Getting a foothold in Hollywood can be exciting but also challenging. To stand out, you need to have a great acting resume. It’s more than just a list of past roles. It’s your opportunity to show casting directors why you’re a strong candidate for the part. A solid resume communicates your training, talent, and passion — all at a glance.

This guide was created to help you build an acting resume that makes an impact. From organizing your experiences to highlighting your training and skills, you’ll find practical suggestions to shape a resume that supports your path ahead in the industry.

Gather Your Experience

Your resume should reflect your personal journey in acting. Whether you’re just starting out or building on a few years of experience, every relevant performance counts. Here are areas you can include in your resume:

1. Theater Productions: Stage work—whether from school, regional, or community performances—provides a great foundation. Even smaller roles demonstrate your early interest, dedication, and growth. Be sure to include the production name, your role, the theater company, and any notable directors or productions.

2. Film and Television: List any roles you’ve had in short films, independent features, student films, or professional sets. Television credits, no matter how brief, show you’ve had on-camera experience. These details are important for showing your range and professionalism.

3. Commercials: While these roles are often not broken down in detail due to contractual reasons, it’s a good idea to include commercials in a general category. They display your versatility and ease in front of the camera.

4. Ongoing Classes and Workshops: If you’re currently enrolled in acting classes or workshops, list them. Ongoing education shows you’re dedicated to improving and staying active in the craft. Make sure the names of studios or instructors are included.

The goal is to build a clear picture of your experience so casting professionals have a sense of your journey and how you’ve committed to your development through various projects.

Showcase Your Training

Training tells directors, casting agents, and producers that you’ve put real effort into developing your talent. That effort can carry as much weight as on-set experience.

List the acting studios, schools, or conservatories you’ve attended. Be specific with names—it helps industry professionals connect you to known institutions or instructors. For instance, if you studied at Michelle Danner Acting Studio in Los Angeles, that is a valuable credential to include right away.

Do not forget acting coaches you’ve worked with privately. One-on-one coaching shows initiative and dedication to personalized growth.

Also include any specialized techniques or methods in your training. Examples include:

• Meisner Technique: Known for its emphasis on truthful responses through emotional preparation and repetition exercises.
• Stanislavski Method: Focuses on building characters based on personal experiences and motivations.
• Stella Adler Technique: Encourages imagination and analysis to understand and portray characters deeply.

Understanding and applying these methods reflects your depth as a performer. Listing them demonstrates your versatility and readiness for a variety of acting styles.

Tailor Your Resume For Each Audition

A great acting resume isn’t something you build once and forget. Each audition asks for something slightly different, so updating and adjusting your resume is key. This small extra step can often make a difference.

Study the role for which you’re auditioning. Are they looking for subtle, emotional performances, or something more comedic and physical? Use that information to reorder or emphasize pieces of your experience that match.

Here are ideas to get started:

• Lead with your most relevant experience for the role.
• Group together roles that fit the tone of the production.
• Place related training near the top of your resume, within reach of the reader’s eye.
• Showcase audition-specific skills such as accents, stunts, or improvisation.

Adjusting your resume isn’t about hiding anything. It’s about giving casting professionals a quick, clear path to the qualifications they’re seeking. It shows that you’re intentional in your preparation and serious about the role.

Add Special Skills And Awards

Your resume is also a space to highlight what makes you uniquely qualified and interesting to cast. A well-crafted special skills section can make your profile more memorable.

Some skills to consider including:

• Languages you speak fluently.
• Accents or dialects you perform confidently.
• Music skills such as singing or playing an instrument.
• Athletic skills like gymnastics, martial arts, or horseback riding.
• Stage combat or movement training.
• Dance experience in various styles.

Awards are worth noting too—even local festival or school recognitions. Label them clearly, such as “Best Supporting Actor – Regional One-Act Festival” or “Outstanding Performance – University Theater Showcase.”

Avoid listing generic hobbies or vague items. Focus on skills that could reasonably appear in a role or enhance a production.

Ready To Impress?

Your acting resume is your calling card. It should speak clearly and professionally about your commitment to the craft. By assembling your experiences, showcasing your training, tailoring your content, and presenting your special skills, you will give casting teams every reason to notice your potential.

Still feel unsure about how to put it all together? Professional support can make the difference. Working with an experienced acting coach in Los Angeles can help you shape your resume so it speaks directly to the industry and the roles you’re seeking. Acting requires confidence, and that confidence begins on the page—make sure your resume works as hard as you do.

If you’re putting together your resume and want feedback from a professional eye, working with an experienced acting coach in Los Angeles can help you figure out what to highlight and how to shape your path forward. The team at Michelle Danner Acting Studio is here to support your growth every step of the way.