#24: I Got An Audition
Thursday, August 1st 2024
Resumes have been on my mind. It’s that time of year when a lot of people are getting their material in check for the fall audition season along with my college audition prep students so I’ve been look at a ton of resumes.
Let me ask you this question:
What is the purpose of a theatre resume?
The purpose of a theatrical resume is to show potential employers how much you have been trusted in another business.
RE-READ THAT!
The purpose of a theatrical resume is to show potential employers how much you have been trusted in another business.
It’s not just about the roles, skills, training. Of course, that’s interesting and can give information to a team. But I want you to think of your resume as a business tool that you are using in a business transaction.
Things that don’t help - that you were Farquaad in your 8th grade production of Shrek. I’m sure you were lovely, but it’s not helpful.
Recent, relevant, current information only.
What is your resume TELLING someone? If you play male roles and you have Action, Mike, the Newsies, and Billy Lawlor on your resume… guess what? You are presenting as a DANCER. If those roles don’t actually support your ability they have to go.
Some people cater their resume to their auditions - for me, that is unnecessary and I’m not sure it is a good use of time. I think a better use of time is making sure your resume accurately represents the person the team sees in front of them!
Along with many of you, I’ve done hundreds of shows. However, my resume, has about 15-20 credits that mostly demonstrate my ability to be funny, loud, belty, that I do contemporary & classic shows, and that I can handle complex material. Maybe 1-2 “straight” characters and not even 1 ingenue. I simply am not viewed that way and I’m not auditioning for those kinds of roles. There is simply no confusion about who I am and what I do when someone gets that resume across their inbox! Now, of course I can do more, but I’m not leading with those other skills.
Really look critically at your resume. Once I started taking “Martha in The Secret Garden” and (gulp) “Fantine in Les Miz” and the like off my resume my appointment requests ticked UP. I’m proud of both of those shows. I LOVE that someone saw me as Fantine. But, those are not the kinds of roles I’m going to be cast in right now and especially not as I get older. AND THAT IS OK! I’m not trying to convince anyone of anything haha. I did those roles, I loved them, and they are over. Maybe I’ll add them back some day, but for now, this strategy is working well!
Make sure you resume tells the story of who you are now, the performer you are now, and the kinds of roles and shows that best resonate for you NOW.
Dreams Don’t Die :)
Julie