Number Nightmares, or, Budgets Aren't All They're Cracked Up To Be!

Spring Break really came at a great time, and I got a lot accomplished - most of my playwriting projects were done then, but it's taken me a while to get back into the swing of things. I spent every evening last week (with the exception of two) working as the House Supervisor for the one-acts, so spent more time on campus than I did at home. This has put me behind and I am now facing my biggest hurdle so far this semester. I know, you all thought it would have something to do with playwriting, but aha, it doesn't! The big bad budget project snuck up on me when I wasn't looking. :(

As part of Theatre Management class we have to plan and develop a fictional (for now) theatre company or performing arts center or whatever. Part of that process is budgeting. Well, I started out with some grandiose ideas, but have rudely returned to earth. I'm downsizing my theatre and concentrating on doing more with less, as all arts organizations are these days. But I have a confession to make, I am a math phobe. True, I have worked with budgets and know how to read a budget sheet, but I don't like it. I'd just as soon be in the middle of a bunch of rabid UNC fans wearing a Duke Blue Devils t-shirt. Okay, well maybe not that, but you get the idea. I have been gathering information and trying to figure out how much to downsize my original idea. Now it's crunch time - literally - time to crunch some numbers and get the budget down on paper. This project is due Thursday, so I don't have a lot of time, but I am very reluctant to begin. Anybody out there got any magic motivation pills? You know where to find me!