<p>ParachuteBoy, learn all you can at your high school, but go outside it whenever there is an opportunity. You want to be exposed to as many directors and styles and types of equipment as possible. If there are any very small professional theaters in your area, you could learn a lot there. </p>
<p>Being easy to work with is part of the key to getting jobs. My son got a tech job one summer with a small professional group where he had previously been an actor. They already knew he was a pleasant person to have around, not a diva, and willing to put his hand to anything. He learned a lot.</p>