Employment Rules in German Theatres: An Application and Evaluation of the Theory of Employment Systems

This paper applies David Marsden's Theory of Employment Systems to employment relations in German non‐profit repertory theatres. Constraints in applying Marsden's framework to theatres are taken as a starting point for a reconsideration of its underpinning assumptions. I show that this approach (i) helps us to understand the institutional embeddedness of theatrical employment and (ii) enables a closer look at the strengths and weaknesses of Marsden's theory. Since Marsden supports the idea that the open‐ended employment relationship will persist and will remain prevalent, challenging his theory can contribute to our understanding of ‘new’ forms of employment.