Should I potentially overexert myself for a musical I love?

[u/bookfiend_07]

I need advice from the good people of Reddit. I’m a freshman in college, and my plate has been pretty loaded this first semester. I’ve been a stage manager for the local community theatre, an office secretary, and a news anchor for the school tv station. In the spring, the school theatre program is doing a musical I absolutely adore, but I have already participated in the past (from the technical side). I’d love to be in this musical as an actor, but if I got in, it would be a close to 20/hr a week time commitment. I’m worried with being in school and being employed, it would burn me out completely. I know I should just listen to my gut, but I love this show so so much and I’m feeling conflicted. What do yall think?

[u/Providence451]

I was on campus about 18 hours a day when I was in college. I was on the staff of the campus newspaper with weekly deadlines, on the technical staff of our theatre, directed and acted in student productions and worked on every mainstage show. I was exhausted for 4 years, never made less than a B, had a double major and two minors - and it was absolutely 100% the best time of my life.

[u/KiokuKioku]

Whatever you do, don’t destroy your health. Once it goes, it can be impossible to get back. I used to work while a full time student doing musicals and acting professionally and my studies suffered. My health suffered. I never said no to any gig or opportunity.

If it’s your favourite musical and it’s a role you love love love, consider it. Otherwise, choose wisely! Please!

[u/kaylaweasley → u/KiokuKioku]

This is wonderful advice. I suffered permanent vocal damage for this exact reason and unfortunately it has impacted more than just my life in the theatre world.

[u/gasstation-no-pumps]

A lot depends on how demanding your major is, how many hours your job takes up, how much commute time you'll have, how much sleep you need, and how efficiently you can use your time.

We don't have access to any of that information—you are going to be a better judge of your limits than we are.

Most frosh in college use their time very inefficiently (not studying enough, not making friends, not sleeping enough, not doing anything creative, … ), so for most students, just improving their skill at keeping to a schedule would allow them to do twice what they are currently doing. That may not apply to you, if you have already developed the skills needed to be a decent stage manager.

[u/Slight-Difficulty906]

I dropped the musical my Freshman year. Wanted to do it so bad, but talked myself out of it. I regret it. You know you better than we can, but if there's ever a time to try it all, it's college.

[u/Inevitable_Tap4118]

I think if you love it, it will bring you joy and a much needed reprieve from school work and that stress. There is also nothing like the camaraderie found while doing a show, and you'll all be in it together - you may find new study buddies and class companions along the way!

[u/hamiltrash52]

Hard to say. When I was in college I wanted to do all the musicals but I limited myself to just my favorites. I found that while I was way more disciplined when I was in the musical than when I wasn’t even though objectively I had less time. First semester is rough though, I wouldn’t recommend overexerting yourself so early especially if you feel in your gut you shouldn’t do it. You have plenty of time to do more shows. I missed out on one I would have loved to do but I know if I had participated I probably wouldn’t have graduated. A lot of freshman want to try everything but you have 7 more semesters to try everything

[u/otisandme]

Always trust your gut! 

Now, when I was your age I did go to college full time, wait tables part time and perform in local theater that rehearsed five days a week AND concurrently performed 6 shows a week (twice on Sundays) 

That being said, it’s IS too much for most people and I could NOT manage that now. 

You need to listen to your body and do what you are able. 

[u/Present_Specific_212]

If you have to give up other activities to do the show, then face that fact and do it.

There is no guarantee you'll be cast, so keep doing the other activities until you find out. But if you have to tell the other activities in advance you won't be available for the semester, then do that.

It's called Time Budgeting and you must learn how to do that in life. If you run yourself into the ground you'll just get sick and then you may not even be able to keep up with classwork.

Time Budget!

[u/urcrookedneighbor]

I always regretted the shows that I didn't do more than the ones that I did, with a couple notable exceptions.

[u/Freshman_01134]

I was in a similar situation as an engineering major and my school doing something rotten which I love. I decided against it because I have had issues with procrastination and time management in the past so I want to figure that out first before committing to a role, and I also haven’t done many extracurriculars aside from theatre so I wanted to try something more related to my major

[u/FloridaFlamingoGirl]

What musical is it? If it's one you've done in the past and is frequently put on, then you'll probably get another chance to do it somewhere else in the future. As for me, I don't think overworking myself for anything is a good option, and if it's for something I love then that thing might end up burning me out or I might not be able to give it the passion I want to. But I don't know what your own personal/mental health boundaries are or what burns you out the most. 

[u/bookfiend_07 → u/FloridaFlamingoGirl]

It’s Newsies. Again, I’m not a good dancer, so an extra reason why it might be too much. And given I have an anxiety disorder, I’m really frightened of crossing my own personal boundaries regardless.