Q&A for How to Create Your Acting Resume

Have the confidence to know that if your agent didn't think you could handle the audition, they would not have proposed you for the part! Do your best!

There are lots of different ways people become actors. Most people go through some kind of training (college or other acting programs), put together a resume and a headshot, and take auditions until they land a role. Getting an agent can help you find more acting experience to fill out your resume and get you noticed.

Usually 60-90 seconds (2 minutes max). Only include your strongest material. 3 clips that are great will have a better impact than 5 clips that are not as great, even if the reel is shorter.

If you are underage, you'll need the support and help of your parents to be a successful actor. Talk to them about why it is important to you and ask if you can participate in local community theater at first.

There is no age limit. It is probably best to just have one no matter what your age is so that if the need arises, you have it on hand.

Yes, you should still include any training you've had, your educational background and even your goals and aspirations.

You have to try to stand out and impress the directors, but it's totally possible. Everyone starts somewhere!

Everyone has to start somewhere, and most directors for smaller productions (i.e. community theatre productions, advertising, open call auditions, etc.) aren't looking for extensive experience, especially when working with children. Focus on your training (even just drama classes at school) and skills instead.

You are more likely to be chosen if the people holding auditions know that you have been in a production before, and it will help you to hone your craft if you have a few performances under your belt, but it's not usually a requirement. That's why they have everyone audition.

Keep track of it, and turn it in at auditions. You will have to update it after each show, however.

Most audition pieces aren't written by the actor, but rather are from movies, TV shows, and plays. There are lots of monologue databases on the Internet; just Google 'monologues' and practice several different types to see which best suit you.

You can type it on a computer to make it look professional.

You can definitely include them, because it shows you've had experience being in front of a camera. However, if you have experience doing scripted work, it's better to include that over unscripted work.

Yes! If you have any other experience I suggest you list it above that of the amateur dramatics, but it still shows you are capable of working with a cast and learning scripts, and that you are dedicated to becoming an actor.

Audition pieces are selections of music or monologues from other plays, musicals, films, etc. that you perform in front of the directors (or other people running the auditions). You don't create it yourself, but you choose it for yourself.

A lack of experience isn't a good thing, so you'll want to rectify that first. Look up open call auditions in your area and, poof, you'll have experience!

Make sure you're genuine and don't tell lies because they might ask you to do those skills or check to see if you really had those parts.

If you have done something you think may catch the client's eye, go in order of importance. Otherwise, chronological order is fine.

It depends! You should not put a school play on a professional resume, like if you're applying for jobs in Hollywood or on Broadway, but for a local theater production, it's fine to put school plays on your resume.

First try thinking of anything related to it. Some examples could be having recorded/filmed videos, helped create a set for a play, taken an art class, participating in writing competitions, etc. Then list general things, such as group affiliations like FCCLA or FBLA, volunteer experience, any work history, and positive references.

Being on camera usually means a video shown publicly. Just being recorded doesn't really count.

If she says no, at least you tried. There's no real harm in asking.

Then begin by starring in plays that are more small-scale and local, and don't require you to have an acting resume. Once you have starred in a plentiful amount, you can begin to add to your resume from there.

None at all, really! While theater experience is a plus, you don't necessarily need it to star on the silver screen.

You can, no guarantee it will be taken as a big accomplishment. It depends on how involved you were, if you had a big part in any productions, etc.

About 1-2 minutes. Different directors like different things. Some prefer you sing without music, and some prefer you sing with an accompaniment. Ask the director so you will be sure what is required.

Never apologize. Be yourself. Never talk when the director is talking. Project your voice while you're singing and reading lines. If there's dancing involved, be confident and have a good time with it. Stand out from the others.

That mus be incredibly awkward. If you are comfortable with a stage name then go for it. It will likely make things a lot easier and you won't need to make constant explanations or excuses.

Write a letter if you can. This always helps! If you’re too shy to write a letter, just act as if you’re writing a letter to your inner soul, but give it to your parents. However, being too shy isn't going to be helpful when you're acting, so perhaps this is a good first try of acting brave and actually letting them know.

If you took any acting classes or performed in any plays or musicals, then you can put those in your resume. You can also put in other skills such as singing and dancing. If you haven’t participated in anything acting related, try finding and acting class near you and/or audition for a local theatre program to begin your acting career.