push for higher performance standards, many performers are calling for lasting changes to better support mental well-being.

Photo Credit: Kyle Head Via Unsplash

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