Deadlines approach

Two deadlines are approaching and they're both stressing me out. Next week, I'll be auditioning for a show with local community theater. While I was in school, I didn't have time to do any theater as the rehearsal conflicted with my class schedule, but now that I've graduated, I have time again. But it's been about 2 yrs since I was in something. Auditions are stressful, and if I don't get in, I expect that I'll react badly.

The second is the post-mark deadline for the novel writing contest that I want to enter. The entry fee is $35 and the top prize is only $100. But they have a category for science fiction/fantasy/speculative and all entrants will apparently receive 2 judges critiques of their submissions. That's why I'm doing it. And since a book entered cannot be under contract to a publisher or an agent, it will help keep me from submitting to agents until I'm ready.

To enter, I need to get ready:
1. The first 25 pages of my novel (easy, that probably won't even include chapter 2)
2. A one-page DOUBLE SPACED synopsis (extremely difficult as my synopsis is 4 pages, double spaced, I'm afraid the story won't make much sense in a page.)
3. Novel summary in 40 words of less (I think of this more as a hook or pitch rather than summary--I have some ideas.)

If I happened to tie or advance to the final round to compete for the grand prize, they would read the last 25 pages of my manuscript. This is the part that worries me because even though my book is complete from beginning to end, it's not in final form and my # of pages will probably change. But they can't fault a writer for submitting her best work, right? And if inspiration strikes (which I'm sure it will me, since I'm actively trying to get it to do so) they can't blame her for changing the things that need changing?

Anyway, I doubt I have much of a chance to get that far. I really just want the critiques to help make my first pages and synopsis the best they can possibly be before I submit to agents.

I'll know probably by the end of next week if I'm in the show. It will be June before I know the results of the contest. I say to myself, "Break a leg!"