Performance Resume: Template & 30+ Tips for Testers

You have excellent stage presence as a performer and quickly bring your characters to life. Ad-libbing witty jokes and engaging audiences is second nature.

However, your performance resume is falling flat. Audition callbacks are few and far between. You need new opportunities as badly as the lead actor needs their scene partner to hit their marks on time.

You might need a more direct approach if improvisation isn't cutting it. Fortunately, you’ll learn how to make an inspirational, standout performance resume in just a few moments. 

In this guide:

• A performance resume sample that gets jobs.
• How to pick up the best performance resume skills.
• How to write a resume for a performer that gets interviews.
• Expert tips and examples to boost your chances of landing a performance job.

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Want to look at different kinds of jobs? See some of these guides:

• Acting Resume Sample
• Art Teacher Resume Sample
• Dance Resume Sample
• Fashion Resume Sample
• Film Resume Sample
• Filmmaker Resume Sample
• Makeup Artist Resume Sample
• Music Resume Sample
• Theatre Resume Sample
• Visual Artist Resume Sample
• Resume examples for all careers

Sample Performer Resume

Performers are skilled professionals who captivate audiences by acting, singing, dancing, playing an instrument, or bringing characters and stories to life. A great performer's resume must highlight experience, achievements, and interpersonal and improvisational skills.

You’ve seen the script above; it’s time to memorize your part and get on the stage. Here’s the template for the best-performing resume:

1. Format the Performance Resume Correctly

Your resume can’t wind up looking like a first-time improv session. The hiring manager might use it in their comedy routine if it does.

It's important to choose the right format to create a strong foundation for your performer resume. Think of it as selecting the perfect stage for your performance, selecting the best costume, and setting up the lights.

Need resume formatting tips in cue card form? Here you are:

1. Select a resume template that screams "professional and modern." Leave the flashy costumes for the stage and opt for a clean, polished design showcasing your professionalism.
2. Choose a font that speaks volumes about your talent. Stick to classic options like Helvetica or Georgia. Use a font size of 11–12pt for the main content and 14–16pt for your name and section headings. Let your name take center stage!
3. Keep your resume margins at a standard 1 inch on all sides, which ensures clarity and gives your resume enough breathing room, just like a well-designed set.
4. Use spacing wisely to create a visually appealing layout. Leave blank lines between section headings and entries to give them room to shine individually, like spotlights illuminating your accomplishments.
5. Aim to keep your performer resume to one page unless you have more than five years of experience. If that's the case, feel free to extend it to a two-page performance.

Expert Hint:Save your resume as a PDF rather than a DOC. It’s less likely to turn the show into a disaster.

2. Present Your Best Self in a Performance Resume Profile

When you step onto the stage in front of a brand new audience, ready to captivate them with your talent and charisma, you know well what is at stake. The opening lines of your act determine your reception throughout the rest of the show.

This same axiom applies to this situation. A poor start to your resume seals your fate as a side character in somebody else’s five-star performance. 

In truth, a well-crafted resume summary has to steal the spotlight. Here’s how to do it:

1. Start with a powerful adjective (Dynamic, Versatile, Charismatic, etc.).
2. Next, give them your job title (performer or performance artist)
3. Share your years of experience in the industry (3+, 5, 7).
4. Highlight a goal that aligns with the position you’re applying for. (To leverage stage presence and acting skills to entertain audiences).
5. Showcase your top 2–3 achievements, backed by numbers, that truly set you apart.

And, if you’re an entry-level performer bursting with potential and a goal-oriented mindset, consider using a resume objective instead. This lets you highlight your skills, aspirations, and eagerness to make your mark in the industry.

3. Create a Stunning Performance Job Description 

Even if you’ve graced the stages of Broadway or performed in renowned theaters worldwide, it's crucial to know how to showcase your vast experience effectively, like a well-rehearsed act. Otherwise, you risk turning your work experience section into a flop. 

Want a work experience section that will make the hiring manager take a bow to you instead? See this breakdown: 

1. Look at the job posting again. Examine it thoroughly, just as you would a script or score.

1. Scan the posting for the specific duties and skills required for the position. Your cues, choreography, and musical notes are everything you need to give them a master-class resume.
2. Now, think of similar responsibilities you’ve taken on and the skills you possess that align with the role. 
3. Write bullet points that highlight your professional achievements. These should be the show-stopping moments that are hard to ignore. Feel free to throw in any compliments from past casting directors, too. Use action verbs to bring your work experience section to life.

Once you’ve perfected your error-free job description, it’s time to focus on showcasing your performance skills. In addition to your impressive abilities as a performing artist, employers also critically value soft skills like effective communication and collaborating seamlessly with fellow cast members.

Check out this exemplary list of A-list performers:

30+ Skills for a Performance Resume

• Acting
• Singing
• Dancing
• Improvisation
• Voice control & projection
• Stage presence
• Character development
• Emotional intelligence
• Memorization
• Physical fitness
• Vocal range
• Diction & articulation
• Comedy timing
• Stage combat
• Musical instruments
• Adaptability
• Creative problem-solving
• Collaboration skills
• Teamwork skills
• Emotional expression
• Body language
• Confidence
• Perseverance
• Public speaking
• Networking & relationship building
• Self-promotion
• Stage management
• Directing
• Writing & script analysis

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.

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4. Create an Enchanting Education Section on Your Performer Resume

Education matters to a performer.

For one, any performer with less experience struggling to find jobs to get their foot in the door can benefit tremendously from an education section, as it’s likely their most valuable asset. And two, if the education section is conspicuously nowhere to be found on your resume regardless of your experience, that’s a significant resume mistake that recruiters take note of.

So, for the perfect performance education section for any level of experience:

1. Begin by listing your educational background clearly and concisely, stating your school, year of graduation, and the degree you graduated with.
2. Suppose you have over five years of experience. In that case, this is where you can stop, but mentioning an incredible achievement, like your school theater winning a primary regional contest, is worth it.
3. Otherwise, entry-level performers will want to elaborate on their school life. Mention workshops and relevant classes, highlight practical experience and in-class performances alongside any awards or recognition you have received.

An education section like that will demonstrate your real-world application of what you learned in school and how you could put it into practice, even in a controlled environment.

Expert Hint: The share of performance artists in the labor market in the US has been steadily rising. As such, you can expect robust competition when job hunting, assuming that isn’t true. Ironing out all aspects of your resume, including education, is crucial for long-term career success.

5. Finish Your Resume for Performers With Added Sections

A good resume should be a complete, fleshed-out story arc. Currently, yours doesn’t have an ending. To speak in terms you’d more likely understand, they’d play it at the Zellerbach Playhouse but not necessarily in the Globe.

To truly make it shine, you can include additional sections to decorate your resume and give it some extra flair while benefitting from the opportunity to impress with items that simply don’t fit anywhere else.

Here are a few ideas for sections to consider:

• Critical Certifications
• Foreign Languages
• Additional Activities
• Hobbies and Interests
• Professional References

Last but not least, you’ll want to write a cover letter. It's like a secret weapon in your arsenal since it allows you to expand on your experiences and accomplishments in a way that your resume alone cannot. Plus, it shows you’re ready to go the extra mile, are genuinely interested in the position, and are likely to do the same when on stage.

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.

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Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

Key Points

Here are the key points to take for an incredible performer resume:

• Customize your resume: Study the template we created above and use it as a guide to build your resume.
• Start with a strong summary or objective: Begin your resume with a compelling summary or objective statement that grabs the attention of hiring managers.
• Highlight your work achievements: Show your most critical achievements in previous acting or performance roles.

• Match job descriptions and skills: Customize your resume for each job application by adjusting the relevant keywords and skills to align with the job requirements.
• Utilize additional sections: By doing that, you provide more information about your qualifications. Make sure they complement the rest of your resume nicely.
• Write a tailored cover letter: Use the cover letter to highlight your accomplishments in more detail and explain why you are a strong fit for the role. 

Do you need more details about the performance resume? Do you need help deciding which skills to include or how to make your education section read just right? I am ready to answer in the comments!

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