Acting Resume Template & Examples

Acting resume template (text format)

Actors should use a non-standard resume format when applying to roles. Here’s an example of a resume formatted for an actor:

Acting resumes by specialty

Here are two more examples of acting resumes for different specializations:

Stage actor resume

This resume example focuses on the actor’s stage acting credits:

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Example highlights

• Focus on stage work: This stage actor’s professional experience focuses on their stage work, which shows casting directors that’s what they’re passionate about.
• Stage skills: When listing their skills, they lead with skills specific to on-stage acting, including vocal projection and movement theories, leaving more general abilities for the end of the list.

Television actor resume

If you’re focused on acting for television roles, base your resume off of this example:

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Example highlights

• Television credits: This actor lists all of his television credits prominently in the main body of the resume, including the name of the production, character name, network, year, and type of role.
• IMDB link: If you’ve acted in film or movies released to the public, then your IMDB page is an important resource for listing all of your acting credits. Be sure to list the URL along with the contact info in your resume’s header.

Actor (film, TV, voice) resume

If you’ve got acting credits in various different media, format your resume like this:

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Example highlights

• TV & film credits: This actor lists his TV and film credits together, arranged by date.
• Voice acting: He lists his voice acting credits separately which lets casting directors hiring for voice roles clearly see the breadth of his experience.

How to write an acting resume

Whether you’re a seasoned actor or just starting out in the business, these three tips will help you put together an excellent acting resume and capture a casting director’s attention.

1. List your special skills prominently on your resume

Emphasizing your special skills will show casting directors what unique abilities you have that can help bring the role to life. List your special skills in a separate skills section on your resume to make them pop.

Here are some example of special skills for an acting resume:

• Accents
• Languages
• Singing
• Improvisation
• Dancing
• Musical instruments
• Stage combat
• Sports
• Stunt work
• Makeup artistry
• Animal handling
• Acrobatic abilities
• Firearm safety
• Physical fitness
• Voice acting
• Stage management
• Prop making
• Driving

2. Include key information for an acting resume

Writing an acting resume is a little different from writing a regular resume. To impress casting directors, you’ll need to include:

1. Contact details: For example, name, affiliated union, phone number, and email address.
2. Online portfolio: Include your portfolio URL (if you have one) so directors can learn more about your previous work.
3. Physical attributes (also known as a bio): For example, hair color, eye color, weight, and clothing size.
4. Agent’s contact information: Write “Represented by” followed by your agent’s name, agency, phone number, and email so directors can contact them directly.
5. Resume objective (optional): An acting resume objective is a 2–4 sentence summary that summarizes your top special skills, awards and accolades, and professional experience.
6. Acting credits: Describe your previous work experience as a performer. An acting resume typically lists experience out in a three-part format: title, role, and director or studio.
7. Education and training: List any performance schools, master classes, seminars, or workshops that you’ve joined, including the name of the institutes and the year(s) you attended them.
8. Special skills: Mention the best skills for your resume and list them in columns to make them straightforward and easy to read.
9. Headshot: You can attach your headshot to the back of a printed resume (back-to-back) using staples or glue, or add a resume picture to the front of the page if you’re sending it by email.
10. Awards and accolades (optional): Including a section for these accomplishments on your resume for acting shows that your talent and hard work has been recognized by others.

3. Organize your acting experience by category

Separate your experience into categories such as film, television, theater, commercials, and voiceover work to make it easy for casting directors to find relevant information.

Here are three examples of what this might look like:

Employment data (full-time, part-time, etc.)

We looked at 1,378 acting job ads and discovered that many offered contractor or part-time opportunities.

If you’re balancing acting gigs with classes or other commitments, write a part-time resume that clearly outlines your career goals and availability.

Starting out as a new actor

Are you an aspiring actor trying to break into the industry? Actress and USC film school student Makayla Lysiak shares her advice for new actors in this video:

Resume examples for different industries

Not sure what your resume should look like? The best way to learn is by taking inspiration from resume examples written by other candidates in your industry.

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