I was a professional. I did not need to take classes.
Ah, to be young and naive and arrogant...
For one thing, EVERY production I've ever worked on has taught me something - either about myself, my craft, or the industry as a whole. Also, one of the things that drew me to Babes With Blades Theatre Company so many years ago was the promise of weekly 'work-outs' or Pointy Play Dates, where we would gather to work on choreography and stage combat skills. I loved the idea of learning more about what I loved doing. (Granted, these were informal and free, so it didn't feel like I had to "pay to play" to be involved.)
I still shied away from acting 'classes' in the city. Partially because I was actually working quite consistently (feeding that ol' arrogant ego!) and didn't feel I needed that type of setting. Also, because I didn't see my peers taking classes (that doesn't mean they didn't, but I wasn't privy to it), so why should I have to take another class to succeed?
I'm not sure what exactly changed, or when, but I've taken a variety of classes and workshops over the last decade and have absolutely loved every one! I also worked with a private vocal coach weekly for almost 4 years. From the one-on-one, to the improv intensive, to the audition workshops and fight classes, I've learned a lot (again, about myself, my craft, AND the industry as a whole).
I've recently been working through Bonnie Gillespie's Get In Gear For the Next Tier and one of the days' lessons put it like this: Think about the professional athlete who stops going to the public gym as often and instead works with a personal trainer. The workouts never stop, but they do evolve.
I can't say if anything has DIRECTLY led to my being cast in a project because of a class/workshop - but that's not how this business works. It's about planting lots (and LOTS) of seeds, living your life everyday, nurturing your career, and then allowing the plants to thrive.
Is taking classes just a version of "pay to play"? Maybe, but only if you choose to approach it that way.
I prefer to think of it as "value for value".
(And that's why I just signed up for the Director Sessions at Vagabond Studio! Who knows what I'll learn this time...)