If you believe that you possess the necessary skills, training, and experience, you may decide to just go on out there and see if you can get work. If, on the other hand, you feel you're not quite ready for prime time, you may opt to further hone your skills in graduate school. Or, you may decide to forgo graduate school altogether in favor of an apprenticeship with a theater, artist, or dance company. Before making your decision, it's always advisable to speak with people working in the field. You can find alums willing to help you with your decision through the Professional Connections database in the OCS Reading Room.
Internships are vital.
They enable you to obtain experience, to try out the field, to learn the lingo of a particular field or industry, and to make contacts. However, their importance does not override the need to earn money over the summer. One is to find an internship with hours flexible enough to enable you to pick up a second, paying summer job. Depending on the restaurant or bar, these positions can actually be quite lucrative. Another option is to look for funding.