I would add that the college years are not too early to get started. My VP daughter has worked several paying jobs while studying. She apprenticed (non-paying) then taught (paying) at a well-known theatre. She has run summer camps for kids, directing shows (earned enough to pay herself, her assistants, and her musicians). She has done her first professional recording (paid for rehearsals and recording sessions). She has sung in churches (paid). She has also been cast in a few shows, some paying a stipend, some unpaid but making good contacts. And she has coached kids in piano and voice (though not consistently, as she has many schedule conflicts). She has also worked as assistant director/stage manager at her school (paid with generous scholarship). In all of these jobs, she is making contacts that she may be able to use once she graduates. On top of this, she keeps on top of all audition notices and usually has an audition or a callback about once a week. She has so much audition experience that she has nerves of steel and no fear of rejection. While we pay her tuition, rent, and utilities, she earns enough that she never asks us for extra funds, though we occasionally contribute cost of MT voice lessons, a series of dance classes, or an acting class–all of which she puts together herself outside her VP major. Each summer she has either worked in theatre-related jobs or has performed summer stock, which she will do again this coming summer. She is very hardworking, very busy, but feels she is making progress toward her goals while still in college. I couldn’t be more proud of all she has achieved and, while the cost of her college is a stretch for us, we feel it is money well spent and much appreciated.