How to Write an Acting Resume (With Example and Template)

An acting resume is not formatted like a standard professional resume. It follows a completely different structure that is specific to the entertainment industry, understood by casting directors, and expected by agents and production companies. Using a standard resume template for an acting submission is one of the clearest signals that someone is new to the industry and has not done their homework.

This guide covers exactly how an acting resume is structured, what goes on it, what to leave off, and how to make it work for both in-person submissions and digital casting systems that use ATS-style software.

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How an Acting Resume Is Different From a Standard Resume

A few key differences define acting resumes from the start:

It is always one page. No exceptions, regardless of how much experience you have. Credits are condensed, not expanded. Casting directors review hundreds of submissions. A two-page acting resume will be received poorly.

It is always attached to your headshot. Your acting resume is printed on the back of your 8×10 headshot or attached to it digitally. The dimensions matter, your resume should be exactly 8×10 inches so it aligns with the headshot behind it when trimmed.

No objective or summary. Acting resumes do not include a professional summary or objective statement. Your credits and training speak for themselves.

Training is as important as credits. For newer actors especially, your training section carries significant weight. Where you studied, with whom, and for how long tells casting directors about your technique, your commitment, and your professional pedigree.

Union status is listed prominently. Whether you are SAG-AFTRA, AEA (Actors’ Equity), ACTRA, non-union, or eligible, this information belongs at the top of your resume where casting directors can see it immediately.

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Acting Resume Format and Layout

The standard acting resume layout is straightforward and should not be deviated from significantly. Casting directors are accustomed to a specific format and anything that deviates confusingly from it creates friction.

The order of the credits sections (Film, TV, Theatre) can shift depending on where you are strongest. If you are primarily a stage actor, put Theatre first. If you have strong film credits and are targeting film work, lead with Film. Lead with your strongest category for the submission you are making.

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Full Acting Resume Example

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How to List Credits With No Experience

New actors frequently ask what to do when they have no professional credits. The answer is: include everything you have done and be honest about what it is. Student films, non-union short films, community theatre, university productions, these all belong on your resume when you are starting out.

The key is to be accurate about the context. “Student film, NYU Tisch School of the Arts” is an honest and acceptable credit. “Indie feature, Dir. Alex Chen” is fine even if the film never had a wide release. “Guest role, local community theatre production” is perfectly acceptable. What is not acceptable is exaggerating or misrepresenting credits.

Do not use “Lead” for a student film where you had the most lines unless your character genuinely drove the story. Casting directors and their assistants know the difference and will ask about it in the room.

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The Training Section: Why It Matters More Than You Think

For actors at the beginning and intermediate stages of their careers, the training section is often the most carefully reviewed part of the resume. It tells casting directors and directors two things: whether you have a technique foundation, and who vouches for your development as an actor.

Studying with a well-known coach, completing an MFA, or training at a recognized conservatory are all signals of serious professional commitment. A casting director who recognizes your teacher’s name knows something about the type of training you received and the level of work they can expect from you.

List training in reverse chronological order. Include the name of the school, program, or coach, the technique or focus if relevant (Meisner, Stanislavski, on-camera, voice, Shakespeare, physical theatre), and the duration or level.

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Special Skills: More Important Than Most Actors Realize

The special skills section of an acting resume is often what separates one qualified candidate from another. Productions often have specific requirements that go beyond acting ability. A role might call for a convincing British accent, the ability to ride a horse, fluency in Mandarin, or competitive-level basketball skills. Your special skills section is where those requirements get matched to your capabilities.

Be completely honest about what you list here. “Piano (advanced)” means you will be asked to sit down and play at the audition. “Fluent Spanish” means the director may switch to Spanish mid-scene to test you. “Firearms handling (trained)” means you may be expected to demonstrate safe handling on set. Only list skills you can actually perform to a professional or near-professional standard.

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Headshot Rules

Your headshot is the most important marketing asset you have as an actor. The resume cannot be separated from it, they exist as a single submission package.

Headshots should be taken by a professional photographer who specializes in acting headshots. This is not an area to cut corners. A headshot taken on an iPhone, cropped from a group photo, or looking like a school yearbook photo will immediately mark you as an amateur.

Standard headshots are 8×10 inches, shot from the shoulders up, with your eyes and expression as the clear focal point. You typically need different headshots for different markets: theatrical (more intense, dramatic), commercial (warm, approachable, saleable), and often a third for specific contexts like hosting or comedy.

Your resume should be trimmed to exactly 8×10 inches and stapled or attached to the back of the headshot. Your name should be clearly visible on both the front of the headshot and the top of the resume so that if they become separated, the connection is still clear.

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Digital Acting Resumes and Casting Software

Much of the acting industry now uses digital casting platforms: Actors Access, Casting Networks, Backstage, and others. These systems have their own profile fields and often use keyword filtering to match actors to breakdowns (role descriptions).

When submitting digitally, your acting resume PDF should follow the same one-page format as a physical submission. Some platforms pull data from your profile directly rather than from an uploaded PDF, so make sure your profile on each platform is as complete and keyword-rich as your paper resume.

For digital submissions to larger productions or to agents, save your resume as a PDF named “FirstName-LastName-ActingResume.pdf.” This is professional, easy to identify in a directory of submissions, and ensures your formatting is preserved exactly.

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Common Acting Resume Mistakes

• Exaggerating credits. Calling a two-line appearance a “Supporting” role, or listing a background extra appearance as a “Principal.” Casting directors check credits and the industry is smaller than it looks.
• Listing your physical weight. Height is listed. Weight, eye colour, and hair colour are not listed on a modern acting resume. Your headshot communicates your appearance.
• Using a standard corporate resume format. An objective statement, professional summary, and references section have no place on an acting resume.
• A resume that does not match your headshot. If you have significantly changed your appearance, hair colour, weight, age look, your headshot needs to be updated. A casting director should recognize you from your headshot when you walk in the room.
• Listing skills you cannot actually perform. Any special skill on your resume is an implied promise. If you list it, be ready to do it on demand.
• Including your home address. For personal safety, do not put a full home address on an acting resume. Your email, phone, and agent contact are sufficient.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long should an acting resume be?

Always one page. This is a fixed industry standard with no exceptions. If you have too many credits to fit on one page, that is a good problem to have, edit down to your most significant and recent credits. A two-page acting resume tells casting directors you do not understand how the industry works.

Should I include student films on my acting resume?

Yes, especially when you are starting out. Student films from reputable programs (NYU, USC, UCLA, Columbia) carry some credibility, particularly if they were directed by a student who has since gone on to professional work. Label them honestly as student films.

Do I need a headshot before I have an acting resume?

Yes. The headshot comes first because your resume attaches to it. You should have at least one professional headshot before you begin submitting for roles or signing with agents.

What if I have no credits at all?

Lead with your training section. If your training is strong, a recognized school, known coaches, a conservatory program, that tells the story of your preparation and seriousness. Build credits by pursuing student films, non-union projects, community theatre, and local productions. Any professional credit is better than none.

For general resume writing principles that also apply to acting industry side-jobs and day jobs, see our full resume writing guide.

Building a second resume for non-acting roles while pursuing your career? Our free AI Resume Checker can score and improve that version instantly.