Writing a Resume

Hey Everyone,

I've been going for a few auditions of late, and I never know what to give to the panel when they ask for a resume.

I've already got a day job, but I consider musical theatre as one of my hobbies and passions.

The only thing is, I don't have any previous experience in musical theatre, so what do I put on my resume?? I haven't even had any formal singing tuition or dancing tuition.

Seems pointless giving them my existing resume which is basically a run down of all the jobs I've had (not related to performing arts!)

I'd suggest putting in all the amateur shows you've done - they count as experience! And even if you haven't had formal training, you can put down other skills - if you like crafts (e.g. sewing, knitting, even if you mend a couple of socks at home, if you have typing skills, whatever) then that can be used at some point in a show. You have no idea how many companies ask their cast to help out with tech stuff.

And if you still have nothing to put on it, then go do some volunteer work with professional companies or festivals, or do some amatuer roles, so that you can put the experience on your resume. And take some classes too!

aeva wrote:
>
> I've been going for a few auditions of late, and I never know
> what to give to the panel when they ask for a resume.
> I've already got a day job, but I consider musical theatre as
> one of my hobbies and passions.
> The only thing is, I don't have any previous experience in
> musical theatre, so what do I put on my resume?? I haven't
> even had any formal singing tuition or dancing tuition.
> Seems pointless giving them my existing resume which is
> basically a run down of all the jobs I've had (not related to
> performing arts!)



You're right, when they ask for your 'resume' they're really only interested in your relevant experience, not your work history.

If you've done amateur shows or anything at school, that's still relevant. List the play title & playwright, company that put the show on & director, the character you played, and the year of the production.

If you've taken any classes, that's relevant. (ie: did Andy Fraser's stage combat course - 8 week basic certificate, or tap dancing lessons in highschool...)

I wouldn't go overboard listing hobbies unless you think they are particularly relevant...ballroom dancing, for instance, or gymnastic skills...

If you have musical skills, list all of those (ie: learned the flute - 3 years. Can play piano- a bit)...

You might also list skills like: can sing a capella, good at harmonies, usually an alto range, can read music, learn dance steps easily....
Or preferences...prefer chorus work to solo singing; would like to have a go at choreography...

Also a bit of CV about yourself...age, height, size, hair colour, etc.

All of this might be relevant and I suggest you tailor-make each 'resume' for the part you're going for...an amateur company would be interested in some details that a professional commercial wouldn't care about.


Don't apologise or feel bad for it being short. Better to be clear, concise, well-arranged and short than being padded out with details that are going to waste the reader's time and make you look like you don't know what you're doing.


Cheers
Craig

Hi Aeva,

Yes to everything Craig has said. Be honest. Be brief. Dot-points (or a list) is easy for the audition panel to assess. If they want to know more, they'll ask you.

Your Resume might contain the info under the following headings:

NAME
DoB
Contact details

Personal info (as per Craig's notes) -- a recent colour photo of yourself, head & shoulders, 15cm X 10cm might help, too.

Education

Music education

Additional (specific) education (e.g.: dance / voice)

Performance experience
Date / Show / Company / Character

Production experience
Date / show / Company / Department

- - - - -

Join a local company and get some exposure. It all helps.

Good luck,
Russell

aeva,

will just add one more thing. from experience, i find that agents, casting directors, et al will prefer black and white photos. looks a bit classier and shows up your highlights better, whereas with colour, blemishes and bad texture or acne or just a bad lighting can stand out a lot more. no offence to russell. the way he's set it out is best in resume. and don't worry too much - at an audition it's all about your talent and look there and then. however, a decent photo never went astray in the choice of whose seen.

mick

Ta Mick,

No offence taken. Happy to be of help to Aeva; and others who may stumble across the tips.

Cheers,
Russell

Thanks to all who responded..

With regards to the black and white head shots... does anyone know of someone who takes this kind of photo in Perth, and for a reasonable price?

Some names would be a big help!

Cheers!

aeva

there are people who do this. the price range varies. however, i recommend that you talk to a couple of agents in town(theatrical not modelling) and ask them if they can tell you who they go through. a lot of agents have a specific way that they like shots to be done, so rather than waste time and lots of money finding it out the hard way, as i have done in the past, get it straight from the horses mouth. each agent will tell you a photographer they use and from there you can suss out the price ranges and what you can afford. and the agents, if you haven't got one, won't mind you doing this i'm sure.

mick, his best side