Theater Resume | Example and Writing Tips

Text Format

RESUME SUMMARY

Performing Arts graduate with 4+ years of experience in theater management, arts administration, and acting. Seeking to leverage educational background and progressive experience to excel further in the performing arts industry.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Theater Stage Director
Chapter University, Orange, CA / September 2018–present

Support the Production Manager in coordinating stage activities, including directing the production staff, organizing rehearsals, and guiding the actors during rehearsals
Carefully read and analyzed 50+ scripts to provide recommendations for improvements
Collaborate closely with the operations manager, designers, musical director, choreographer, and video director to execute successful 20+ events
Oversee and manage team of 15 interns, assigning duties and providing guidance as needed
Manage travel and expense reports for department team members

Actor/Vocalist
Seaworld Parks & Entertainment, Orlando, FL / June 2016–August 2018

Delivered exceptional service as an actor and vocalist in 3–5 shows daily, performing in a parade in various character costumes
Assisted in the day-to-day activities of the assigned show, while working closely with cast/crew and management to ensure the show’s success
Studied and rehearsed roles from scripts to interpret and memorize lines
Received numerous awards for exceptional performance

SKILLS

Theater Operations
Public Speaking
Communication Skills
Acting
Stage Management
Team Leadership
Presentation Skills

EDUCATION

BA Performing Arts
Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles, CA
May 2016
Honors: cum laude (GPA: 3.8/4.0)

How to Write a Theater Resume

Learning how to put together a resume for the specific job(s) you want will help you land more interviews.

When applying for theater jobs, emphasize your past experience, including any performances you’ve participated in, roles you’ve played, and any relevant responsibilities. If you don’t have relevant work experience, highlight amateur productions you’ve taken part in and relevant experience from school.

1. Highlight your theater skills

If you’ve developed onstage or backstage theater skills, the skills section of your resume is where you emphasize them. Skills sections are short and list your most relevant skills.

The skills you emphasize may differ if you’re applying for a performing role or a technical position. Some skills you may want to list include performance-related skills like:

acting
singing
dancing

or technical skills such as:

props
costumes
lighting
technology

Other skills that apply to both onstage and backstage roles include:

Depending on the position you’re applying for, the skills section is a great way to highlight talents that you’ll display in full force during an audition.

2. Choose the optimal resume format

If you have a lot of experience working in theaters, use a chronological resume format. A chronological resume allows you to showcase your most recent theater work, and the hiring manager can see the progression of your roles and experience.

If you don’t have relevant professional experience, consider using a combination resume format that emphasizes a mix of skills and education relevant to the job opening.

3. Keep it simple

You may be tempted to highlight your creative side when it comes to your resume, especially if you have an artistic personality.

You should choose a clean, clear format, without frills and other distractions because a simpler format ensures your resume gets past applicant tracking systems (ATS) and is seen by a hiring manager. This software scans for resume keywords but can be confused by complicated layouts and infographics.

4. Don’t be afraid of blank space

Your theater resume should be comprehensive but to the point. Don’t add additional information to your resume just to fill up the page. Instead, focus only on the skills and experiences that are relevant to the job. Your talent will speak for itself when it comes time to audition.

Even if you don’t have extensive professional experience in theater, a concise resume isn’t necessarily bad. A short one-page resume gives directors all the important information they need about your experience, skills, and talents to decide whether to call you in for an audition.