The long sleep of the COVID-19 pandemic was devastating to the acting world — but in a silver lining, it forced a creative reset at many of the world’s best drama programs. Colleges and conservatories have used the downtime to reconfigure, rebuild and rehire. Diversity, among both faculty and students, has transcended buzzword status to become an enthusiastically implemented goal. New theaters and facilities have been erected. And after a year or more of remote learning, the return to in-person study has resulted in a wave of unbridled creativity. Call it a spring awakening. With that in mind, The Hollywood Reporter has consulted with educators, alumni and industry execs for its annual ranking of the best schools for an acting degree.