Dramaturge [alternate start]
You prefer assisting others in their performance, rather than performing yourself. You use Artistry instead of Perform for you chosen package’s associated skill, depending on the package—Acting: Artistry (choreography, literature, philosophy, playwriting), Dance: Artistry (choreography), Instrumental: Artistry (musical composition), Lyric: Artistry (criticism, literature, musical composition, philosophy).
You gain the Orchestrator talent from this alternate start, and you can only use your own Performance sphere abilities when you use Orchestrator to teach yourself a talent (which you can do as part of teaching other creatures, despite normally being unable to teach yourself). When using the Orchestrator talent, you can also grant non-utility Performance sphere talents.
Emotional Performance
Your performances require intense emotional displays to feel genuine to yourself and your audience. When subject to a non-harmless effect that evokes an emotion (such as fear effects, demoralization, or spells with the emotion descriptor), you are unable to use your Performance sphere abilities. You gain a free talent from a package from this drawback.
Instrumental Acoustics (requires (act), (dance), or (lyric) package)
Without your own melodies as a base, you find it difficult to sing with proper tempo and rhythm. In order to begin or maintain an act, dance, or lyric, you must play an instrument with at least 1 hand (or at least enough hands to play the instrument). You gain an (act), (dance), or (lyric) talent.
One-Person Show (requires (act) or (dance) package)
Whether it is not wanting to rely on the ineptitude of others, or being averse to having such a physical exchange with another person, you cannot stand to act or dance with other creatures. You cannot form a dance with another creature, instead granting the benefits of the dance to only yourself. Other creatures cannot contribute to your act’s scenes by spending actions. You gain the Flowing Theatrics talent from this alternate start.