An acting resume is a one-page document that describes your acting experience and acting-related skill set.

Depending on the circumstances, a resume could be your big shot at an introduction to a potential employer. Whether it’s an agent, casting director, studio executive, producer, or director reading over your work and experience history, it’s important to make this one count.

You don’t always need an acting resume for an acting audition, because oftentimes your representatives will be speaking with casting directors to secure you auditions and work. However, having a resume never hurts, especially when you’re independently applying to roles that require one.

It’s a great way to give someone looking to make a hire a quick snapshot of you and your work history and industry experience.

Here are the elements your acting resume must have if you want to make a good impression…

A basic layout means:

• One page maximum
• Resume attached or printed on the back of your headshot
• Clean, easy-to-read fonts (Helvetica, Arial, Times, etc.)

At the top of your résumé, include:

• Your name (large and bold)
• Phone number
• Email address
• Agent or manager’s contact info (if you have one)
• Website, IMDb link, or social media (optional, but useful)

These are commonly included for film and television, less so for theater. But they would include:

• Height
• Weight
• Hair color
• Eye color
• Union affiliation (SAG-AFTRA, AEA, or “Non-Union”)

If you have acting credits, organize them by category…

Film & Television

• Format: Title — Role — Director/Production Company
• Example: The Good Place — Co-Star — NBC

Theater

• Format: Play Title — Role — Theater/Company
• Example: Hamlet — Ophelia — Shakespeare & Co.

Commercials

• Usually listed as: “List Available Upon Request” (especially if you’ve done many)

List your education and relevant acting classes, like:

• Acting schools
• Workshops
• Coaches
• College degrees in theater or performance

Format each one like this:

• Format: Technique/Class – Instructor – School or Location

Highlight any unique, performance-related abilities. Be specific and honest. This could include:

• Dialects and accents
• Singing (include voice type if trained)
• Dance styles
• Musical instruments
• Stage combat or martial arts
• Languages
• Sports
• Other talents (juggling, improv, horseback riding, etc.)

Here are the most common mistakes to avoid when making your acting resume…

• Including Too Much or Irrelevant Info: Don’t list every project you’ve ever done — prioritize relevant and professional work.
• Lying or Exaggerating Credits: Casting directors do check. Listing fake roles, inflating your part (e.g., saying “Lead” when it was “Background”), or adding made-up projects can ruin your reputation.
• Using a Cluttered Resume Layout: Don’t get too crazy. Keep it simple. It’s about the info, not your design skills.
• Typos or Grammar Mistakes: Even small errors can make you seem careless. Use a tool like Grammarly.
• Listing “Extra” or “Background” Work as Acting Roles: Don’t include these unless you’re just starting out, but it’s still better to focus on student films or indie projects where you had a speaking role.
• Putting Headshot Info on the Resume: Don’t include your age or exact birthdate. Avoid phrases like “photogenic” or “attractive” — let the headshot speak for itself.
• Too Many “Special Skills” Without Substance: List only the special skills you can actually perform on demand.
• Not Tailoring the Résumé: If you’re auditioning for a musical theater role, highlight relevant singing/dancing experience. For film, emphasize on-camera training and screen work.

If you’re new to acting and don’t yet have professional experience, you can still create a strong, professional résumé that highlights your potential and passion.

Include the elements we covered in the previous section — especially the basic layout, contact info, and physical stats.

For the acting credits section, list any relevant performance experience you have, like roles in school plays, community theater, student films, or online content like well-produced YouTube sketches. Even if these weren’t paid or professional jobs, they still show initiative and performance experience.

For the training section, showcase any acting-related education you’ve received. This might be drama classes, acting workshops, improv training, voice coaching, or even dance and movement instruction.

Lastly, for the special skills section (very important for beginners), include accents, foreign languages, singing, musical instruments, dance styles, stage combat, sports, or unusual skills like juggling or roller skating. Only list skills you’re confident in demonstrating on the spot.

Optionally, you can include a one-line objective or summary statement at the top of your résumé to give a clear snapshot of who you are, like:

“Aspiring actor with a background in theater and improv, eager to grow in film and television roles.”

Below you can see an acting resume template.

If you need this as a downloadable template, click here for the downloadable Word Doc version.

Below are a couple of acting resumes we really like.

Notice how they’re neatly organized, with separate sections for different types of credits, education, and special skills.

You’ll also notice that these resumes include different info sections and have different formats. That’s great!

You’re not a cookie-cutter actor, and your resume shouldn’t be, either.

Courtesy of Sarah Halford.

Courtesy of Matthew Gerrish.