Any work in Perth?

All people are different, you should do what feels right for you at the time. If you want to get a degree in something else while doing drama/theatre outside of university - well why the hell not? No-one can say what is best for you, what is right or wrong.
Acting courses, I believe, give students a wonderful network and
support system. It inspires them and allows them to concentrate and immerse themselves in the craft, learning various styles and theories while creating a style of their own. For me - studying theatre resurrected my drive and determination. It's a relentless ongoing experience with the same team. So you are growing and learning together, continually doing one show after the other, hands on in all areas, helping each other out - gaining and building practical experience with an experienced practitioner to guide you. However, university studies are not the only way to increase your skills and graduating should never mean the end of learning. I am sure most people have heard the story, but I will repeat it for those
who havenÂ’t, of Geoffrey Rush returning to Sydney after winning an Academy Award to attend a class (as a student) at the Actors Centre in Sydney. May we all learn from him. Anyway I diverse.
"how would you have the first clue what someone on Lithium, or post electric shock treatment would be like? I know exactly - thanks to my fall back."
I think you have had a wonderful opportunity to have been able to observe certain things that other people have not. While you have observed the external I also know that you would put work into building the internal workings of your character and that can only come from you the actor. All of us have observed, experienced and interpreted things that others may not have. If an actor is given a role that they can not relate to immediately the they will create opportunities to research and observe. For example, if you were
playing a character who had a disease that had never touched your life, you would probably ring the appropriate foundation who would be helpful in finding sufferers whom you could talk to.
"how would you have any idea what that kind of poverty and abuse is like, hanging around with your upper-middle class acting buddies at uni?"
Again it's all about observation and life experience. What you haven't seen or experienced you ensure that you go out and try to - as you said - observe people and learn motivations of people completely different from yourself. The actors in the play “Caution”, that was on at the Blue Room, did exactly that - observing people and talking to ex-addicts at a clinic to be able to portray the reality of these peoples lives. And the - mostly ‘drama graduated uni students’ - did it very successfully.
I agree with you that having another interest is a great way to observe and diversify your life. Sometimes having another profession can inhibit your acting career. I think you are extremely lucky to have found a
part-time job that pays you sufficient money to get by and allows you time to persue acting. I know many people who have chosen to get professional degreeÂ’s and are unable to take time off work to do a season, just like there are many people with art/theatre degrees who canÂ’t take time off work to audition. Unfortunately I think this one of the most difficult hurdle in an actors life - you certainly need an
understanding boss...
“without another three years of self-inflicted poverty with people half my age.”
I really enjoyed my three years of self inflicted poverty with people two thirds my age and I wasnÂ’t suffering bitterness and rejection I just wanted to experience something in life I hadnÂ’t experienced and it
improved my life ten-fold. Truthfully it really doesnÂ’t matter in what order you do things in life - as long as you do what you want to do when you want to do it. If itÂ’s something you really want to do then youÂ’ll put up with the stuff like the lack of money.
“studying acting at uni, while fascinating and fun, can in fact undermine your potential and your career opportunities by the sheer poverty which it inflicts on you upon graduation.”
Studying acting at uni increases confidence, focus and skill. Being part of a class stimulates your imagination, helps to overcome your fears, helps you work with many different people and allows you to receive constructive criticism which helps you to improve. There are several graduates who are doing very well who have graduated from Curtin and Murdoch theatre courses and are now working professionally and able to earn a decent living. There are also several graduates who have banded together to create their own work thus actually creating career opportunities. Lack of money is an issue - but most “waiters/salespeople come actors” I know are able to get off work or swap shifts for an audition.
And wouldnÂ’t the sheer poverty inflicted on a student after graduation be a learning experience for their poverty stricken character roles? ; ) LetÂ’s not even get started on the classical singing v. musical theatre debate or IÂ’ll be forced to write an even longer missive!