An acting resume is a crucial marketing tool that actors use to showcase their skills and experience to casting directors, agents, and producers. A well-crafted acting resume can help you stand out from the competition and land more auditions. Here are some tips on how to build an effective acting resume.
- Start with the Basics
Begin your acting resume with your name and contact information, including your phone number, email address, and physical address. This information should be easy to read and clearly visible at the top of the page. - List Your Acting Credits
The main part of your acting resume should include a list of your acting credits. Begin with your most recent work and work backwards. List the production name, your role, the theater or production company, and the director’s name. If you’ve worked on a TV show or film, include the network or studio name and the episode or film title. - Highlight Your Training and Education
List any acting classes, workshops, or degrees you’ve earned in acting or theater. Be sure to include the name of the institution or instructor and the duration of the program. - Include Your Special Skills
Special skills are abilities or talents that are relevant to acting, such as singing, dancing, or playing a musical instrument. List any special skills you have that might be relevant to the types of roles you’re interested in. - Keep it Professional
Your acting resume should be professional and easy to read. Use a standard font, such as Times New Roman or Arial, and keep the font size between 10 and 12 points. Use bullet points to organize your information and make it easy to scan. - Keep it Brief
Your acting resume should be one or two pages at most. Only include the most relevant information and focus on the highlights of your career. Avoid cluttering your resume with unnecessary details or irrelevant information. - Update it Regularly
Keep your acting resume up to date by adding new credits, training, and skills as you acquire them. Review your resume periodically to ensure it’s accurate and relevant.
Building an effective acting resume takes time and effort, but it’s a crucial marketing tool that can help you get noticed by casting directors and agents.
_______________________________
Here is a sample acting / actor’s resume to help you get started.
Simple Actor’s resume template.
Name: John Doe
Contact Information:
Phone: (555) 123-4567
Email: johndoe@email.com
Website: www.johndoeactor.com
Physical Attributes:Height: 5’11”
Weight: 170 lbs
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Blue
Acting Experience:Film:
- “The Lost City,” Supporting Role, Dir. Sandra Jones
- “Tears of the Sea,” Lead Role, Dir. Tom Wilson
- “The Last Stand,” Supporting Role, Dir. Rachel Green
Television:
- “Law & Order: SVU,” Co-Star Role, NBC, Dir. John Smith
- “Modern Family,” Co-Star Role, ABC, Dir. Maria Garcia
- “Orange is the New Black,” Guest Star Role, Netflix, Dir. Sarah Johnson
Theatre:
- “Romeo and Juliet,” Romeo, New York Theatre, Dir. Mark Stevens
- “The Glass Menagerie,” Tom, Chicago Theatre, Dir. Lisa Brown
- “A Streetcar Named Desire,” Stanley, Los Angeles Theatre, Dir. Michael Lee
Training:
- BFA in Acting, New York University, Tisch School of the Arts
- Acting Technique, The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute
- Voice and Speech, National Theatre Institute
Skills:
Dialects: British, Southern, New York, Australian
Stage Combat: Hand-to-Hand, Sword Fighting
Sports: Soccer, Basketball
Instruments: Guitar, PianoRepresentation:
Talent Agency: Smith Agency
Contact: Jane Smith
Phone: (555) 987-6543
Email: janesmith@smithagency.comNote: Headshot and acting reel available upon request.