Resumés

A clear and attractive resumé is vital to your life as a theatre artist.

An theatre resumé does not follow the standard business format.

Your entire resumé should fit on one side of a single page (8" x 10").

Arrange the material artfully and professionally and be carefully of trying to crowd too much information in using too small a type face -- keep it neat and readable.

Do not pad your resumé — the theatre world is far too small for you to get away with it! Be honest, but try to present even the most limited credits in the best light possible. Do not include extra non-theatrical/film/TV/commercial work.

Have copies made at any copying center. Use a reasonably heavy weight paper and consider using a color (nothing too bright).

Always look at other peoples' résumés. If you like something you see about typeface, organization, layout, paper, etc., work it into your own. Avoid being too cute or flashy.


Elements of the Resumé

1. Your name should appear at the top, either centered or in the upper left corner.

  1. Place at the top, either centered or in the upper left corner
  2. Decide whether or not to categorize yourself as a performer (Actor, Singer, Dancer, Actor/Singer, Singer/Actor, Singer/Dancer, Actor/Singer/Dancer, etc.), stage manager, technician, designer, etc.-- be honest!

2. Union Affiliations (if any) should appear below your name — abbreviations are fine.

3. Phone number and Address where you can be reached

  1. indicate whether it is a pnone or a machine
  2. If you use a pager, indicate this with the number

4. Agent: when and if you get representation, include your agent’s name and number.

5. Vital statistics (for performers only) are grouped together, usually on the left. These include:

  1. height to the inch(necessary), weight to the pound (optional, but . . . )
  2. hair color
  3. eye color
  4. If you sing, indicate your voice range (bass, baritone, alto, tenor, mezzo, soprano) and, if you ike, style (pop, belt, classical, legit)
  5. If you dance, indicate the type (jazz, tap, ballet,modern, ethnic, ballroom, etc.)
  6. It is not necessary to indicate your age or age range - let your photo speak to this
  7. If you were not born in the U.S., consider adding "U.S. Citizen" or "Naturalized Citizen" as appropriate

6. Credits:

  1. For New York theatre, list theatre credits first (most important roles first)
  2. Include the name of the play, your role, and the theatre in which it was produced. Organize with headings (Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off Broadway, Regional Theatre, Dinner Theatre, Stock, Tours, etc.). Do not include playwright
  3. If you have any professional credits, list these first
  4. Film credits should follow (film, role, production company, director).
  5. Television credits are next (show, role, network)
  6. Commercials are generally listed as "On camera and/or voice overs — list and tape upon request"
  7. List your most important and impressive credits first. You need not give dates and credits do not have to be in chronological or reverse chronological order
  8. Try to replace your college credits with professional credits as quickly as possible
  9. In LA list Film first, then TV and theatre
  10. If your list is not complete, use: "Selected Credits" rather than "Representative Roles"
  11. Omit high school credits as soon as possible
  12. Organize non-performance credits in reverse chronological order. Identify the theatre, your job and the date

7. Training:

  1. List where you studied
  2. List with whom (if reasonably prominent)
  3. List the highest degree(s) you completed or anticipated date of degree
  4. Be sure to include all relevant master classes, apprenticeships and internships
  5. Indicate specialized training (voice, movement, Shakespeare, View Points, etc.)
  6. Keep this section relatively short

8. Special skills: juggling, driving, fencing, stage combat, language fluency, dialects, musical instruments, horseback riding, painting, formal wardrobe, etc. If appropriate, add "Directing/Directing/ resumé available on request". Do not get too cute here and make sure your really can do these things!

9. Sports: (for performers only) swimming, riding, aerobics, martial arts, etc.

10. Other Work Experience: (for non-acting resumés only) List all other jobs in reverse chronological order


How to Get Started:

  1. Use a word processor.
  2. Develop a work sheet that lists all of the above elements.
  3. List credits in an appropriate order and determine what information about these credits you want to appear.
  4. Try to find successful and effective example of resumé layout that you can copy.
  5. Play with a variety of layouts - avoid trying to fit too much information on a single page. Keep it clear and readable. Remember, your finished resumé will be 8"x10", not 8 1/2" x 11".
  6. Get someone more experienced to review your resumé and make necessary adjustments.
  7. Retain your resumé file on the computer -- with each new job, acting teacher, etc., you will want to rework your resumé.
  8. Consider tailoring your resumé for certain jobs (rearrange information, include some things you omitted, cut some things you used, etc.).


Copying

  1. Look into copy services such as those ofered by Kinko's
  2. If you have (or have access to) a reasonably good printer, consider printing your own copies
  3. Consider the paper weight and color (stay away from any colors beyond light pastels)

Non-Acting Resumés

  1. Specify the sort of position you are seeking
  2. Indicate what you job was for each production credit listed
  3. Consider placing credits in reverse chronological order

Examples

 

 

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