Recently I’ve come across multiple students looking to write a performance resume, but struggling to write one successfully. Well, struggle no more because the information I’m giving you will get you started with a running resume that is clean and easy to navigate.
Ready, Set, Go!
Lets start with our header section.
Here is the information you will need:
A. Name – (This is your professional name: can include your middle name. E.g. Chelsea Nicole Smith or Chelsea Smith)
B. The position/s this resume is for – Actor/Model/Soprano
C. Contact information – email, phone number, optional address, and/or website
D. Body type – (note: this information is needed for everything but classical and collegiate applications) height, birthdate or age, hair, and eye color.
The following are a couple of header examples:
Note: this example does not include the contact information. However, the contact information for this resume is listed at the bottom and will be included in my footer examples.
Jarvis Dwayne Smith
Tenor/Model/Actor
Age: 14 Height: 5’ 10”
Hair: Blonde Eye Color: Light Blue
-
Note: In this instance, I can interchange my website for my email. Also, there is a divider line that separates the logistical information from the following experience section.
Chelsea Nicole Smith
Soprano
23345 Deertrail – Alpharetta, GA 30004 – (870) 208-3409 – csmith3409@gmail.com
Including an Objective.
You can have an objective if your resume is not long enough. I currently do not include one on my performance resume, but the following is an example from my professional resume. The objective can be included directly under the header.
OBJECTIVE
I am a vocal educator with performance and teaching experience in classical and popular genres. As an experienced performer in diverse genres, with a strong sense of personal responsibility, positive outlook, and intuitive problem resolution, I provide strong mentorship and teaching grounded in solid and healthy vocal technique and pedagogy.
The Experience Section
1. I prefer to divide this section into columns. The easiest way to explain is to give an example. Starting with the title of Roles/Performing Experience:
-
Role Name
-
The Opera/Piece name
-
Where it was performed
-
Date (Month/Year)
ROLES
Zerbinetta Ariadne Auf Naxos Land of Enchantment Opera Summer 2013
2. The next section will be formatted the same way with the following categories:
-
Scenes
-
Competitions
-
Training Programs
-
Musical Theater
-
Chorus
-
Dance
-
Oratorio
-
Special Events (such as singing the National Anthem at Football Games)
-
Plays
TRAINING PROGRAMS
Dance Jazz With Whom How Long?
COMPETITIONS
1st Place Winner What you sang/performed What Competition? When?
Encouragement Award Grossmächtige Prinzessin District Met Competition 2014
The Skills Section
Depending on whether or not you have room, you may insert a skills section. The following are suggestions:
-
Guitar/Ukulele – other instruments
-
Honors Chorus/Voice Lessons,
-
Dialects – British/Australian/Baby Cry
-
Magic Tricks
-
Gymnastics
-
Foreign Languages and how long you’ve been speaking it
-
Anything extra that might be of use in a show
SKILLS
Guitar – 3 years, Ukulele – 1 year, Honors Chorus, British Dialect, Italian, Spanish, Gymnastics, Tap and Jazz – 5 years, Improvisational Acting – 1 year, Stage Combat – 2 years
The Columns of 5
The next section is specifically designed to identify your artistic affiliates. The column listings will be divided into sections of:
-
Coaches
-
Conductors
-
Directors
-
Masterclasses
-
Vocal Instructors
The following is an example from my resume:
COACHES/STAGE DIRECTORS/INSTRUCTORS
Maestro Fred Scott (stylistic) Carroll Freeman, GSU Opera Kay Paschal (11-Present)
Copeland Woodruff (acting) Martha Collins , Sarasota Opera Jane Munson-Berg (06-10)
Julian Reed, Julliard School
MASTERCLASSES/CONDUCTORS
Yang Yi (Renmin University, China) Maestro Steven Crawford, Metropolitan Opera
Fredrica von Stade Maestro Michael Palmer, Georgia State University
Maestro Joseph Rescigno, La Musica Lirica, Italy
Note: The vocal instructor section will need to include the length of your course of study. I have listed where my conductors and directors are associated for the benefit of the auditioner. There are NO MORE than 5 names in each column.
Resume Footer
On the bottom of your resume, be sure to include a divider line to compliment the header you did at the beginning. I am including the appropriate footers to match the two examples noted earlier.
1.
Address – 404-348-3338 – Email
2.
www.chelseansmith.com
Headshot Notes
Get a headshot that is 8×10! You will want to attach it.
-
For musical theater, use a staple.
-
If for classical, use a paper clip.
-
The way you attach your headshot gives you away. For acting and modeling, bring a manila folder and place both your resume and headshots in it.
-
Label the back of the headshot with a label that includes your – Name, Email, and Phone Number
Now you have all of the information you need to create your Best Performance Resume! Feel free to post questions in the comments section! Your teachers also know how resumes should be organized and can advise you accordingly. If you would like, feel free to visit my website to look at my resume as a reference point. www.chelseansmith.com
All my best!!
Contributed by:
Chelsea Nicole Smith
Vocal Pedagogue and Piano Instructor, MMM
M.M., Georgia State University
B.M.E., Evangel University