Alright y’all. So I work 25hrs/week at a well known non-profit organization (think YMCA, Boys Girls Club). I’m 24 and a year and a half out of undergrad and am two classes and a thesis away from my Masters. I can only work 25 hours because school is a 20hr/week commitment. I’m also the lead in a musical right now (Carrie in Carrie the musical)
After this show I’m done with theater for a while so I can focus on school and work but this is a show that means a lot to me. I played Sue in college before COVID ruined it and my director of the show had a stroke in front of me, so it’s a show that carrie’s a lot of trauma for me and it’s been so helpful in my healing process to be in it now.
I requested the Thursday of tech week and Friday (opening night) off from work because the show is vocally and physically demanding and I’m a teacher. For context, I worked 40hrs/week this past summer here, and unlike other employees, I didn’t take a single field trip and was on site ALL summer while other employees got vacations and field trips with the kids. During the school year I also have classes on Wednesdays so I typically work M T Th F 2-8pm.
Because some other employees like to fuck around, (like one girl not coming in to take care of her friends sick cat for two days and go on vacation) work questions when people ask for time off. But I’m always here and I was here all summer and I plan on using my sick hours for Carrie. But I can’t help but feel guilty.
Is this wrong? I never take time off, but this show and this role mean everything to me and it’s only for two days and I even said I would work that Wednesday if they needed me… It’s so excruciatingly difficult to find a work life balance, and I’m angry that they are cracking down on someone like me who is always at work and on time and a generally good employee because someone else screws up.