[aporter2012]

I found myself in your position, in high school. I knew that theatre was something that I really enjoyed but I also liked the whole restaurant idea. I sat around and kinda waited for the decision to be made for me... which never happened. I finally sat down and thought things out. I tried to picture my life without theatre. Theatre was something that helped shape who I was, and gave me an escape during both middle school and high school. Obviously theatre became something I enjoyed and had become good at. However, I was afraid that if I pursued theatre in college and as a profession, it would lose its enjoyment. This was a big fear for me. I started looking at schools and saw that some school's theatre program was very serious and others didn't. I wanted to be in a school that had a strong theatre program filled with people who took theatre as seriously as I did. People said I should choose to be a chef because there is more job security and such. Plus, they said, I would always have community theatre. I finally made my choice to go into theatre. I always keep the idea of being a chef in the back of my head. As I look at it now, I saw that I would always be able to cook and entertain my friends on a personal level. Though I am a strong believer in community theatre, I didn't want to be trapped in community theatre because of lack of schooling. As for job security, if you are good, you will never worry about being employed.
In the end, it is your choice. I was lucky to find a theatre program that fit me perfectly. I also found friends that also enjoy cooking and, yes you guessed, we cook about once a month.
You are at an exciting time. You get to choose what you want to do. Take it as a time to reach down and learn about yourself. You will make a decision, and go with it. In the end, if you change your mind, it's America...you can do that!!!
Good luck!!!!