Writing a dance resume is slightly different from creating one for other jobs. Instead of a professional experience section that details past positions, you may need a list of your performance roles. It is sometimes necessary to list your physical stats, including height, weight, and hair color. Find out how to apply the guidelines for resume writing to a dance resume with the tips below.
Most Popular Dance Resumes
Commercial Dance Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Eloise’s resume lists her physical attributes, previous dance experience and training, and unique dance skills that set her apart.
Key Tips: Showcase versatility: Listing a mix of television, live performances, and music videos makes her experience stand out. Highlight special skills: Clogging and tap are valuable niche skills in commercial dance.
For more resume-building tips, visit Resume Skills.
Ballet Soloist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Jayda’s resume highlights her prestigious training and consistent career progression, demonstrating her technical skills and dedication.
Key Tips: Showcase training pedigree: Listing elite instructors enhances credibility. Highlight promotions: Moving from apprentice to soloist shows career growth.
For expert resume guidance, visit Best Resume Formats.
Broadway Dancer Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Scarlett’s resume effectively showcases her Broadway and regional theater experience while emphasizing her vocal training.
Key Tips: List key roles: Showing understudy performances highlights reliability and readiness. Include high-profile training: Training with industry professionals adds credibility.
For more resume strategies, visit Resume Summary Examples.
Stage Actress Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Allison’s resume includes key personal statistics and a structured list of her most impactful roles.
Key Tips: Highlight awards: Tony Award recognition immediately catches attention. Use well-known productions: Casting directors look for experience in major theater houses.
For additional resume insights, visit CV vs. Resume.
Dance Instructor Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Selena’s resume emphasizes both performance and teaching experience, showing versatility.
For more, visit How to List Certifications on a Resume.
Competitive Dancer Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Isabella’s resume highlights her strong competition history and advanced training, making her a top contender for professional dance roles.
Key Tips: Showcase competition titles: Awards establish credibility and skill level. Highlight elite training: Studying at renowned schools adds prestige.
For more resume-building strategies, visit Resume Skills.
Dance Teacher Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Michael’s resume effectively showcases his teaching experience, highlighting both technical instruction and mentorship.
Key Tips: Emphasize student success: Mentioning top competition placements adds credibility. Highlight certification: Industry-specific credentials enhance qualifications.
For expert resume advice, visit How to List Certifications on a Resume.
Dance Coach Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Samantha’s resume highlights her experience in coaching winning dance teams while incorporating fitness training to enhance performance.
Key Tips: Show leadership: Coaching roles emphasize mentorship and development. Highlight achievements: National championship titles demonstrate success.
For more, visit Resume Summary Examples.
Dance Student Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Emily’s resume highlights her elite training and stage experience, positioning her as a strong candidate for professional dance opportunities.
Key Tips: Showcase high-caliber training: Listing Juilliard and ABT enhances credibility. Highlight performance roles: Named roles demonstrate leadership potential.
For additional guidance, check out How to List Relevant Coursework on a Resume.
Professional Dance Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Nathan’s resume effectively presents his diverse performance background, showing his ability to transition between live theater and commercial work.
Key Tips: Show versatility: Listing various performance mediums makes him marketable. Highlight professional credits: Well-known productions add industry recognition.
For expert resume formatting tips, visit Best Resume Formats.
Ballet Dancer Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Sofia’s resume showcases her elite training and lead performance roles, positioning her as a top-tier ballet professional.
Key Tips: Highlight principal and soloist roles to establish credibility. Include prestigious training programs and awards.
For additional resume tips, visit Resume Summary Examples.
Hip-Hop Dancer Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Derek’s resume highlights his high-profile performance credits and specialized hip-hop training.
Key Tips: Emphasize experience in major entertainment productions. List niche dance skills like freestyle and battle experience.
For more guidance, visit Resume Skills.
Contemporary Dancer Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Rachel’s resume highlights her contemporary company experience and self-choreographed work, making her an asset for performance companies.
Key Tips: Include self-choreographed projects to show artistic range. List specialized training, like the Gaga technique.
For additional resume advice, visit Best Resume Formats.
Tap Dancer Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Jason’s resume focuses on his expertise in tap, listing prominent productions and specialized training.
Key Tips: Highlight feature roles to show prominence in the field. List intensive festival training for credibility.
For more resume-building strategies, visit How to Make a Resume.
Jazz Dancer Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Alyssa’s resume effectively showcases her jazz expertise and ability to blend into musical theater and commercial performances.
Key Tips: Emphasize versatility across theater and commercial dance. Include specialized training programs like Ailey and Broadway intensives.
For expert resume formatting tips, visit Resume Objective Examples.
Choreographer Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
David’s resume highlights his high-profile choreography experience, making him a strong candidate for top-tier productions.
Key Tips: List choreography credits across multiple mediums for versatility. Showcase leadership roles in major productions.
For more, visit Resume Skills.
Dance Captain Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Jessica’s resume effectively highlights her ability to lead and maintain choreography quality in major productions.
Key Tips: Include leadership responsibilities within performance experience. Highlight experience in long-running productions.
For additional resume tips, visit Best Resume Formats.
Theater Director Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Marcus’ resume highlights his leadership in major productions and his ability to execute creative visions.
Key Tips: Showcase award nominations and wins for credibility. Include directing roles at multiple levels (Broadway, regional, tours).
For expert resume advice, visit Resume Summary Examples.
Musical Theater Performer Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Lillian’s resume effectively showcases her ability to perform in top-tier productions while highlighting her vocal and dance training.
Key Tips: Include high-profile performance credits. List vocal training and technical skills to appeal to casting directors.
For more, visit Resume Skills.
Dance Studio Owner Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Vanessa’s resume showcases both her artistic and business expertise, making her a strong candidate for leadership roles in the dance industry.
For additional resume-building strategies, visit Best Resume Formats.
Latin Ballroom Dancer Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Carlos’ resume highlights his extensive competition experience, international training, and high-profile performances.
Key Tips: Emphasize competition wins for credibility. Highlight partner dance expertise.
For more resume insights, visit Resume Summary Examples.
Circus Performer/Dancer Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Elena’s resume blends dance and circus performance, showcasing her unique ability to integrate movement with aerial artistry.
Key Tips: Highlight crossover skills between circus arts and dance. Include specialized training in aerial and acrobatics.
For expert resume guidance, visit Best Resume Formats.
Tap Dance Choreographer Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Gregory’s resume showcases his leadership in tap choreography, emphasizing his work in theater and film.
Key Tips: Highlight collaborations with high-profile productions. Showcase expertise in rhythm-based choreography.
For more, visit Resume Skills.
Dance Medicine Specialist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Dr. Barnes’ resume highlights her expertise in treating dancers, making her an invaluable asset to performing arts companies.
Key Tips: Emphasize medical credentials and specialized certifications. List experience with elite dance companies.
For more, visit How to List Certifications on a Resume.
Cruise Ship Dancer Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Emily’s resume showcases her ability to perform in high-energy cruise productions while adapting to different styles and venues.
Key Tips: Highlight experience in multiple cruise lines. Show versatility in different dance genres.
For more, visit Resume Summary Examples.
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Dance Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
How To Write a Dance Resume
1. Write a compelling profile summarizing your qualifications
Your profile summary is where you give the hiring director a chance to understand who you are as a performer and how you approach your craft. You can list any major companies you’ve participated in and any prominent roles or awards. Depending on the job requirements, add a section before your profile summary that lists your height, weight, hair, and eye color, as hiring directors may be casting a specific physical type.
Senior-Level Profile Example
| HEIGHT: 5’7” | WEIGHT: 110 lbs. | PHONE: 123.456.7890 |
| HAIR: Brown | EYES: Brown | EMAIL: [email protected] |
Extraordinary Broadway dancer with over 10 years of experience and an undeniable knack for vocal performance, according to vocal coach Liz Caplan. Appeared in four long-running Broadway musicals. Served as Drew McOnie’s Dance Captain in Broadway’s recent rendition of “King Kong” and performed the understudy role of Veruca Salt in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” 22 times.
Entry-Level Profile Example
| HEIGHT: 5’6” | WEIGHT: 110 lbs. | PHONE: 123.456.7890 |
| HAIR: Blonde | EYES: Green | EMAIL: [email protected] |
Energetic commercial dancer with a well-known repertoire, including TV’s “Glee” and “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.” Spent one year working for Disney Cruise Line as a dancer and tumbling specialist and was asked to help train other dancers after only two months. Excellent clogger and a strong tap dancer.
2. Add a performance-based professional experience section
On a traditional resume, the professional experience section is where you list your job title, employer, and job duties and responsibilities, but dance resumes often use a different format. A dance resume may resemble a performance-based curriculum vitae (CV). List the names of the productions you’ve been in, your role, and the director or choreographer.
If you have an extensive performance history, consider only selecting your best roles or most well-known performances and grouping the entries by type for easy skimming.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Broadway
| King Kong | Ensemble/Dance Captain | Drew McOnie |
| Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | Ensemble/u/s Veruca Salt | |
| Matilda the Musical | Ensemble Dancer | Peter Darling |
| SpiderMan Turn Off the Dark | Ensemble Dancer | Jerry Mitchell |
Music Theater Works-Chicago
| Oklahoma! | Laurey | Kyle Dougan |
| The Sound of Music | Maria | Kyle Dougan |
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
San Francisco Ballet School
- Named an apprentice in 2014
- Joined the company as a Corps de Ballet member in 2015
- Promoted to soloist in 2019
- Soloist and featured roles in:
- “Apollo” – Polyhymnia
- “Bach Partita” – Featured role
- “Cinderella (Ashton)” – Fairy Spring
- “La Bayadère” – Gamzatti; First Shade
- “On the Dnieper” – Olga’s mother
- “Swan Lake (McKenzie)” – Queen mother
- “The Brahms-Haydn Variations” – Leading role
- “The Nutcracker (Ratmansky)”
3. Include relevant education and training
While a formal degree in dance may not be necessary to get a job in a company, a hiring director wants to see that you have formal training. Add a separate section for your training history, noting the school, program, instructor, and dates of attendance. If the program isn’t especially well-known, please provide a short, bulleted list of what it includes, such as dance styles or productions. Should you have an academic degree, this can also be listed.
Training
Template
- [School], [Program], [Instructor] – Date Range
Example
- San Francisco Ballet School, Trainee Program, Patrick Armand – January 2014 to May 2014
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] – [Graduation Month and Year]
Example
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance
- Ohio State University, Columbus, OH – May 2017
4. List relevant proficiencies
Hiring directors often have a list of dance styles they want potential candidates to be proficient in, and creating a bulleted list of these on your resume can ensure that the reviewer immediately sees that you’re a good fit. Look through the casting call or role description and prioritize anything listed.
Below are some styles you may want to consider including on your resume. If you’re applying for a nonperformance role, such as an instructor, add in other key skills like choreography, communication, and class management.
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| African | Argentine Tango |
| Ballet | Ballroom (including Latin and Standard) |
| Bollywood | Breakdance |
| Butoh | Clogging |
| Contemporary | Flamenco |
| Hip-hop | Irish step |
| Jazz | Kathak |
| Krump | Modern |
| Popping | Salsa |
| Swing | Tap |
How To Pick the Best Dance Resume Template
The right dance resume template lists your proficiencies and roles in a format easy for a hiring director to skim. It shows what a valuable addition you can be to a company or production. Look for a template with room for your stats, previous roles, and formal training.
Also, include a headshot on or with your resume if the job posting doesn’t require a separate picture or performance packet.
Frequently Asked Questions: Dance Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for dance resumes?-
If you need a traditional professional experience section on your resume, you must start each bullet point with a strong action verb that conveys your strengths and qualities. For a more performance-based resume, include key action verbs in your profile summary section to help align with the job posting better. Here are some examples of strong action verbs for a dance resume.
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Choreograph | Create |
| Execute | Express |
| Improvise | Interpret |
| Perform | Practice |
How do you align your resume with a job description?-
Dancers and choreographers are likely to see more open positions in the next few years, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics expecting 27% job growth among these jobs, which is much faster than average. If you want your resume to stand out, you must ensure it’s aligned with each role you’re applying for.
Take a few minutes to review the job description, noting any keywords, dance styles, or other skills the hiring director has listed as important. Work these into your resume as you can for a targeted resume with a better chance of getting a callback.
What is the best dance resume format?-
Dance resumes usually have a functional format that lets you group your skills, past roles, and training together. However, you may need to change the headers on a functional resume template to match better the dance industry, such as replacing key skills with dance styles or education with training programs.
A combination resume works well if you're applying for a nonperformance role because you can group your dance skills and still have room for a professional experience section.
How long should I make my dance resume?-
A one-page dance resume is the best option for most candidates, as it ensures clarity and brevity. If you have significant achievements or over 10 years of experience, extending to two pages is fine—but only if the content is tailored and directly supports your application. Focus on impactful accomplishments and key skills that relate to the job.
Include your most recent 10 to 15 years of work experience. Older roles should only appear if they provide unique insights or align closely with the job requirements. Keeping your resume concise and relevant will maximize its impact.
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Including a matching cover letter with your dance resume can help you show your passion for performance and love for the stage. When writing a cover letter, consider choosing one or two of your favorite jobs to share what you learned during the process that can help you succeed in the role you're applying for.
