ABSTRACT
A career in the creative industries is a desired goal for many: an opportunity to express oneself in creative activities, to work flexibly, with interesting people and on exciting projects. Around the world, talent shows such as The X Factor and Pop Idol both document and perpetuate the appeal of working in a job as glamorous and intrinsically fulfilling as that described by Matthias, an ensemble actor at one of Germany’s most prestigious theatres: “Being on stage every night, doing what you are best at and being rewarded with applause and, even, money—that’s just the best thing ever.” In his opinion, this “best thing ever” makes up for those difficulties and disadvantages of a career in the creative industries that are less in the spotlight of public attention and culminate in a constant pressure to perform: “ You are not only exposed to external judgement all the time, you also constantly monitor your own work [ … ] There is a low barrier to panic and you are always afraid that you will be cast for too few or too small roles—you are always afraid that theatre management and audience will not love you enough.”
