Sample Performing Arts Resume

Aside from your skills and talents, performing arts resumes offer the chance to have an edge over other artists who are waiting for that huge break. Create one that highlights your skills, achievements, and everything else that can prove your worth. You can achieve this by using a resume template.

Earnings vary greatly when it comes to performing arts. In the music industry, for instance, Payscale shows that hourly rates can range anywhere from $15 to $105. Annual salaries can be as low as $22,000 or as high as over $200,000.

However, as we all know, many personalities earn as much as millions for a one-night performance. Many of them started with endless auditions. A lot of them looked through performing arts resume templates to create their own impressive professional resume, too.

Your talent, passion, and commitment play a large role for you to become successful. But you need to get one foot inside the door. You can start with a resume template and work from there.

Additional Information About the Performing Arts Resume

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics mentions that the performing arts sector includes positions of actual performers and those who work behind the scenes. You can work for a private company or independently.

Here are the top performing arts jobs with their mean hourly and annual rates.

While some of the rates above may seem lower than you expected, hard work and determination will take you closer to your dreams. Remember, many of the world’s best artists today started from the bottom.

This also proves the importance of a professional resume. Most entertainment employers are too busy to speak to all applicants. Think about all these talent shows and auditions. There are so many individuals wanting to show off their talent and skills! In real life, these companies don’t even have time to hold an audition every day.

It is through your theater resume or acting resume that you can show them you deserve to be spoken to. You deserve an audition or an interview.

Example of a Performing Arts Resume

How to Make a Performing Arts Resume

A resume for performing arts positions depends greatly on the actual job you are applying for. You will find different resume templates for theater resume, acting resume, and other resume templates. Resume highlights vary since you will be focusing on different items.

We highly recommend using a resume template or builder. You may check out our resume templates that can serve as your guide. This way, you won’t miss out on the most important details. At the same time, you can be sure your theater resume is organized and would look as professional as possible.

When creating an acting or theater resume, no matter what position you are applying for, here are some general rules and tips to keep in mind.

1. Use the correct format and layout for your theater resume.

Make sure you’re reading the job description carefully. Customize your resume so that it matches the relevant abilities and requirements as stated in the job ad.

Many employers and hiring managers use keywords to filter out resumes being submitted to them. Use these keywords wisely so your resume can get on top of the pile.

The Layout of the Performing Arts Resume

In the performing arts, your work experience matters. Therefore, it would be ideal to use the reverse-chronological format that lets you highlight your most recent work experience first.

However, once again, it’s important to focus on the job description. Sometimes, companies are looking for fresh faces and new talents. Those without experience can also get huge breaks. Make sure your skills are highlighted on your resume too.

Read and understand the job description. Identify the major skills and requirements mentioned in the ad. Use your best judgment to decide which items on your performing arts resume should go first.

Use arts resume templates or a resume builder that can serve as your guide to ensure your resume is organized.

The Structure of the Performing Arts Resume

The functional and combination layouts are two of the most common structures you can also use for your theater resume.

If you don’t have plenty of experience yet, it is best to use the functional layout as it lets you focus on your abilities.

However, if you have both skills and experience, then you can use the combination layout. It combines the best parts of the reverse-chronological and functional layouts for your resume. Check out our resume examples to see the difference between these layouts.

Here are the major sections you can include in your theatre resume.

Start With the Header of the Performing Arts Resume

Every resume begins with a header section. While other jobs just simply need your name and some contact details, your theater resume may include more than just those.

If you will be working behind the scenes, your resume header should include your name, phone number, location, and email address.

For performing arts resumes for actual performers, you may include personal details such as the ones mentioned above and your website or a link to your portfolio. Optional details you can add include your date of birth, height, weight, eye color, hair color, and so on. You can, however, skip these details if the job description doesn’t specifically require a certain look or appearance for the job.

Example of a Good Header for Performing Arts

Example of a Bad Header for Performing Arts

Is a Photo Required in the Performing Arts Resume?

Did you know that the majority of U.S. hiring managers do not consider applications that come with photos? Some say that this is a great way to prevent discrimination while others say that photos on resumes are simply outdated. After all, appearance should have nothing to do with career success.

However, when it comes to your theater resume, especially if you are looking for theater jobs and other on-screen jobs, it is most ideal to include an image on your resume.

It is best to keep your resume photo professional. Yes, even if you are applying for a performer position. You must be wearing something formal. The picture should be front-facing and ideally taken by a professional. Keep the background neutral, too. This is not a great time to share selfies you took in a bar or the beach.

If a certain appearance or look is required for the job, you can simply attach more photos separately along with your resume and cover letter. Alternatively, you can inform the employer that you have pictures available on your website.

Choosing your Performing Arts Title

Your title can be creative or you can also go for something simple and straightforward. The actual title depends on the position you are applying for, your experience, skills you excel in, or the career you want to pursue.

For example, you can simply write “Theater Actress” or “Vocalist.”

Professional Summary for Performing Arts

An impressive resume summary briefly explains your professional experience in the performing arts field. This is usually placed on top of a full page resume so it must be written carefully. Do your best to make it as exceptional as possible.

Remember, you haven’t even done any audition or interview at this point. You might have the perfect look or talent for the actor job. But right now, you must catch the employer’s attention first through your resume. So make sure that your professional summary is eye-catching enough.

Here is a correct example of a professional summary.

Here is an incorrect example of a professional summary.

Tip: If you don’t have plenty of experiences yet, you can highlight your skills and talents instead. Especially if they are required for the position or role you are applying for, then these would be great to include on your resume. Alternatively, you can use a resume objective that briefly explains your passion and career goals.

Work Experience in the Performing Arts Resume

Professional experience plays a major role when you’re pursuing a performing arts career. This shows that you are skilled and talented enough. Since your resume is a mere document, your experience can give the employer a background of what you can do and what you have already done as a performer.

Describe Your Professional Experiences on Your Performing Arts Resume

When listing your career background or work history in your resume, include the position or role you played, the company name, dates of employment, and a brief description of the job. You can list your responsibilities or the role description using bullet points.

It is most ideal to include work experiences that are relevant to the job description. For example, if you want to become a singer, include your experience in that field. It is okay to leave out other work experiences not related to the job.

If you have achievements and awards, it is best to include them in your work professional experience section too.

Examples of Professional Experiences for Performing Arts Beginner/Junior

Examples of Work Experience for Senior Performing Arts

Education in the Performing Arts Resume

Although a bachelor’s degree is not usually required for on-screen roles, your education section must still be added to your resume. When writing your educational background, include the name of your diploma or course, school or university, location, and years attended. You can also write awards and academic achievements, if any.

Should You Start With Education or Work Experience in the Performing Arts Resume?

On a performing arts resume, your work experience ideally goes before your education section. However, you must pay attention to the job description, too.

For example, if you are applying to become part of an orchestra and you have a bachelor’s or master degree in music, then it would be great to write your education section before your professional experience.

However, if you have plenty of impressive work experience, stick to writing them before your educational background.

How to Properly List Your Education in a Performing Arts Resume?

As earlier mentioned, the education section should include the name of your school or college, location, degree earned, as well as the years you’ve attended the school.

Example of the Education Section of a Performing Arts

Skills to Put in the Resume for a Performing Arts

Perhaps all performing arts resume examples you will find include a dedicated section. Your skills, knowledge, and talents play a vital role in this kind of career. So make sure you emphasize them on your resume so you can get more interviews.

What Are the Main Skills Sought for in a Performing Arts Resume

Depending on the position or role you are applying for, the skills you need to include on your resume varies. We understand that you might be incredibly talented and have all the abilities in the world. While you can include all of them, it is still ideal to just write the ones most relevant to the job description.

We couldn’t emphasize more the importance of this section. So make sure that you are highlighting your abilities well on your performing arts resume. Use a resume builder as a guide so they are organized.

Here are some examples of hard skills that are ideal for performers.

While not necessary for on-screen or stage actors and performers, you can also include some soft skills. Soft skills are especially important if you are applying for positions that work behind the scenes. Here are some examples.

What Skills for a Junior Performing Artist

Here are some examples of skills you can add as a junior in performing arts.

What Skills for a Qualified Senior Performing Artist

Write the Ideal Resume Hook for a Performing Arts Resume

A hook is a short statement, testimonial, quote, a quick review, or personal description. This is another opportunity to catch the attention of a potential employer.

Example of a Tagline for a Junior Employee

High school theater club president now taking on the real world by pursuing a stage acting career.

Sample Tagline for a Senior Level

Multi-awarded and multi-nominated actor for roles in theater such as Anne Frank and Death of a Salesman.

Additional Headings for Your Performing Arts Resume

If you have other skills and plenty more to share on your resume, you still have an opportunity to do so in the additional headings. These headings are optional but can be useful especially if you have plenty of items you’d like employers or casting managers to know about you.

Once again, make sure they’re related to the job description.

Computer Skills and Certifications in a Performing Arts Resume

Since a typical theater resume doesn’t include this, one might think that computer abilities don’t matter at all when it comes to performing arts. While that may be true to some extent, it wouldn’t be a disadvantage at all to have some computer skills such as the following.

Interests in a Performing Arts Resume

This is another optional section you can add to your resume. In fact, many would just choose to skip the interests section as it can be inconvenient and irrelevant. However, if you have interests related to the job post, then you should add it.

For instance, if you’re applying for an actor role for a primarily beach setting movie, you can include interests such as swimming, surfing, kayaking, and fishing among others. These interests might help you play a better role for the movie over other actors.

Languages in a Performing Arts Resume

Bilingual or multilingual individuals definitely have space to shine in performing arts. If you speak more than one language, include this section on your resume. You can indicate the level of fluency or any certifications you have as well. A resume template can guide you when writing these.

Here are some examples.

Summary: Key Points for Writing a Perfect Performing Arts Resume

Here are some of the tips you should keep in mind when writing your resume.

1. Make sure your contact details are clear and updated.

Follow the correct format, structure, and layout for your resume.

Include primary sections such as the header, professional summary, work experience, education section, skills, and other additional sections.

Write a cover letter and attach this to your resume.

Write a Cover Letter That Goes With Your Performing Arts Resume

Cover letters aren’t really required for applications. But it is always best to create one and attach it to your resume submission. This shows your genuine interest in the job.

This is also your chance to personalize your application further. Cover letters offer an opportunity for you to introduce yourself to potential employers and directors from the industry on a deeper level.

Frequently Asked Questions for a Performing Arts Resume

How do I write a performing arts resume?

It is ideal to use a resume builder or performing arts resume templates when writing your resume. These will serve as your guide to ensure all important details are included.

How do you list performances on a resume?

You can list your performances on the work experience of your resume. It is best to include the role you played and the dates applicable. Use arts resume templates, which can help you list them down properly.

What should a performing arts CV include?

Your performing arts CV should include your name, contact information, professional summary, work experiences, education section, skills, and other additional sections. Use a resume template that can serve as your guide.

What skills do you gain from performing arts?

People working in the performing arts industry gain a lot of skills over the years through experience. These include talents like singing or dancing and other soft skills like confidence, determination, and the ability to focus.