How to Make an Acting Resume: From Zero to Audition-Ready

Starting your acting career is exciting, but when it comes to creating your first acting resume, things can feel overwhelming.

Questions like:

• What do you include if you have little or no experience?
• How do you make it look professional?
• And how do you stand out in a competitive industry?

It comes to our minds, and it’s totally understandable.

Here’s the good news: You don’t need a long list of film credits to make a great acting resume.

What matters most is providing your training, experience, and skills clearly and professionally.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through every step that will help you build an acting resume that works for auditions, casting calls, and portfolio submissions.

How to Make an Acting Resume with No Experience: Steps to Help Get You Noticed

Let’s look at some of the key steps you need to follow you need to follow to create a winning acting resume:

Step 1: Choose the Right Resume Format

Before writing anything, decide on the format that highlights your strengths best.

If you’ve already done several roles, a chronological format works well, placing your most recent credits at the top.

If you’re new to acting and have little on-camera experience, go for a functional format, which focuses more on your skills, training, and workshops instead of credits.

Now, if you’ve managed to gain little experience, a combination of including your acting work and also highlighting classes you’ve attended and skills will be beneficial.

By choosing the right format, you can showcase your potential, even if your acting resume is light on professional credits.

Step 2: Start With Your Name and Contact Information

Your name should be the largest, most visible element on the page, so place it at the very top in bold.

Directly below, add details such as:

• Your phone number.
• Professional e-mail.
• City or region.

You don’t need to include your complete address. Just your general location is enough.

Now, if you have an IMDB page, acting portfolio, or a showreel link, include them in your acting resume.

If it is a resume website, you can add a short link or QR code so casting directors can access your work instantly.

Step 3: Add a Short Objective or Summary

Including a short objective at the top of your acting resume is highly recommended, especially if you’re a beginner.

It isn’t mandatory, but it helps casting directors understand your goals and personality quickly.

Always remember to keep it concise, short, and authentic. There is no need for flair for the dramatic here. Let’s keep that for your acting work.

Attention: if you already have a few credits, you can skip this section.

Step 4: Include Your Union Status and Physical Stats

Right under your header, include your union affiliation if you have one, such as SAG-AFTRA or “SAG-Eligible.” If you’re not yet part of any acting union, simply write “Non-Union.”

Next is to add relevant physical stats like height, hair color, and eye color, but skip unnecessary details like weight or exact age unless specifically requested. Keep this section short and easy to scan.

Check out our example on how to include physical stats in your acting portfolio website:

Step 5: Organize Your Acting Credits by Category

Credits are the backbone of your acting resume. Group them by categories such as Film, Television, Theater, or Web Series. Within each category, use a clean format:

Production Title | Role | Company or Director

For example:

The Bright Lights | Supporting | Directed by Jane Smith

If you’re auditioning for a TV role, put your Film/TV credits first. If it’s a stage audition, lead with your Theater section. Tailoring the order based on the role you want makes your resume more relevant.

Step 6: Include Small or Early Credits Honestly

When you’re starting out, include school plays, student films, local theater, or acting workshops - but make sure you label them clearly.

Casting directors appreciate honesty and understand that everyone begins somewhere. A short, well-organized list of smaller projects looks more professional than padding your acting resume with irrelevant jobs or fake credits.

Step 7: Highlight Your Training and Education

Training can be just as important as credits when you’re a beginner in acting. List any acting classes, workshops, or courses you’ve attended, along with the names of your instructors and institutions.

Always list the most recent or relevant training first. This shows your commitment to honing your knowledge and improving your craft.

Step 8: Showcase Your Special Skills

Casting directors often look for unique abilities that fit specific roles, so include a Special Skills section.

Add only the abilities you can confidently perform, such as “Conversational Spanish,” “Stage Combat Certified,” “Guitar - Intermediate,” or “British Accent.”

Avoid listing generic or exaggerated skills. Remember, a short, focused list of genuine abilities is far more effective than an overcrowded one.

Step 9: Add Extras Like Awards or References (Optional)

If you’ve won any credible awards or recognitions, include them briefly.

References from acting coaches, directors, or mentors can also add value, but only list them once you’ve asked for permission.

If you don’t have any yet, skip this section. Don’t worry, your acting resume will still look complete without it.

Step 10: Include Links to Your Reel or Portfolio

In today’s digital-first industry, a reel or an online portfolio link can make a big difference.

Place it in your header or at the bottom of your resume. Use short URLs or QR codes for cleaner formatting and make sure all links work before sharing your resume.

Always ensure that the link is working beforehand. A broken link can make you seem unprepared.

Don’t have an acting portfolio website? Need not worry, choose Pixpa!

A no-code website builder caters to creatives, such as actors, to build a portfolio website that’ll help showcase their talent, skills, and experience to potential employers.

Why Pixpa?

• 150+ stunning pre-made templates that are fully customizable.
• Easy to use drag and drop builder, no coding required.
• Showcase your acting resume, headshot, and showreels all together in one place.
• High-level features such as SEO tools, video reel support, headshot galleries, 24/7 customer support, and a whole lot more.

Here’s an example of a well-crafted acting portfolio website by Adam Galloway, created using Pixpa.

Step 11: Match Industry Headshot Standards

Your resume should pair seamlessly with your headshot, especially for printed submissions.

Acting headshots are typically 8×10 inches, so print your resume on matching paper and staple it neatly to the back using two flat staples at the top.

For digital submissions, make sure your headshot and resume look cohesive when viewed together.

Step 12: Keep the Design Simple and Clean

An acting resume should be easy to read at a glance. Use clean fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Garamond in sizes between 10 and 12 points.

Leave enough white space between sections to keep the layout uncluttered. Save your resume as a PDF and name it professionally, such as:

First_Last_ActingResume.pdf

Complicated designs or flashy templates can distract casting directors. Simplicity is key as it communicates professionalism.

Step 13: Proofread and Get Feedback

Before sending your resume anywhere, proofread it carefully. Check for spelling errors, verify that names and titles are correct, and ensure your links work.

Once you’re happy with your acting resume, ask someone you trust, like an acting coach, teacher, or peer, to review it.

A fresh pair of eyes will help give added perspective, catch errors you might overlook, and make your resume stronger.

Step 14: Prepare Role-Specific Versions

One resume doesn’t fit every audition. Keep different versions ready depending on the role you’re targeting.

For example, create one acting resume that focuses on film and TV, another for theater, and a third for voice-over or commercials, and so on.

Tailoring your resume helps casting directors see your most relevant experience first.

Acting Resume Mistakes You Should Avoid

A polished resume can open doors, but small mistakes can make you look unprepared. Avoid these common acting resume mistakes:

• Don’t overload your resume with unrelated jobs like retail or part-time work. Keep it focused on acting.
• Never exaggerate credits or list skills you can’t perform; many auditions test what you claim.
• Skip flashy fonts, decorative templates, and unnecessary graphics.
• Don’t ignore headshot standards. Always match your resume size to your photo.
• Avoid typos and broken links by proofreading carefully.
• Use a professional email address; “actor4lyf123@gmail.com” won’t inspire confidence.
• Always send the right version for the right audition.
• Keeping it simple, honest, and clean will make a far stronger impression.

Template for an Acting Resume

Now that you’ve understood all the steps and taken note of the acting resume mistakes you need to avoid, here’s a sample of an acting resume template.

This template is designed to match the current industry standards. We’ve created this to provide you with a visual guide to help structure your own resume.

As mentioned before, keep it clean, one-page, and casting-ready!

Ready to Create Your Acting Resume?

Your acting resume doesn’t need to be packed with film credits to make a strong impression.

Focus on your training, showcase relevant projects, highlight your special skills, and keep the design simple and professional.

Avoid common mistakes, prepare tailored versions, and keep everything honest and up to date.

A clean, well-crafted acting resume sets the stage for future opportunities, and as you gain experience, you can keep building on this solid foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What should I include if I have no acting experience?

Start with your training, workshops, and smaller projects like student films or community theater. Label them clearly and focus on your skills to build credibility.

Do I need professional headshots to submit my resume?

Yes, but you can start with a clean, well-lit photo if you’re just beginning. Upgrade to professional headshots as you gain experience.

How long should my acting resume be?

Always keep it to one page. A focused, concise resume is easier for casting directors to review quickly.

Should I include my age on my resume?

No. Instead, you can add a “playing age range” if requested, but your actual birthdate isn’t necessary.

How do I list training if I don’t have formal classes?

Include workshops, online masterclasses, local theater groups, or private coaching sessions. Any structured training counts.

Should I add my social media links?

Only if they’re professional and relevant to your work, like a portfolio, Instagram, or TikTok acting clips, avoid personal accounts unless they showcase your performances.

Can I use one resume for all auditions?

You can, but having role-specific versions, such as film, theater, or commercials, makes your applications more targeted and effective.

How should I name my resume file?

Use a simple, professional format like First_Last_ActingResume.pdf. Avoid vague filenames like “resume_final2.pdf.”