Actor Resume: Example and Tips
Actors portray characters in a variety of mediums, including television, movies and on stage. In an acting gig, you’ll usually be required to read and memorize scripts, take directions from the director and crew, and potentially improvise in certain situations. An actor should have a creative edge, a good grounding in acting principles, and excellent speaking abilities. Most professional actors also have undergone specific training to improve their range and versatility.
To make your own actor resume stand out, use our resume examples and tips to present your qualifications.
Table of Contents
Featured Resume Example: Actor
Name: EVE BROCKLEN
Address: City, State, Zip Code
Phone: 000-000-0000
E-Mail: email@email.com
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Reactive, empathetic actor seeking a role in a commercial, stage or film production. Skilled in utilizing attention, memorization and improvisational abilities during high-pressure performances. Adaptable and charismatic performer.
WORK HISTORY
- e Recurring cast member on Amazon’s “A Boy Named McCoy,” currently in pre-production for fourth season; elevated to series regular after season two.
- Audition for features and book supporting roles during shooting breaks.
- Helped increase streaming views for “McCoy” by 50 percent over three years of social media and press promotion.
- Consistently auditioned and booked commercials for both web and television.
- Contributed to increasing Kleenex’s market share by 3 percent after modeling in multiple photoshoots for 2013 multimedia ad campaign.
- Grew talent agency’s client list after booking work in several high-profile campaigns.
- Spearheaded a 30 percent increase in class enrollment through a series of local access TV performances.
- Taught introductory, intermediate and advanced classes.
- Served as interim school director while full-time director filmed TV and movie roles.
SKILLS
- Memorization skills
- Professional demeanor
- Agile
- Operations management
- Exceptional communicator
- Exceptional interpersonal skills
- Television and film background
- Time management
EDUCATION
Top 4 Characteristics of a Best-in-Class Actor resume
- Summary This short paragraph should give recruiters a snapshot of your skills and expertise. Present your best work experiences and accomplishments, while highlighting your top skills. For example: “Energetic performer with experience in critically acclaimed television and theater productions.” Emphasize your best abilities related to acting, such as a professional approach, or training in Method acting.
- Skills Look to the job description to determine the skills most needed for this job, then provide your top attributes that fit the bill. You can also subcategorize your skills similar to this:
1. Industry-specific skills such as memorization skills, voice modulation, understanding of dramatic techniques
2. Soft skills such as being detail-oriented, dependable and adaptable - Work history When describing previous gigs, provide a quick description of what the role entailed, and the value you added to the production. For example: “Played major role of Iago in ‘Shakespeare Theatre in Park Shakespeare’ production that sold out for 30+ summer performances.”
- Education List any formal training and/or degrees you have in theatre arts or filmmaking. Also include any training you have in specific related skills such as dancing, singing or performance arts (e.g., certification as a musician).
See Why My Perfect Resume is a 5-Star Resume Builder
Find the Right Template for your Resume
Don’t waste time hunting for the right look for your resume. Consider these three professionally-designed templates as a foundation for your actor resume:
Artistic
This design uses colored accents that help organize each section, while the combination of black and colored resume font on the job applicant’s name gives it a modern look.
Strong
This template uses a blend of colors to give it a fresh appearance. The text is divided in two sections, making it easily scannable.
Contemporary
This layout follows a contemporary style, making for a good break from the conventional black and white. The unique placement of the job applicant’s name also catches the eye.
For more options to create on your own, please see our resume templates page.
Do’s and Don’ts for Your Resume
- DO include soft skills Recruiters value both technical skills and intangible, or “soft,” skills in candidates. As much of acting depends on one’s inner qualities as well as the ability to collaborate with others, be sure to list abilities such as empathy, ability to work in a team, superior communication abilities, and improving performance work based on feedback.
- DO use strong action verbs Energize your statements with action verbs instead of passive phrases. For example, include phrases like “Delivered performance using a single take” rather than “Was able to finish scenes in single takes.” Use words like “delivered” and “performed” rather than “was responsible for” or “was tasked with.” The more you can describe your experience using these verbs, the stronger your image will be as a proactive candidate.
- DO prepare different versions of your resume for each job Don’t stick to one resume for all positions — after all, an acting role in an improv setting is different from a part in a filmed commercial. Tailor your resume according to each job role by going through the job description, determining what qualities/abilities the recruiter prioritizes for that particular job, and incorporate relevant skills and experiences in your resume that address those needs.
- DON’T write an overly-long resume Just as audiences don’t appreciate a movie that overstays its welcome, don’t make your resume longer than it needs to be. Focus only on information that tells employers about your best, most relevant skills and qualifications. For example, previous work as a waiter may have paid the bills, but there’s no need to go into detail about it on your resume. Stick to a single-page layout, with concise details summed up in bullet points.
- DON’T forget to list relevant activities and certifications Acting jobs often require familiarity with a variety of skills such as dancing, singing, performance arts, horse-riding or mimicry. The best way to show your recruiter about your proficiency in these areas is through listing any certifications or training you’ve had in these areas — be sure to include them in your education section.
- DON’T rush into submitting your resume without proofreading Actors who flub their lines don’t last very long. ake sure you don’t flub your resume, and, run a check for grammatical errors and typos before sending it. This is also your chance to review the information in your resume, and make sure it’s accurate and up-to-date.
Pair your Resume with a Matching Cover Letter
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