Acting Resume and Class Performances

[Kelly]

How do you, and do you at all, put class performances on your resume? I typically don't, particularly when auditioning for something at Second City because I assume they know what the program entails, etc. I would never put anything aside from the Conservatory final shows on there anyway, but wondered if that was even necessary?

Typically, I just write them in in the "is there anything else we should know?" section of the resume. I say something along the lines of, "I have also performed a sketch revue with my Conservatory class as part of my class work" or something.

I just feel it's hard to figure out what to do with that stuff, because it's performance experience but at the same time it's not exactly like I have been cast (although you do have to audition to be in the conservatory at all ...)

Thoughts?

[aimeng99]

As regards traditional scripted theatre experience on resumes, I have known some folks with few credits to have a separate section of their resume devoted to "Representative Scenework". That section basically lists the scenes they performed as part of their classwork. It's kind of semi-frowned upon, but it's way better than a blank page. Do you think you could do a similar spin for improv class shows/scenes?

[Hamer]

I list anything that had a name and that we made any sort of effort of promoting.
ie. iO 5B shows, and SC Conservatory Show.
That way I am listing the shows related to a class without saying "look at me, I am a big fat rookie."

[Angie]

I have Improv/Sketch/Stand Up as the title of a seperate section of my resume

So Like

Theater
Play Role Director Theater
Play Role Director Theater

*Improv/**Sketch/^Stand Up

*Show Title Director Progam Title
**Show Title Director Production Company
**Show Title Director Theater
^ Showcase Title Producer Theater

I also indicate if it was Improv Sketch or Stand up with little sybols and a sybol key.

It is all about listing people that you want folks to know you have worked with. If you took a class and had a show that you were not crazy about don't list it. But if it was a great experience and you want people to know you worked with this person list it.

The only college thing I still have on my resume is my Comedy Cabaret show from Columbia because I was directed by Jim Zulevic and Jeff Richmond and I can't bear to part with the fact that I got to work with them.

Does it look cheese that I am 31 and listing a college show on my resume. Maybe, but it is how I choose to sell myself.

[stevescholz]

I'm agreeing with Angie on this. How you list something depends upon how you want to market yourself. On my resume, I distinguish between scripted theater and unscripted theater (usually plays/sketch shows and improv). Here's what it looks like at NowCasting.com:

http://stevescholz.nowcasting.com (http://stevescholz.nowcasting.com/)

This layout might not work for you, but it's an approach that's helped me get work.

If you have a performance class with a well-known teacher/director, consider listing that in your Education section. But if there's any class performance and you did it for an audience beyond your own class, I'd say that counts as a performance credit. Check with your instructor if you have a concern.

Also, don't assume everyone at Second City knows all of your Second City training. Teachers may recognize you, but the people running auditions might not know how much you've done. When you list your training and shows, you're doing yourself a favor.

And, just like Angie's proud of her work with Jim and Jeff, I'm proud to have worked with many of my directors. So I list them where I can. Many times a casting person has looked at my resume and said "oh, you worked with ________? I did a _____ with them years ago...." That can help a casting person relate to your history, and maybe even help get you cast.

Good luck,
Steve

[Kelly]

Thanks!

I do list the training, just not the shows. I meant that I assumed that people at Second City would know that if I graduated from the Conservatory, I have done an 8 week run of shows with my classmates, etc.

I don't count the other shows as performances, because they are really just improv for other people in other classes, essentially (sometimes people's friends come ... but still not a "real show."

Generally, I do something like this:

I have three columns, in column 1, I have the title of the show. In column 2, I have what role I played (since I've only done improv and sketch, this now says either improv ensemble member or sketch revue - various as the role played). In the third column I have the director and the venue, for example, Joe Smith, Donny's Skybox or something.

Then I list all my training and instructors beneath that ... question, currently I have listed every single instructor for every single level ... should I just lump A-E together and then list the instructors, or should I even bother listing instructors? For conservatory I have only had two instructors the whole time ...

Sorry for all the questions, I am really trying to revamp this thing!

But perhaps I should seperate it into two sections ... it's just that right now, I have three improv credits and just one sketch show. I'm in an upcoming sketch show but since it has not been performed yet I wasn't going to put it on there ...