<p>It would help to know more about what your particular student is looking for. BA? BFA? Acting or other areas of theatre? What kind of size, location, campus life, etc. does s/he prefer? </p>
<p>Without those specifics, I would boil down questions to the following areas:</p>
<p>1) What kind of curriculum does this department provide? Are there training classes, such as Voice, Speech and Movement? Are there classes in Scene Study, Directing (if desired), and hands-on Tech (if desired)? What Acting techniques do they stress? Do they specify, or is it a “toolbox” approach? What are the non-experiential classes like? How many classes in Theatre History, Literature, etc.? Are there related classes like voice lessons, dance, playwriting, etc.?</p>
<p>2) What are the opportunities to perform? How is casting decided? Are there faculty- or professionally-directed productions? Are there student-directed productions? Can students be cast in class projects, senior projects, student films, etc.? Can students seek outside performing opportunities?</p>
<p>3) What will the 4 years there be like? Are the theatre students and faculty a cohesive group, supportive and cooperative, or do people pretty much work on their own (hard to get a straight answer on this - best to ask the students themselves)? Is there study abroad? How much time do people spend doing theatre (per week, per semester)? How many backstage assignments can be expected per semester? </p>
<p>4) What are the academics like? Are there many or few gen eds? Do they take APs or other placement tests? Can you double major or minor in another subject? Are there Honors classes (if desired)?</p>
<p>5) What kind of support is there for summer theatre work, internships, jobs? What kind of post-grad employment do grads typically get? What does the school or the department do to help them in this process?</p>
<p>If the school has auditions, ask questions about their requirements for that and how your student can best prepare for them.</p>
<p>I’m sure others will chime in with more ideas. Good luck!!</p>