ThePhanastasio

This may not seem like a serious situation, but I'm still kind of flustered about the whole thing. I took a few months off of acting to focus on music and starting to perform - and to get some writing on - and now I have the following dilemma:

I have so much work to choose from, that I have no idea what to do.

Play One: I Never Saw Another Butterfly.
Pros: Very heavy subject matter to get lost in; wide range of characters; to be performed on the Paramount stage (1400+ seats); traveling to school shows; lots of performance; lots of press exposure; would be a nice addition to any resume.

Cons: It's about the Holocaust; It's got some writing that leans towards melodrama unintentionally; the audition for this is tomorrow, and it's the show that's making me need to choose so quickly.

Play Two: Chicago (Musical)
Pros: I would love to play Velma Kelly; It'd be nice to perform with this company again; It's already getting a lot of hype; I'll get to add another musical to my resume; large theatre; wonderful stage; lots of experience with technical work to be had (required work calls for costumes, props, scenery, etc.).

Cons: I sometimes panic at music auditions; I'm just an okay dancer - this could be an issue; I'll probably not get the part I want anyway; if I do this show, the director doesn't allow his actors to perform in other shows simultaneously.

Play Three: The Pillowman
Pros: I love working with this director; he spoke to me a few days ago specifically asking me to audition to play the same part I already played in the show a few years ago; it's funded through a huge Kentucky Arts project; proceeds for all of the plays this director directs go mainly to local charities; I love the show; very flexible audition times and the ability to do at least one other show.

Cons: The part isn't particularly large, although it is fun; It's the only female part in the show; I've already played this part; Audience turn-out is usually less than 50; I don't like putting the same role on my resume, because it makes me feel like a one-trick pony.

Play Four: Tales of Suspense
Pros: To be performed at the Paramount (1400 seat theatre); I could do The Pillowman AND I Never Saw Another Butterfly if I do this one; a lot of varied roles - each performer is to be multi-cast; two shows near Halloween; would be a lot of fun.

Cons: It's not really a nice, substantial play to sink my teeth into; I'm not that interested in the premise as a whole, but I know it would be fun; the cast list is to be posted on my birthday, and could make my entire day miserable if the outcome isn't favorable.

All right, that seems like a lot to choose between, yeah? Oh, it gets more difficult.

Opportunity 1: Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre
Pros: Dear sweet Jesus, I've always wanted to do one of these things; this company works across five states (KY, OH, WV, PA, and VA) and I do so love to travel; stipend; would be a blast; a style of theatre I've never had the opportunity to do; I was apparently recommended for this, and the director contacted me personally about the opportunity.

Cons: This would likely make it difficult to know if I was able to do other shows, or if I'd be traveling; it'd be fun, but I still want to be able to add in some nice tasty dramas to further hone my acting chops; I don't know a single person in the company, and run the risk of not assimilating well; I could be asked to learn several parts from up to a dozen different shows, which would make it even harder to do any other theatre.

Opportunity Two: New Works Series.
Pros: I get to direct, and cast my own plays - what's not awesome about that?!; I get a free space to do the shows, and the equipment (mics, lights, etc.) are all included; state-wide exposure = Actors Theatre of Louisville (hosts of the HUMANA FESTIVAL; google it); I have a lot of material that I want to have produced.

Cons: I'm so awful at advertising that I'd be hard-pressed to find new talent to fill the roles and would have to stick to the talent pool I already know; I'd still have to pay out of pocket to get my sets built and costumes - and I will have difficulties affording that if I do several plays in a calendar year.

So - basically I figure my options are these:

I could take both of the juicy offers and do either Plays One and Four, or Play Three at the same time. Both would be heavy workloads, but if I chose Play Three especially, it'd be manageable.

I could take ONE of the juicy offers and do Plays One, Three, and Four; if I chose the second offer, doing Play Two + that offer would be an option.

I could just do Play Two, and try to pray that Play Three would be allowable as it's flexible and doesn't directly interfere with rehearsal or performance schedules.

I could just do Plays One, Three, and Four.

I could just take ONE of the offers, and hope that works out.

I could take BOTH of the offers, and hope they both work out.

...any insight that I'm missing?

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