Candidates must present their abilities and real-world experience to land an acting part. To secure an audition and advance in your acting career, a strong résumé may be necessary. Your chances of impressing the casting crew may rise if you are familiar with the principles of a CV and know how to customize it for the acting profession. In this post, we'll walk you through the process of creating an acting resume in eight simple steps and give you two real-world samples to use as a model.

An actor's acting résumé is a one-page description of their professional acting experience and education. Similar to cover letters, resumes allow actors to briefly describe their previous employment and acting experience on a single page of text. Agents use resumes to book acting auditions for their clients. When actors receive awards, change their contact information, or land new jobs, they update their résumé.

In order to secure and arrive at an audition, actors often send their CV to a casting agency and give the printed copy to casting directors. A printed, one-page resume for actors is attached, with their headshot on the reverse.

There are a few essential details to add when using a conventional acting resume template:

1. Name: Your stage name—the name you use professionally in the industry—should be listed first on your CV. This should be right at the top, in a larger typeface. A clean font like Arial or Times New Roman will work well; if the remainder of your resume is in 12-point size, your name can go up to size 16 or 20. Ensure consistency and clarity with your font type on your resume at all times.

2. Your contact information, which should include your email address and mobile phone number, should appear immediately beneath your name. Include the contact details for your representation, if you have one.

3. Physical description: Although your full-color headshot will be attached to the back of your resume, you should still provide your pronouns along with the color of your eyes, hair, weight, and height on your resume.

4. Performing credits: The majority of your CV will be devoted to your acting experience. Sort your credits according to the visual arts: theater, cinema, and television. In general, start your lead with the section that is most appropriate for the particular audition. Your on-camera work, for instance, should come first for TV program auditions: TV, film, then theater. In three columns, you can list the project, the name of the role, and the production firm (for theatre) or distribution business (for cinema and television) for your acting credits. Working backward, start with the most current project.

5. Accolades: Next to the part or production that won an award, put any noteworthy awards in parenthesis.

6. Training: You may choose to call this part "education" or "training." Here, you can mention the institutions you attended (along with your degrees, such as an MFA or BFA) and the particular teachers you had lessons with, outlining the subjects you covered with each of them (for example, acting classes, improvisation, movement, or voice-over work).

7. Special skills: At the very bottom of your resume, you might provide a list of particular skills that directors would find useful. These can include dialects you've mastered, foreign languages you speak well, or dance forms you can perform with assurance.

The objective of a CV is to draw casting directors' attention to your acting experience, whether you are auditioning in Hollywood or on Broadway. Therefore, bear the following in mind:

The reverse chronological, functional, and combination resume formats are the three primary categories of resume formats. You can demonstrate your strengths to potential employers by selecting a format that is appropriate. Reverse chronological order is frequently used by actors with some professional experience. In this arrangement, acting roles are listed from most recent to least recent, emphasizing your career experience.

For freshmen or those wishing to shift careers, a functional format might be helpful. It prioritizes education and training over work experience. For instance, you could start a functional resume by mentioning your most recent acting classes and unique abilities. Similar in structure, a combination format combines both pertinent knowledge and experience.

No two resumes will be the same; although they may have a broad format, you can tailor yours to highlight your best qualities. List your exceptional skills in order of most spectacular or distinctive first. Include the names of any prominent directors you've collaborated with in the same column as the plays, television programs, or movies you've included. Just remember to remain consistent and list directors for both big and small projects.

This can seem like a small step, but it's actually quite important if you want to advance in the application process and get an audition. Include your entire name, home address, and contact information, including a phone number and email address. You or your agent may use this email address. After your own information, provide the name of your agent, if you have one.

Proofread your contact information before submitting your resume to catch small errors like a misspelled phone number. Ensure that the data is accurate and that a professional email address is included. The recruiter can easily reach you for an audition or interview if you provide accurate information.

Acting resumes frequently list physical characteristics and measurements. This information aids hiring managers in determining whether you are qualified for the open position. You can provide physical information like your height, weight, eye color, hair color, and skin tone. Some applications might need you to submit more specific data, such as your hip, waist, and breast dimensions, for costuming requirements. Your hat and shoe sizes may also be requested.

A headshot may also be required to go with your resume. Casting directors may now get a more precise physical impression of each applicant. Additionally, it helps them select roles that are appropriate for each actor. Since the purpose of the headshot is to get the casting director's attention, think about hiring a professional photographer.

Your headshot must accurately depict your present appearance. Every few years, update your headshots so casting directors working in theater and film may look at your résumé and quickly understand who you are. To demonstrate their range, some performers keep a variety of headshots on hand—smiling images for comedies or cheery projects and more sober images for dramas or scripts with deeper themes.

Indicate on your resume which unions, AEA or SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists), you belong to. It will demonstrate to employers that you are a serious professional who takes your work seriously.

A professional summary provides an overview of your background and experience. Your title, number of years of experience, and a summary of your major accomplishments are usually included. In the final line, you often declare your interest in the job being posted.

If you only have a little acting experience, you might think about setting a professional goal. similar to a synopsis, but with an emphasis on pertinent goals and talents rather than professional experience. It might mention your education and one or more particular abilities. You might mention your amateur experience with Shakespearean comedies, for instance.

This part serves as the resume's major body for people with a significant amount of performing experience. You get the chance to demonstrate to potential employers the breadth and durability of your acting career. Use a consistent format while writing a resume so that it's easy to read. It's customary to mention each role below the appropriate subheading. Film and television, advertisements, academic, or regional theaters are some of these subheadings.

Reverse the order of the roles you list so the recruiter sees your most recent position first. Include details such as the title of the production, your part, and the names of the director and producer beneath each category. For each role, be as explicit as you can. Casting directors will have a better understanding of your degree of experience and areas of specialty if they have access to specific information.

If you're just starting out in acting, a section on education and training is extremely crucial. Casting directors can see your acting skills and work ethic. Additionally, it might draw attention to any expertise or areas of special interest, such as musical theater. You may mention acting programs, postsecondary education, and any other acting classes or courses in this section.

Include the institution's name, location, and any noteworthy accomplishments. This could be an impressive grade or a leading role. From most recent to least recent, list your education and training. The specifics of your degree might not be relevant if you have a lot of performing experience.

This part is only found in resumes for actors. Your chances of landing an acting position may improve if you let the casting staff know about any unique skills. For instance, a movie about the outback may hunt for performers with riding skills. Or, for a TV show about a well-known band, casting directors would look for performers who can sing or play an instrument.

Anything from a motorcycle endorsement to a helicopter license to martial arts training might be listed under "unique skills." You may mention your fluency in multiple languages and dialects or your command of the vocal range. Be truthful when describing the capabilities you can offer because casting directors could ask for examples of your abilities. Your specialized skills can be listed in bullet points.

This area can be crucial because it demonstrates to casting directors your acting talent and skills. A resume that shows evidence of industry recognition is probably going to be viewed favorably by recruiters. Your level of experience may determine the honors you include.

You might cite gratifying magazine reviews or significant academic accomplishments if you've recently graduated from college or acting training. If you have several years of performing experience, you are welcome to include any prestigious acting honors that acknowledge your talent and contribution. This honor or award could be local, national, or even global.

The skills you have, even if you don't have a lot of experience, should be highlighted on your resume. Include smaller or older projects on your CV, such as courses you've taken, short films or student productions you worked on, or even college or high school plays. Additionally, you can mention any classes you've taken and expand on the part about your special skills with information that is pertinent to performing careers, such as languages spoken, cooking skills, and any musical instruments you may play.

Actors put their theatrical, TV, and film credits on resumes to give casting directors a summary of their careers from Los Angeles to New York. A resume is an absolute must if you’re going to be able to put yourself and your acting skills out there in the film and TV business.