First, breathe. Second, breathe again. Your post in the College Demographics
Wiki states that you are Class of '13. Great! You have two years. I am fortunate that I went to school in Philadelphia, PA, which is a pretty good theater town. However, I'm also very glad that I decided to do an apprenticeship at a summer
stock. I learned A LOT and I obtained perspective I didn't previously have.
Due to my first summer
stock experience, and my experience thus far this summer ME'ing at a summer
stock, I am a major proponent of partaking in at least one or two. You will learn things you will never have learned, and will meet people you will never have met. One of my acting interns ended up being Spot 2 on our first show, beyond hanging, circuiting and focusing lights. He had never so much as touched a
LEKO or
PAR before. The staff, interns and apprentices at the
stock I'm working at are assembled from around the North and South East. From Florida to Maine. This opens up many opportunities to hear about and learn about job openings you may qualify for.
Also important to know, they hire primarily out of SETC, despite be in the North East. Going to a theater conference is a great way to get yourself out to many people, and possibly find something you wouldn't have otherwise found. It is all about putting yourself out there.
As to upping and leaving where you are now, can be hit or miss. Though, starting with your
foot in the door because you know someone or someone who knows someone.
Finally, breathe again. The ability to stay calm is a valuable asset in this business. After three 18 hour days in a row, you are more useful to your employer than someone who knows more but has fallen to pieces. Learning this now will save you a lot of head and heart ache later.