Yes, you definitely want to get over the theater group. My kid is not doing this, he is probably going a music/academic route though he is interested in being involved in theater in college. He has been doing youth through professional theater for a while. Yes, you want a drama coach to help prep, though I would talk to your vocal coach/voice teacher first depending on their background. If the vocal coach is well qualified and experienced she can probably help you with auditions too at least on the singing end.
The auditioned BFA programs are SO competitive and like someone said above it depends on your “type” too. No school is going to cast all their females as blonde, leading lady types. Auditioning for those programs is almost like applying to a lottery school. So know and love your back up plan - is that a gap year, a BA/non-audition program, etc