Lloyd Boatang

I've spent the last 8 weeks, more or less, in rehearsals for a play, "One Man, Two Guvners" at Oystermill Playhouse. And for some unknown reason, I've become obsessed with a value analysis, trying to come to come to some conclusion as to whether it was "worth it".

First, the hours involved. The calendar tells me that including the final dress rehearsal with a test audience, there were a total of 28 rehearsals. While the last week they have run longer, it would be safe to estimate that they averaged about 2 hours in length of a total of 56 hours. While my part wasn't terribly long, I did have to learn a Jamaican accent as well as the dialog. I really have no idea of the actual time, let's say 10 hours. Then there is travel time. Twenty eight rehearsals equals 28 trips, roughy 1 hour each way for a total of 56 hours. I have become quite familiar with Interstate 83 from Camp Hill to Brogue and there is nothing like personal introspection and the occasional outburst at the errant drivers who seem to have no clue on the proper use of the passing lane. The total time involved comes out to 122 hours.

Then there is the actual mileage. The Maps app tells me it is 46 miles to Oystermill, and that seems about right, making a 92 mile round trip. So 28 trips at 92 miles each equals 2,576 miles. The federal mileage reimbursement rate is $.54 for business and $.14 for charity. If I was in business, I could use $1391.04. But it is charity I suppose and that comes up to $360.04. The former seems excessive, but the latter might be pretty close to actual gas cost,  so there it is.

The total comes to 122 hours and $360.04.

So the question. Is it worth 122 hours and $360.04 to be in a show? That brings us to the audience. We are on stage, we run the lines. There comes a moment of truth, when the answer will be determined. Your first funny line.

The audience laughs.

Yep.