An Example of an Actor's Resume

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Hi everybody, and welcome to Theater is a Sport.  Today I'm going to give you an example of an actor's resume.  I want to make it clear that there are many types of actor's resumes, and the type I'm going to show you today is geared more toward an actor with basic community theater experience who might be going to an open casting call just to see what happens, or for the senior in high school who is auditioning for acting schools and needs to bring a resume.  The more you get into the business, the more your resume will change. 

Here's an example of a resume I used recently for myself.  It is not the most glamorous resume in the world, but it will do the trick:

BOBBY KENISTON

Actor, Playwright, Theatre Educator

 

 

(207) 564----              theater.is.a.sport@gmail.com               theaterisasport.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

Height: 5' 5" Weight: 180 Hair: Brown Eyes: Hazel

SELECTED THEATRE EXPERIENCE
 THE PAJAMA GAME                                                  PREZ                                            LAKEWOOD THEATER

THE REPROGRAMMING OF JEREMY                     HANK                                      LIGHT BABY PRODUCTIONS


ONCE UPON A MATTRESS                                        DAUNTLESS                              LAKEWOOD THEATER


I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT
NOW CHANGE                                                            MAN 1                                          LAKEWOOD THEATER


ALMOST, MAINE                                                        VARIOUS                                      CENTER THEATRE

GODSPELL                                                                 JESUS CHRIST                              CENTER THEATRE

DRACULA                                                                   DR. SEWARD                                LAKEWOOD THEATER

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS                                    SEYMOUR                                     CENTER THEATRE

SCROOGE AND MARLEY                                          JACOB MARLEY                          CENTER THEATRE

CURTAINS                                                                   Lt. FRANK CIOFFI                       LAKEWOOD THEATER

THE PRODUCERS                                                      LEO BLOOM                                 LAKEWOOD THEATER

INCORRUPTIBLE                                                       JACK                                               LAKEWOOD THEATER

FAME!                                                                         SCHLOMO                                  WATERVILLE OPERA HOUSE

THE BALTIMORE WALTZ                                          THE THIRD MAN                           BENNINGTON COLLEGE
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Bobby Keniston is an actor, playwright, director, and theatre educator currently living in Dover-Foxcroft, ME. After studying at Boston University's School For the Arts, Bobby completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Bennington College, with majors in Theatre and Literature. Since then, Bobby has appeared in over 50 plays, ranging from children's theatre, musicals, dramas, comedies and even a farce or two. As a playwright, Bobby has 24 plays published with three different houses, all for the youth and community theater markets (list available upon request). He also won an award for Best Emerging Playwright at the New England Regional Festival of community theatres, sponsored by the NETC. He currently teaches drama at Foxcroft Academy. Full list of publications and acting credits available upon request.
SKILLS
Singer with a vocal range of Tenor I or 2, basic knowledge of piano, ukulele, and trumpet. Skilled with various dialects, including Standard British, Cockney, Coastal Maine, Boston, American Southern, and Irish. Responds well to choreography.


Okay, so there you have it.  As you can see, this is not like your typical headshot/resume that you may see all over the place.  For starters, instead of a headshot, I have included a small headshot picture right on the resume.  Why?  Well, I'm not pursuing a huge career as a professional , just the occasional open casting call at an Equity house.  I'm not in the union, and I do far too much community theater to give up, so I probably won't be in a union any time soon (unless something beautiful falls in my lap and I can do this full-time), so there's really no need for me to spend a ton of money on really professional headshots and resumes.  If I were trying to make a go as a professional actor right now, I surely would make the investment, and be sending my headshot and resume all over the place, but that's not the case. 

Another difference between this resume and others---  I opted to write a brief biographical sketch in the section that most people reserve for Education.  Why?  Well, it has been a long time since I was a student of acting, and, instead of pursuing professional jobs in the business right out of school, my life took me on other paths.  Hence, it might seem funny to a casting director to see I was a graduate of Bennington College in 2000 with a degree in Theater, but have no professional credits on my resume.  That is why a brief biographical sketch, I think, is better way for me to go.  It explains where my life has taken me, and somewhat shows that I am ready to finally be stepping up.  It also notates that I have still been working hard in the business in other aspects, just outside of "professional".  If you are a student applying to an acting school, use this space for Education--- I do not recommend a biographical sketch at this point for you.  And, under Education, list your high school, of course, and any kind of summer acting programs or special classes in scene study or acting technique you might have studied, as well as the teacher's name who taught you.  For example:

SUMMER SHAKESPEARE WORKSHOP,  Bobby Keniston, instructor

For someone who has done a lot of community theatre work over the years, and is trying their shot at an open casting call for an Equity House, my example is a way to have a resume that will work, and not cost you a lot of money.

Note:  be honest in your special skills, and mention things that might come in handy on stage, or just really interesting skills that you have that might get attention.  Also, make sure your resume is not longer than one page.  Seriously. 

Hope you all have found this helpful!

Happy auditioning, and remember--- theater is a sport!