Best Acting Schools in the World

“I look at the school, and anyone who tells you they don’t is lying to you.” – Todd Black, Producer

And now to skip the fluff and get into the list of best acting schools in the world that is composed in absolutely no particular order…

Best Acting Schools in the World

TISCH SCHOOL OF THE ARTS | NEW YORK CITY

The New York University includes the Tisch School of the Arts, or TSOA. It was established in 1965 and is currently one of the top universities in the country for studying performing arts. Tisch is regarded as the top “provider” of musical performers in the nation, if not the globe, having trained many of the most well-known Broadway stars in addition to well-known cinema actors. With approximately 3,000 undergraduate and over 1,000 graduate students, it is a sizable institution. The school’s various artistic divisions help to explain the overwhelming number of pupils. Consider yourself an alumnus of one of  the best acting schools in the world, which produced many of today’s top performers, if you can earn a degree from TSOA. It is one of the best drama schools in the world.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DRAMATIC ART | KENSINGTON

Finally, there is a school from Australia on our list of best acting schools in the world. NIDA was founded in 1958 with just 23 pupils and two lecturers in a suburb of Sydney. It eventually became Australia’s largest drama school and unquestionably one of the top acting schools in the world, sending a sizable number of talented actors to the United States and the United Kingdom. As it is stated, just 4% of applicants succeed in their NIDA auditions; similarly to every other prestigious theatre school, admission and retention are both challenging. Having NIDA on your resume will undoubtedly help you land a job if you can get the chance, as Mel Gibson once said. It is one of the best drama schools in the world.

OXFORD SCHOOL OF DRAMA | WOODSTOCK

One of the newest acting schools in the UK is the drama school in Oxford. Despite being only around for around 26 years, it has already given birth to a considerable number of skilled and well-known performers. Since there are only 18 students enrolled in each session, the institution is relatively small, making admissions rivalry among eminent would-be actors intense. To be admitted into this theater school, which is completely autonomous and unaffiliated with any UK universities, you must complete acting classes at one of the best acting schools in the world.

YALE SCHOOL OF DRAMA | NEW HAVEN

Without a doubt, Yale, which first opened its doors in 1900, is one of the best acting schools in the world for teaching performers. It’s one of the most prestigious drama schools, and getting accepted there is a privilege, but it’s also challenging to stay and train there. You won’t have the time or the stamina to audition for four years if you select it and are accepted. The acting school is also well known for turning away brilliant performers who they felt had sufficient talent; some actors have since gone on to have successful careers. So, do have it in mind. It is one of the best drama schools in the world.

AMERICAN CONSERVATORY THEATER | SAN FRANCISCO

ACT, as it is also known, was initially established in Pittsburgh in 1965. 7 million people were drawn to the Tony Award-winning plays at the theater by a local group of top-tier professional performers. What’s more crucial is that students have the chance to try out for actual ACT productions and are cast, giving them a tremendous amount of exposure and experience from the best shows in the acting business. ACT is listed among the top acting schools in the world because, like the majority of prestigious theater schools in America, it has produced actors whose names you are likely to recognize. This may encourage you to apply for an audition to enter the school. It is one of the best drama schools in the world.

GUILDHALL SCHOOL OF MUSIC & DRAMA | LONDON

It’s wonderful to be able to add GSMD once more, and there’s no denying that it ranks right up there among the greatest acting programs in the world. One of the most prominent theater schools in the UK, it has produced actors who have found success in both the UK and US markets as well as great musicians like James Galway and Jacqueline du Pre. “Guildhall delivers a wide training — it’s not prescriptive,” explains Dominic West of GSMD. We are able to change things around. “Getting in was like winning the jackpot,” said Michelle Dockery.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | LOS ANGELES

USC was established in Los Angeles in 1880 as a research university. Although USC’s drama department isn’t solely focused on acting, and University’s research department is already incredibly well-known on its own, it is thought to be strong enough to compete with other top acting programs worldwide. It is listed as one of the best theater programs in the country for good reason; over the years, it has produced actors who have gone on to have very successful careers. I appreciate USC since its students are already trained in the industry because getting into this field requires training in both acting and business. Los Angeles natives are the best people to know this.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES

Another Los Angeles-based research university with a long roster of successful performers on its hands comes in first place on the list of the best acting schools in the world the best acting schools in the globe. It was founded in 1882 and has since developed into a significant region of the state of California. Additionally, UCLA has produced some of the most legendary figures in the business, some of whom most likely gave you the idea to pursue acting. There is no getting around the fact that screen work and business knowledge are prioritized in UCLA’s acting training, much like at USC. One of the best study opportunities an actor has ever had is at their top-notch drama department.

JUILLIARD SCHOOL | NEW YORK CITY

I know you were waiting for it, but it had to be included on the list of best acting schools in the world. On our list of the top acting schools worldwide, which is presented in no particular order, Juilliard, widely regarded as the best theatre school in the world, comes in first. In 1905, Julilliard was founded as the Institute of Musical Art. They currently train roughly 800 students year and have given birth to some of the most illustrious alumni in the world. Actually, getting into Juilliard is more difficult than getting into Harvard. Nothing is more prestigious than that, as I have stated.

ITALIA CONTI ACADEMY OF THEATRE ARTS | LONDON

Italia Conti, who created the company in 1911 and was a well-known female actor at the time, is the name of the company. The emphasis on screen acting is part of the current approach to actor training that this theater school has always offered, which is built on the fundamentals of classical talents. This institution has a large number of people working in the field, which means you’ll have fantastic connections once you graduate.

ROYAL ACADEMY OF DRAMATIC ART | LONDON

Here are the top acting programs in the world, listed in no particular order, according to UK royalty. RADA was established in 1904 and is not only regarded as one of the top acting programs in the world, but also likely one of the most competitive in the UK. It has a regal reputation, which is why it is named this way. There are lessons with just one teacher and a maximum of three pupils. According to legend, The Beatles’ manager, a RADA-trained actor, taught them how to be theatrical, which helped them become famous. If you are accepted, casting directors and agencies will undoubtedly be interested in you following graduation.

LONDON ACADEMY OF MUSIC AND DRAMATIC ARTS | LONDON

One of the first drama schools in the world is LAMDA. It was established in 1861 and has given rise to some very exceptional talent. Graduates of this theatre school have previously won 12 Tony Awards, 36 Olivier Awards, 16 Golden Globe Awards, 4 Academy Awards, and 19 BAFTA Awards. Someone who can obtain LAMDA onto their resume will score some huge points in the outstanding training and Hollywood connections departments, aside from the fact that this school looks good.

MOUNTVIEW ACADEMY OF THEATER ARTS | LONDON

Currently, one of the top drama schools in the UK is Mountview, as it is frequently called. Our favorite “M,” Dame Judi Dench, is the organization’s current president. It was created in 1945. The school emphasizes professional stage training heavily, but it also provides an introduction to related industries. There are allegations that Mountview continues to help its graduates months or even years after they graduate. So you should absolutely think about applying to Mountview if it is something you are interested in (connections for years to come, why not?). Make sure you have what it takes though to get a place one of the best acting schools in the world.

DEPAUL UNIVERSITY | CHICAGO

Another research university that is on our list of the  best acting schools in the world is there because it has a theatrical program that can compete with any other theatre program in the globe. DePaul, which was founded in 1898, is currently the best school for actors in Chicago, the country’s second-best theater city. DePaul deserves to remain on this list because, like the majority of the universities and drama schools there, it produced well-known and talented actors. “Something is in the Chicago water. Both DePaul and this location are excellent for performers, according to producer Laurence Mark.

THE ACTORS STUDIO | NEW YORK CITY

Every prior list I’ve made has omitted The Actors Studio, so I’m delighted I finally get the chance to add it to the list of best acting schools in the world.. The most recent significant development for this acting school occurred in 2006 when it joined Pace University. If you look at the graduating list that I was unable to finish, you can see why many performers refer to Actors Studio as a “holy place.” Actors Studio has some of the best instructors, including Lee Strasberg, Harold Clurman, Elia Kazan, Stella Adler, Sanford Meisner, and Robert Lewis. Actors Studio has the most influential history of any drama school in the world and was founded on the foundation of the renowned Group Theater.

ROYAL CONSERVATOIRE OF SCOTLAND | GLASGOW

A theater school for actors in Scotland is another institution that made the list of the best acting schools in the world. RCS, or Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD), is a reputable drama school that was established in 1847. The Academy currently counts Prince Charles as a sponsor, which supports the institution’s status as a thriving conservatoire. Apart from great undergraduate and post-graduate programmes, RCS also has Junior Academy of Drama for under 18 year old adolescents wishing to gain a head start in their acting career. It is surely one of the world-famous sites you will not regret being trained.

CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY | PITTSBURGH

The institution has been operating since 1900 and was established by Andrew Carnegie. CMU has done enough since they established their theater program to earn a spot on the list of top acting programs worldwide. What did they do? The best American performers who have won 6 Oscars and 96 Emmys were coached by them. It was a four-year playground, as Zachary Quinto was reported as saying of his experience at CMU. Holly Hunter agreed, saying, “I loved to be able to tear a script apart in purely technical terms to learn about a character using this really pragmatic approach. That’s where I learnt it.” Certainly a worthy addition to our list of the top acting programs worldwide.

CENTRAL SCHOOL OF SPEECH AND DRAMA | LONDON

The CSSD is back on the list of top acting schools in the world, and it’s well deserved. Founded in 1906, CSSD is a well recognized theater and drama institution. It is an accomplishment to be able to say that you filled a position in Central, as it is also referred to. This drama school has over the years turned out some incredibly talented actors who have found success on stage and in film and television. One of London’s most distinctive institutes for budding actors, it consistently provides a fresh approach to training for stage and screen acting.

ROYAL WELSH COLLEGE OF MUSIC AND DRAMA | CARDIFF

RWCMD is moving up our ranking of the finest acting programs in the globe from the UK. RWCMD, the National Conservatoire of Wales, was founded in Cardiff Castle in 1949 and competes on a global scale with all other premier acting institutions. According to what I’ve read about this university, they truly look out for their students both during and after their studies to help them get started in the field. The school often attracts casting directors, has strong ties to regional TV broadcasters, and hosts more than 300 public performances annually. If you live anywhere near Cardiff or Wales, think about applying to this acting school; you’ll be happy you did.

CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF THE ARTS | VALENCIA

CalArts is a well-known drama school that is included on the list of best acting schools in the world and is located not far from Hollywood. CalArts, which was founded in 1961 and is located in Valencia, Los Angeles County, is to thank for introducing a sizable number of talented actors to the US market. CalArts is currently referred to be “the heart of a wide network of artistic and professional contacts that traverses the globe” in reference to Travis Preston’s comment. The Wooster Group, Andre Gregory, Magnetic Fields composer Stephin Merritt, and avant-garde dramatist Richard Foreman, among others, are said to work with CalArts students.

Best Acting Schools in the World — How to get into one?

A tiny caveat first: for this modest best acting schools in the world list we have picked out excellent drama schools solely from English speaking countries. We are fully aware of the renowned acting schools in Moscow, St. Petersburg, France, Italy, Spain, and other countries, as well as their philosophical and physical methods.

We do our best to provide as much information as we can to our UK and US-based aspiring actors looking to enroll in one of the top acting programs in the world while still being able to speak their native tongue, as we anticipate that the majority of them will be interested in training in their mother tongue. We trust that our international friends will pardon us.

The majority of the world’s top acting schools are, of course, from the United States and the United Kingdom. Obviously, the two best theater cities with the longest and most extensive histories are London and New York City. However, all four of the drama schools in California, in my opinion, provide the best training for screen acting. And as I previously mentioned, the training of actors in America is significantly different from that in the UK because many actors working nowadays don’t bother with degrees and instead attend private acting schools.

I want to emphasize once more that the list is not in any specific order. To make it possible for you to see one drama school at the top while it was at the bottom on another list, I also tried to mix up all of the schools in comparison to other lists. It’s also crucial for you to realize that effort always wins out over luck, and if you can enroll in even one of these institutions, you might end up being just as successful as any of their alumni. Success is entirely up to you and has little to do, if anything, with the school you are attending.

You can browse my lists of the Finest Acting Schools in the UK, Best Drama Schools in London, Best Drama Schools in the UK, and Drama Clubs in London for more focused options besides merely the best acting schools in the globe. This could be a really important piece of intelligence for a British actor.

Drop a comment below if you have an experience with any of these schools to share. I hope you will find this list of the top acting schools in the world useful or at the very least enjoyable to read.