Advice on furthering my theatre education after high school?

Whatever you do, don't go into debt going to college because as an actor you will not be able to pay it off. Trust me on this. DO NOT take out student loans just to go to school in New York City that is a huge waste and will be a strain on you for years to come. Some Broadway performers have degrees in theater, many do not. Some have degrees in other fields (English, History, etc), some have degrees from conservatories for voice, etc. I know several Broadway performers who have no degree at all. They knew they were talented and did not want to do anything else and that a degree doesn't really matter at all to casting directors, so they didn't waste the money. They made those decisions after being able to compete and work regularly in their regional theaters.

A theater degree will teach you some skills, but unless you are enrolled at Julliard or something (implying inherent talent already) nobody is really going to care where you went to school or even if you went to school at all. Experience (REAL, not in high school or college productions), equity points (get enrolled in their candidate program at ONCE if you have a regional theater within driving distance you could potentially work at), and how well you audition will determine absolutely everything.

I am not advising that you should not go to college, you should if you want to, you won't be too old when you finish. But you WILL be too old if you have not used your college time to gain lots and lots of professional experience. Do summer stock. Take terrible outdoor theater jobs. The works.

The most important thing for you to do right now (and you can start right now) is start attempting to get professional theater experience. You need to start auditioning for regional theater productions, or if those opportunities are not right in your area, at least do community theater. Outside of school as much as possible.

If you're interested in musical theater, get yourself into a dance class at once, jazz if you're a beginner, and get a voice coach. If you're interested in straight plays, read as much of the cannon as possible - and see as much as you can even if it is not professional. You need to start learning what works and what doesn't.

Hi - your plan looks great, and you're doing everything right.

A degree is by far the best way to succeed, and if you can also add classes in singing and dancing, that's perfect.

While you're doing all that, do try to squeeze in some practical experience as well, though. There's no substitute for that, and if you could get involved in some plays and shows that will help loads.

Read plays and good books, and learn everything you can about everything - it's amazing how the weirdest things become really useful when you least expect it.

My daughter got an acting job because when she turned up at the audition she helped the stage manager assemble a unit of furniture using power tools when his assistant failed to turn up. They were so impressed at her attitude and practicality that she won the role (plus she's a really good actor, of course).

Good luck!

xx