Entertainment

Sample Resume

An actor’s resume and headshot has one purpose: to get you work. It is an overview of an actor’s performance experience, skills, and qualifications. The resume should be clear, easy to read, and relevant to the acting job you’re seeking. A casting director needs to be able to learn about the highlights of your work within a few seconds.

Use the following basic structure in your resume:

Heading – your basic information:

• Name: Use a larger font and bold your name. It should stand out
• Primary contact phone numbers
• Email address, website, and any union affiliations
• Do not include your home address. This is for safety reasons, and for accessibility in case you move (an actor’s resume may be on a casting agent’s file for several years).
• Provide your height, weight, hair, and eye color, and if applicable, your vocal range.

Experience:

Acting can be categorized in several ways, depending on the breadth and range of one’s experience. Categories can include:

• Broadway, Off-Broadway, Regional/Stock, Community, etc.
• Theatre or Stage, Film, Television, Industrials, Voiceovers, etc.

Under each category, separate credits by columns: production title, role played, theatre/producer/ director. Dates aren’t necessary, and only clutter the resume.

An actor doesn’t need to include all of their credits. Rather, they should choose the most recent and/or prestigious roles, as well as credits relevant to the audition. Less is more, and actors can always include a line indicating “additional credits available upon request.” Actors should send updates to their resumes when a headshot is on file with an agent. This keeps one’s name fresh and “top-of-mind” with an agency.

Education and Training:

In addition to listing your college degree and major, your resume can include acting-related workshops, on-going studio classes, or private training. You may also include training in related fields such as music (especially singing), dance, martial arts, etc. Many actors include the number of years they have trained in a particular area, technique, or discipline.

Special Skills:

This can include everything—regional dialects, accents, spoken languages, juggling, acrobatics, sports, etc. If you can do it, include it.

Size and Format

• Use a font and size (11 pt. is common) that are easy to read.
• Trim resume to fit the back of an 8”x10” headshot, and ensure your resume’s text fits comfortably in that dimension.
• Print directly or staple each corner of resume to the back of a headshot

For tips on writing a standard resume, see our Resume How-To Guide.

A resume for non-performance roles in the entertainment will be similar to a standard resume but will often have specific modifications, such as unique headings, relevant for a particular role. Depending on the particular job and field of interest, resumes may need to highlight a number of skills and include some sections that are not present in a standard resume or academic CV.

Sample Resume

Resume samples are intended to provide a basic idea of what an acting resume can look like. Your resume may look different. Further, other roles within or adjacent to the performing arts may have unique modifications as well. One of the best ways to figure out how your resume should look is to explore the resumes of other professionals who are working in similar ways to what you intend to do. Many performers have webpages with their resumes included. An internet search is an excellent tool to discover resume version in the professional world.

For tips on writing a standard resume, see our Resume How-To Guide.

Headshots: Resumes used to audition for performance are accompanied by a professional headshot – often with your resume printed on the back of the headshot.  While you will certainly need digital copies of your headshots, it is necessary to have a physical resume and headshot available for auditions.  Your attitude should be open and friendly, and warmth should radiate from your eyes. One very good photo is all you really need. Headshots should always be 8 x10 and résumés must be cut to fit. Black and white headshots are no longer used; all headshots need to be in color.  Your name should be printed on your photo.  You can have several headshots: theatrical (more serious), commercial (more smiley) or character (for specific types you can play-optional). Matte is the best finish for headshots, not semi-gloss.

Below are top tips articulated in Backstage:

1. It is worth the financial investment to have high quality headshots taken to showcase you as a performer.  Most performers will agree it’s worth pay for a qualified professional who is trained to take headshots.  Good headshots can range from $500 to $1,200 – with some additional costs to have them duplicated.
2. Ensure the headshot really looks like you and has some personality.  Minimize after shot modification.  Headshots will need to be taken every few years to ensure that you look like your photo.
3. In general, a good headshot is chest up with good lighting on your face, and no strong dramatic shadows.
4. Lighting matters!  Consider natural light vs. studio light.  A good photographer will be able to help you ensure lighting works.
5. Make sure your headshot is focused on you.  Limit props, extraneous clothing, and excessive make-up.

Resource: Actor Headshots: Everything You Need to Know (Backstage)