<p>I think you’ll find that Tony winners have a diverse background because, quite simply, you have to be a SPECIAL talent in order to even get a part that could be nominated, and then execute it well enough to beat out everyone else up for it. So basically, I would say that those talents are so rare that there won’t be a “trend” to follow. However, I think if you look at the larger picture - people in supporting roles and ensemble on and off-broadway, leads at regional theatres, successful actors who get paid enough to live off what the make - the trend would be that they have a college degree from somewhere (although not necessarily the “big” programs) or comparable training from elsewhere and, most of all, they’ve worked hard and paid some dues at smaller theatres somewhere along the line.</p>