Writing a Resume

[Roxie]

Posted: 7/28/04 at 11:59am

I'm starting to write a resume for auditions and was wondering if anyone knows of a website that gives information on this. I guess if anyone has any info themselves it would be great too. Thanks Updated On: 7/28/04 at 11:59 AM

[PJ]

Posted: 7/28/04 at 12:02pm

I can't answer you're question b/c I was wondering the same thing? How do you write a resume of shows that you have appeared in?

[Roxie]

Posted: 7/28/04 at 12:04pm

Yeah that's exactly what I wan to know....I know that you need to include shows and training but how I dont' know.

[judy_in_disguise]

Posted: 7/28/04 at 12:28pm

for shows make a chart
i.e.
Date Production Role Company
Jan 2010 Hussies! Julky Hussy Hussy Productions Inc.

but format it so it all lines up (this stupid post won't let me do that)
you can include the director in this chart if you wish, between Role and Company.
List your credits (if you have a lot just put the important ones, and write "selected credits) at the top, and training at the bottom (break that off into Dance/ Music/ Acting).
Then list special skills, awards, blah blah blah. Updated On: 7/28/04 at 12:28 PM

[ShineOn]

Posted: 7/28/04 at 12:49pm

Look at a professional's resume...

http://www.donnalynnechamplin.com/resume.htm

That's Donna Lynne's... maybe that'll help you a bit. You can switch around the show and role columns, but that'll give you a good idea. :)

[Roxie]

Posted: 7/28/04 at 1:30pm

thanks guys

[PJ]

Posted: 7/28/04 at 1:32pm

Yup. Thanks.

[nycdncr]

Posted: 7/28/04 at 9:20pm

You can check out the web version of my resume for an example. It's a pretty standard New York style resume.

http://www.geocities.com/fosseboy78/Matthew_J__Kilgore_-_resume.html

[Amneris]

Posted: 7/28/04 at 9:52pm

just a few tips about resumes..never put your HOME ADDRESS on your resume in case you lose it or the auditor accidently loses your headshot..ive heard horror stories about people being robbed or harrassed due to this minor accident... also, I was told by Alix Korey to never put your age on your resume unless asked. You can put an age range if you are submitting for a certain role but, then they might just toss you in a certain "type" pile... also... never put "Scenes" youve done as a role... because you might be questioned about the role in its whole form (you may however list those things if you need to build your credits) as "REHERSAL PROJECTS". Updated On: 7/28/04 at 09:52 PM

[shesings]

Posted: 7/28/04 at 9:56pm

it is also not necesary to put the date of your performance. in general the format is:
show, role, location (theatre group, school name, etc)

for example:

Grease Jan XYZ Theatre Company

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 7/29/04 at 1:08am

nycdncr, you're en pointe and you're male?
I'd hire you

Posted: 7/29/04 at 1:17am

0oo0 nycdncr i have your phone number now... i think ill call you....

[JC14]

Posted: 7/29/04 at 10:21am

This may be fine for a college audition, but in general, I would recommend not putting height or weight on your resume as it can type you out. For example if you put on your resume that you're 5'2 and the casting director only wants to see females 5'5 and over you'll be completely typed out and would not even be considered for the role even if it's completely right for you.

[nycdncr]

Posted: 7/29/04 at 11:27am

For your information, I've been in NYC for nearly 4 years and have worked constantly. Not trying to sound conceited, but it's the truth. Height and weight (while not mandatory) are things casting people need to know....especially for ensemble tracks where you would most likely be replacing someone the exact same height, weight, and type as you. Binder Casting even has a space for it on their personal audition cards.

I don't appreciate the comment 'this may be fine for a college audition'. I am a working professional, and my resume format seems to be suiting me fine.

Besides....if a casting director is looking for someone 5'5", and a person who is 5'2" shows up in the same line with people 5'5" and above, chances are you're gonna get cut anyway. A 3 inch height difference is pretty obvious regardless if your height is on your resume or not.

Updated On: 7/29/04 at 11:27 AM

[WOSQ]

Posted: 7/29/04 at 11:41am

Lots of white space in the margins so they can make notes.

Use only star/name directors like :
ANYTHING GOES w/Ginger Rogers Dir: Harold Prince
Westbury Music Fair

Not every person who plays a lead is a star. I'm sure many directors are good, but if nobody knows who they are, the casting people really don't care. There isn't time to care.

Don't lie if it can be found out too easily. Nobody is going to check on what roles you played in college unless its Yale or Juilliard. List credits in order of importance, size of role, and location. Off-Broadway, especially conspicuous Off Bway trumps out-of-town every time. Most recent, most recognizable and/or biggest/best come first. Broadway, Off-Broadway, tours, regional, stock, other more or less. You'll have to weigh Hamlet in Paducah against Cats at Paper Mill.

Give them something to talk about. One woman years ago interviewed with us and had a small role in a flop directed by George S. Kaufman. We asked her and she apologised saying her role had been written out pre-Broadway and that she ought to leave it off since she was 16 at the time and this was about 30 years later. We said no, no, because it was interesting to meet someone who had worked with the great Mr. Kaufman. Make sure there is one oddity buried way down there. I remember a play called "Life is a Bag of Sh_t" or something like that done waaay Off Bway, and you bet we remembered it and the actor.

Above all--make it easy to read: margins, indentations, extra spaces, use caps at times. Ask your friends to look at it and if they can't readily read it, no one else can.