Each year, up to ten talented students are trained to become musical performers at Joop van den Ende Akademie in Hamburg. The few apprenticeships are in great demand: around 400 interested people apply each year for vacancies. Once the first hurdle of the entrance examination has been taken, the up-and-coming talents learn the craft they need for an international stage career in three years. Everyday life is hard: dancing, singing and acting is done 40 hours a week. SPIEGEL-TV-WISSEN-author Anja Gerloff accompanies students in various stages of their education and shows in visits to successful theaters, what the professional life of a musical actor looks like. Everyday life at the Musical Academy: the fifth semester rehearses - every step must be right at the audition in front of a professional jury. For the first time, a sports story will be brought to the stage: Rocky - the musical celebrates its world premiere in Hamburg in the presence of co-producer Sylvester Stallone. And: for the freshmen at Joop van den Ende Akademie, a new future begins.