re: How much does practice really help?
Practice means everything!!! When I was young I didn't have a strong voice or acting ability at all, and I didn't get cast in shows. I'm 17 now, have been cast in four succesive leads and went to Interlochen summer camp for theatre- all thanks to simply tons of practice. I know someone who made it to NYC succesfully without a single voice lesson, and yes I am wildly jealous of her: but that can't be everyone.