Bostons Artsy Youth Struggle for a Future :: Journalism Essays

Bostons Artsy Youth Struggle for a FutureLiz Meyrovich, 19, moved 3,000 miles away from the Portland, Oregon home she grew up in to witness Emerson College, one of Bostons many prestigious performing arts schools. Un kindred many other aspiring actors and actresses who move to Los Angeles straight out of noble school and work in minimum wage service industry jobs while going on numerous auditions, Meyrovich decided that she would get a degree. She was a musical theatre major, hoping that a degree from Emerson would fuel her career as an actress. But one year and $32,000 later, she came to the realization that it wasnt going to happen.Id heard that, something like three percent, of Emerson graduates get a job as an actor, said Meyrovich. I didnt think it was worth it.Meyrovich, along with thousands of other raw aspiring actors and musicians, was drawn to Boston for one of its many performing arts schools, which includes Berklee College of Music, The Boston Conservatory, and The New England Conservatory. But she, like so many others, realized that it readiness not be the best way to pursue a career in the frolic industry.The increasing costs of tuition for these private schools combined with pugnacious industry standards and a fight economy have left many young adults in a lose-lose situation. Those who do graduate are left with thousands of dollars in debt and a degree that they cannot use to pursue other career options. As a result, Boston is left with a large Bohemian-like subculture of young artists, actors and musicians who are struggling to make a future for themselves.Everyone in Boston is in a band, Meyrovich joked. Everybody is a musician or an actor. Its kind of scary to see merely how many people there are around here who are like me who want the same thing that I want, because unfortunately, there isnt bounteous room for all of us. And it sucks because a lot of really talented people dont make it because of that.The big decision for many youn g adults like Meyrovich is whether or not to pursue a degree. The recent fame and success of Berklee dropouts John Mayer and Gavin DeGraw have many hopeful young performers questioning whether or not college is essential. Does the entertainment industry care more about credentials or talent?According to Janet Neely, a Career Services Associate at Emerson College, training is necessary to become a performer.