Theater Resume Examples and Templates for 2023

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Theater Resume Templates and Examples (Downloadable)

Example #1

Example #2

Example #3

How To Write a Theater Resume

Theater resumes follow a distinct structure that makes them unique from other resumes. It’s best to consider your theater resume an extension of your professional portfolio. The goal is to create a comprehensive marketing document that showcases your strongest performances and acting experience. Theater auditions are highly competitive, and you must showcase your accomplishments to stand out from other applicants. Throughout this guide, we’ll provide expert tips to help you translate your career experience into an accomplishment-driven theater resume.

1. Write a compelling profile summarizing your qualifications

To grab the attention of casting directors, you’ll want to craft a strong opening summary highlighting the most compelling aspects of your acting career. For example, you may want to provide some examples of your most prominent roles. You could also showcase any significant awards or nominations you achieved. Below your profile, you should also provide key physical attributes and your vocal range.

Professional Profile – Example #1


Profile

An accomplished actress with seven years of professional experience in both theater and television. A proven track record of achieving award nominations for performances in both musicals and Shakespeare productions. Expertise in delivering innovative portrayals of characters with unique emotions and presence.

Physical Attributes

  • 5’8 Height
  • 135 Pounds
  • Green Eyes
  • Brown Hair
  • Soprano

 

Professional Profile – Example #2


Profile

An award-winning theater actor with ten years of experience in film, musical theater, and television. Achieved recognition for a featured role in the Broadway production of Hamilton. An active Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and Actors’ Equity Association member.

Physical Attributes

  • 5’11 Height
  • 175 Pounds
  • Blue Eyes
  • Brown Hair
  • Tenor

 

2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section

Unlike traditional resumes, theater resumes don’t require bullet points in most instances. Instead, you should compile a list of your acting performances. Be sure to specify the character, theater organization, and date. You can also consider including the director of the play on your resume.

Theater circles are often smaller than one might think, and familiarity with a previous director might increase your chances of landing an audition.

Professional Experience – Example #1


Theater Experience

Hamilton
Aaron Burr
Gershwin Theater
Jesus Christ Superstar
Judas
Lyric Theater
Les Miserables
Javert
New Amsterdam Theater
Rent
Tom Collins
Gershwin Theater
Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar
Winter Garden Theater
The Lion King
Scar
Lyric Theater
Hamlet
Laertes
New Amsterdam Theater

 

Film & Television Experience

True Detective
Police Officer
HBO Productions
Marvel’s Daredevil
Bartender
Netflix Productions
Julius Caesar Film
Brutus
Independent Film

 

Professional Experience – Example #2


Theater Experience

Les Miserables
Fantine
Philadelphia Theater Company
Macbeth
Lady Macbeth
Philadelphia Theater Company
Phantom of the Opera
Christine
Philadelphia Theater Company
Fiddler on the Roof
Golde
Media Theater
The Sound of Music
Maria von Trapp
Media Theater
Chicago
Velma Kelly
Hedgerow Theater
Romeo and Juliet
Juliet
Hedgerow Theater

 

3. Include relevant education, awards, and associations

In addition to your education, you’ll want to highlight any awards or nominations you’ve received throughout your acting career. Tony awards, in particular, carry the most weight amongst the theater community. If you’re a member of a prominent association, such as the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), you should create an additional section to showcase these memberships.

Certifications


Template: [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]

Examples:

  • Best Performance by a Featured Actor, Fantine, Aaron Burr, Tony Awards
  • Nominated for Best Performance by a Featured Actor, Javert, Tony Awards

 

Education


Template:

  • [Degree Name]
  • [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] [Dates Enrolled]

 

Example:

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) Theater
  • AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DRAMATIC ARTS, New York, NY September 2007 – May 2011

 

4. List relevant key skills and proficiencies

Theater resumes differ from other industries in that production companies rarely use Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) to identify candidates for auditions. In most cases, your portfolio will be reviewed by the director or production studio to evaluate your experience and performance. Although ATS systems won’t screen you, you’ll still want to include key skills from the job posting to showcase your qualifications and areas of expertise for the director. Below, you’ll find a list of key skills that you may encounter as you pursue auditions:

Key Skills and Proficiencies
Acting Alto
Baritone Body Language
Character Acting Contralto
Countertenor Dancing
Drama Facial Expressions
Method Acting Mezzo-Soprano
Musical Acting Musical Theater
Singing Soprano
Tap Dancing Team Collaboration
Tenor Leadership

How to Pick the Best Theater Resume Template

When selecting your theater resume template, the best option is to focus on structure and organization over visual appeal. Casting directors are primarily interested in your previous roles and awards, so you’ll want to avoid using flashy colors and graphics that might distract the reader from your content. Using a template that allows for a professional headshot is acceptable, but you can also provide this as a separate attachment.

Theater Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

Years of Experience
  • Example #1 Example #1
  • Example #2 #2
  • Example #3 #3

Aliya Dimarco
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, Philadelphia, PA 12345

Profile

An accomplished actress with seven years of professional experience in theater and television. A proven track record of achieving award nominations for performances in musicals and Shakespeare productions. Expertise in delivering innovative portrayals of characters with unique emotions and presence.

Physical Attributes

  • 5’8” Height
  • 135 Pounds
  • Green Eyes
  • Brown Hair
  • Soprano

Theater Experience

Les Miserables
Fantine
Philadelphia Theater Company
Macbeth
Lady Macbeth
Philadelphia Theater Company
Phantom of the Opera
Christine
Philadelphia Theater Company
Fiddler on the Roof
Golde
Media Theater
The Sound of Music
Maria von Trapp
Media Theater
Chicago
Velma Kelly
Hedgerow Theater
Romeo and Juliet
Juliet
Hedgerow Theater

 

Television Experience

Law and Order SVU
Forensic Expert
NBC Productions
Sweet Tooth
Nurse
Netflix Productions
The Good Doctor
Patient
NBC Productions

 

Awards

  • Nominated for Best Performance by a Leading Actress, Fantine, Tony Awards
  • Nominated for Best Performance by a Featured Actress, Velma Kelly, Tony Awards

Associations

  • Screen Actors Guild (SAG), Member, 2014 – Present

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) Theater
University of The Arts, Philadelphia, PA September 2010 – May 2014

Key Skills

  • Singing
  • Acting
  • Dancing
  • Team Collaboration
  • Leadership

Sarah Geller
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, New York, NY 12345

Profile

A dynamic actress with eight years of experience delivering award-worthy performances in a wide variety of Broadway productions. Expertise in utilizing a method acting approach to adopt authentic character personas. Achieved recognition for leading roles in the Wizard of Oz, Moulin Rouge! and Rent.

Physical Attributes

  • 5’7” Height
  • 129 Pounds
  • Hazel Eyes
  • Brunette Hair
  • Soprano

Theater Experience

Rent
Maureen
Lyric Theater
West Side Story
Graziella
Winter Garden Theater
Wizard of Oz
Dorothy
Gershwin Theater
Moulin Rouge!
Satine
Gershwin Theater
Sweeney Todd
Mrs. Lovett
New Amsterdam Theater
Grease
Sandy
Winter Garden Theater

 

Television Experience

You
Librarian
Netflix Productions
The Good Place
Flight Attendant
NBC Productions
This is Us
Nurse
NBC Productions

 

Awards

  • Best Performance by a Leading Actress, Satine, Tony Awards
  • Nominated for Best Performance by a Featured Actress, Maureen, Tony Awards

Associations

  • Screen Actors Guild (SAG), Member, 2013 – Present

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) Theater
Columbia University, New York, NY September 2009 – May 2013

Key Skills

  • Soprano Vocal Range
  • Singing
  • Method Acting
  • Dancing
  • Acrobatics

Raheem Sinclaire
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, New York, NY 12345

Profile

An award-winning theater actor with ten years of experience in film, musical theater, and television. Achieved recognition for a featured role in the Broadway production of Hamilton. An active member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and Actors’ Equity Association.

Physical Attributes

  • 5’11” Height
  • 175 Pounds
  • Blue Eyes
  • Brown Hair
  • Tenor

Theater Experience

Hamilton
Aaron Burr
Gershwin Theater
Jesus Christ Superstar
Judas
Lyric Theater
Les Miserables
Javert
New Amsterdam Theater
Rent
Tom Collins
Gershwin Theater
Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar
Winter Garden Theater
The Lion King
Scar
Lyric Theater
Hamlet
Laertes
New Amsterdam Theater

 

Film & Television Experience

True Detective
Police Officer
HBO Productions
Marvel’s Daredevil
Bartender
Netflix Productions
Julius Caesar Film
Brutus
Independent Film

 

Awards

  • Best Performance by a Featured Actor, Aaron Burr, Tony Awards
  • Nominated for Best Performance by a Featured Actor, Javert, Tony Awards

Associations

  • Screen Actors Guild (SAG), Member, 2012 – Present
  • Actors’ Equity Association, Member, 2011 – Present

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) Theater
American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York, NY September 2007 – May 2011

Key Skills

  • Tenor Vocal Range
  • Method Acting
  • Meisner Technique
  • Dancing
  • Team Collaboration

Frequently Asked Questions: TheaterResume Examples and Advice

How do you align your resume with a job description?+

The median income for theater actors was $46,960 in 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This industry is projected to grow by 8% over the next ten years, much higher than average. Competition for roles in prominent theater productions will always be high, and tailoring your resume toward individual casting calls can give you an advantage.
 
For example, if you’re seeking an audition in a Shakespeare production, you’d want to make a point to highlight your previous roles in his plays. If you’re pursuing a musical theater role that requires an advanced understanding of choreography, you’d want to feature these details in your opening summary. By aligning your resume with the casting call, you’ll significantly increase your chances of landing the interview.

What is the best theater resume format?+

Reverse chronological is the ideal format for theater resumes. This ensures that your most recent roles and performances are featured at the top of your document for casting directors. A functional resume format isn’t the best choice, even if you’re trying to break into the industry. In this instance, you’d still be better off highlighting your acting experience from college and high school rather than prioritizing skill sets.

Expert Advice: Include a cover letter with your resume

Sending a matching cover letter to talent agents and casting directors can be a helpful tool in securing auditions. This allows you to highlight your unique approach to acting, your passion for your craft, and who you are as a professional. If you write a cover letter, tailor it to individual auditions and directors. For more insights, visit our acting cover letter guide.

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Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).