If you're an actor looking to book roles, your acting resume is one of your most important tools. It’s your professional calling card, showcasing your experience, skills, and training in a concise and organized manner. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, here’s what you should include in your acting resume to make the best impression.
Your personal information should be at the top of your resume. Include your full name in a bold, easily readable font along with your contact information such as your email and phone number. If you are part of any unions like SAG-AFTRA or Equity, be sure to mention that. Some actors also list their height, weight, eye color, and hair color, though this is optional. A link to your personal website or online reel can also be helpful if available.
Many actors print their resumes on the back of their headshots, so it’s essential to have a professional, industry-standard headshot. If submitting digitally, include your headshot as part of your email or portfolio link.
Your acting experience should be organized into different categories based on the type of work. The most common sections include theater, film and TV, commercials, voiceover, and new media. For theater credits, list the name of the production, the role you played, the theater company, and the location. For film and TV, include the title of the project, your role, the production company, and the director. Commercial work is often listed as “Available upon request” unless you have permission to name specific projects. If you have done voiceover work, such as animated shows, video games, or radio ads, make sure to include them in a separate section. New media credits can include web series, YouTube productions, or online content. If you are just starting out, student films, indie projects, or community theater performances are great additions to your resume.
Your training and education section should include any relevant schooling, acting classes, and workshops. List any acting schools, conservatories, or universities you attended, along with the specific training programs you have completed. Notable acting coaches or teachers should also be mentioned, as well as any specialized training such as Meisner, Method, or improv training at institutions like UCB.
Casting directors often look for unique skills, so it’s important to include a special skills section. This might feature accents and dialects, sports and martial arts experience, musical talents such as singing, playing instruments, or dance training. If you have stage combat or stunt training, make sure to highlight it. Language fluency and other performance-related abilities like improv, puppetry, or horseback riding can also be valuable additions.
To maximize your chances of landing a role, tailor your resume for each audition. Highlight the most relevant experience and skills that align with the character or project. For example, if you're auditioning for a musical, emphasize singing and dance experience. If it's an action role, showcase stage combat or stunt training. Customizing your resume demonstrates your suitability and makes it easier for casting directors to see you in the role.
Formatting is key to making your resume easy to read and professional. Keep it to one page and use a clean, professional font such as Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri. Avoid excessive design elements and ensure that the layout is simple and well-organized. When sending your resume digitally, save it as a PDF to preserve formatting.
Your acting resume is a constantly evolving document. Update it regularly with new credits, training, and skills. A well-structured, professional resume increases your chances of landing auditions and impressing casting directors.