That famous Shakespearean line could apply to Kenwrick Mayo, but in his case it is whether or not to be an actor, an engineer, or a pilot.

The Grade 12 Mayfield drama major is a few months away from graduating, but he still hasn't decided on a career path.

It's not that he isn't good at anything in particular. The actual problem is that he is good at too many things.

Mayo has applied to several different programs at universities across Ontario and Quebec, such as acting at the National Theatre School in Montreal, and the pure math, science and aviation, and engineering programs at Waterloo. He has several offers already, with scholarships on the table, but he is just starting his round of theatre auditions.

It is both overwhelming and exciting for the 17-year-old.

"I don't have one dream," he said. "I'll probably change my mind somewhere along the line. I'm going to pick one and try it out and if I don't like it, I'll do something else."

Mayo was bitten by the drama bug when his parents enrolled him in singing lessons several years ago. One of his first big decisions was whether or not to pursue it in high school, with acceptance letters from both the drama program at Mayfield Secondary School and the international baccalaureate program at Turner Fenton Secondary School.

"It (Mayfield drama) is a good program and it has changed me a lot," he said when asked to reflect on his decision. "There's a sense of belonging in this program and to this school. It turned out well."

Student an actor, writer and director

Mayo has appeared in many school shows over the years, but he cites his biggest accomplishment as serving as writer and director with classmate Ellen Kraszewski of a show called Enough Is Enough for the Sears Festival held at Mayfield in February.

"Writing it and directing it meant we had complete creative control the whole time," he said. "It was nice having creative control and when we had new ideas, we could put them in."

While's he's come full circle now as an actor, director and playwright, Mayo said it is impossible to pick his favourite mode of expression.

"I like to create, so I like the whole process," he said. "If I create something, I want to act in it. If I'm participating in something, I want to be able to add input for directing."

While drama teachers Ken Stern and Joanne Bethune say they support any career Mayo chooses to pursue, they emphasize his enormous talent for the stage.

"Writing is a strength, and performance wise he has a strong grasp of the roles and he understands the relationship of the characters in the play," Bethune said. "He has so many talents, but I think he could combine math and science with the arts. I see him as an artistic director or having his own company."

Stern, who is head of the drama department at Mayfield Secondary School, said he was impressed with Mayo's playwriting abilities for Enough is Enough.

"My suspicion is if he stayed at it, he'd write for the stage and in a few years we would be going downtown to see a play that he wrote," said Stern. "But I think whatever he applies himself to, he'll do well."

This article is part of The Brampton Guardian's Class Acts series.