<p>I'm currently 18, live in a suburb of Chicago, going to community college, and graduated high school last May. During senior year I realized I really didn't want to go to college, and I would rather follow my dream of acting and stand-up comedy. Hold on before you judge, in my defense I do have some professional film and stage credits on my resume and an agent. I'm also self releasing a comedy CD this spring as well as producing a show I wrote in NYC. I UNDERSTAND THIS ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH TO GET ME FAMOUS OR MAKE ME AN HONEST LIVING OR ANYTHING. Fame is not my goal. I just want to be able to do what I love for the rest of my life, if fame comes then it comes and I'll be happy about it, but I'll also be happy if I'm just working in little theaters around the country professionally as this is a very reasonable goal I'm already on the track to achieving. I know I'm young at 18, but I really feel college isn't necessary as I'm already learning what I need to know by just doing. I know a fellow actor currently getting a theater degree and he was bragging about a class he's taking called 'animal lab', where all he has to do is act like an animal for an hour and a half three times a week. To me, that just sounds like a waste of time and money when I could be out auditioning. I have another friend who recently got a theater degree and has told me I already know pretty much everything I'm going to learn at college when it comes to acting AS WELL AS THE BUSSINESS SIDE OF THEATER. I feel like I'm going to be a starving artist in NYC or LA anyway, mine as well get a head start on the competition without all the student debt. Don't get me wrong, I know college is important, but it just doesn't feel right for me. I hate community college, I feel dead when I'm in class, I have little friends as they all moved off at university and would love to take the move to NYC or LA to change that up and make new connections and friends as well as follow my dream. I can't see myself doing anything else, I had horrible grades in high school and am failing two classes at CC already. I may be wrong, I just think college isn't the right path for me. How can I break that to my parents? What do you think I should do?</p>
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<p>Aaron Paul (of Breaking Bad) just cut loose and moved to LA at 17.<br>
Honestly I wish I had the balls to do what you’re doing. If you’re sure, I say go for it.</p>
<p>Understand that to be successful in theater and acting, you’re going to need to READ a LOT. Plays, scripts, from all periods and styles from Tennessee Williams to Brecht to Moli</p>
<p>Thanks MYOS1634 I already got you covered on the reading part, I once got in trouble for reading Oscar Wilde under my desk in 7th grade! I love reading, when I’m not in a play I’m focusing on my stand-up and reading/studying as many plays I can. I have $45 bucks wrapped up in library fees. As for classes, I took an AP lit class as well as a film class in HS so I’m pretty keen on analyzing written works (not just plays) and screenplays. I’ve still got things to learn, but I’m on my way. As for my CC classes, I’m in an acting class but it’s so frustrating as there are so many people who just don’t care. I’ve also got 4 monologues memorized and ready to go depending on the audition, that’s basic theater that everyone should already know! 1 dramatic Shakespeare/classic, 1 comedic Shakespeare/classic, 1 dramatic contemporary, 1 dramatic contemporary, ect. I haven’t read drama high but I defiantly will now! Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>Spiderguy, that’s awesome. 
Because even if you don’t want a formal education, you do need some education - not all aspiring actors understand that.
Perhaps next semester, while you work to save money to go to LA or NY, find another community college where students might be more motivated? Or see if your local university (“East State U” or similar) allows people to take just one class in theater/acting and allow you to join the drama club, set up productions, etc.
Drama high is a nonfiction book and it’s really great.</p>