Expert: Christy Murphy - 6/26/2010

Question
Hello my name is Jermelia McKoy-Collins and I am a 18 year feamle just recently graduated from the Boston Arts Academy. My teachers always told me in my four years of attending my school that I have a nice and powerful voice when I'm on stage and I should use someday professionally use it, but you I don't know what I should do, I reeeeallly want to be a entertainer in the acting world or possibly even be a comedian, I love to make people laugh allot and I naturally good at it, and I have such a creative and colorful mind when I free write. I am supposed to attend Franklin Pierce University in the fall but just recently due to financial problems, I might have to attend a community college, should I take all these bad situations with college that keeps happening me as a sign to be an actress on stage or attend college and just forget about ever acting again? if so what should I do to start my life as a performer? Thank You!

Answer
Jermelia!

The great thing about community college is that it saves you a LOT of money AND won't need to take out student loans. Plus, it gives you time to experiment more. Your situation is not an either/or situation. If you're interested in stand-up comedy or the arts giving it a try now while you're still in school. I started stand-up while attending college. Simply go check out the open mics at your local comedy club and see what it's like. Then, sign up when you get the courage (don't wait too long. Just sign-up!). You can even start your own open mic. Then, after your two years, perhaps you can transfer to a school in New York or Los Angeles, and work on your comedy at night. Having never done stand-up yet, you're best not moving to Los Angeles or New York as a beginner. Two years will give you time to get good at it. PLUS, there is more paying work outside Los Angeles. I actually saved money from my gigs to buy my plane ticket to LA. So, it's nice to start some place else. I know a friend who got a job writing for Jimmy Kimmel Live after she graduated from Loyola Marymount University. She started doing open mics in her last few years of school and got known. If you find comedy is your passion, you can leave school after you're earning some money. It will feel less scary and be less of a shock to your parents. You can do BOTH--school and comedy! No problem. And if you're really thinking being a performer is your life's work, then be REALLY happy you're spending less money on your college education by going to community college. Those student loan payments are very tough to pay off on a performer's earnings--especially those first few years. Why not take it as your first big break in your career! Get out there and see a show, and get to work this week!