How to Build a Standout Musical Theatre Resume
Your step-by-step guide to creating a confident, professional audition resume
In musical theatre, your resume is more than a list of credits—it’s your first audition. It’s what casting sees before your headshot, before your video reel, before you sing a note. But creating that resume can feel overwhelming. What should you include? How do you format it? What makes it stand out?
As a performer and career coach with decades in the business, I’m breaking down exactly how to craft a clean, professional musical theatre resume—whether you’re just starting out or updating mid-career. This guide will help you walk into (or submit to) auditions with clarity and confidence.
Your Name and Contact Info: Keep It Clear
At the top of your resume, your name should stand out. Bold it. Center it. Make sure it’s readable. Then, include only essential contact details:
Professional website (hyperlinked if submitting digitally)
Email address
Phone number
❌ No need to include your home address.
✅ Do make sure casting can reach you easily.
Resume Formatting Tips for Performers
A messy resume is a missed opportunity. Here’s how to keep yours clean, professional, and audition-ready:
Stick to one page. If it’s overflowing, trim the excess.
No dates needed. This isn’t a corporate resume—omit performance years.
Reorder by relevance. Put your strongest credits first.
Use consistent formatting. Three clean columns, consistent fonts.
Be honest. No made-up credits—your integrity matters.
Add Your Stats: Union Status & Vocal Range
This goes at the top under your name. Include:
Union affiliation (AEA, EMC (though this program is phasing out), SAG-AFTRA if applicable)
Vocal range (e.g., Mezzo-Soprano with strong belt to D5)
Agent if applicable
Optional: Height or playing age if relevant to casting or if you feel comfortable
List Your Performance Experience (With Strategy)
Break this section into categories that reflect your strengths (here are options to get you started):
Regional Theatre
Broadway
Off Broadway
Musical Theatre
Educational Theatre
NYC Theatre
Readings/Workshops
For each role, list:
Show Title – Role – Producing Company or Theatre
Don’t embellish—list credits honestly, and highlight roles that reflect your casting range and professional growth.
Highlight Education & Training
You don’t need a BFA to be respected in this industry, but you do need to keep training. List:
Degrees or certificates
Acting, voice, and dance training
Notable teachers or institutions
Musicianship or technical skills
This is your chance to show how seriously you take your craft.
Additional Skills: Show What Makes You Unique
Casting directors do read this section! Include:
Accents and dialects
Musical instruments
Acrobatics, tumbling, rollerblading, etc.
Language fluency
Valid passport, driver’s license, dance styles, etc.
✨ Only list what you can actually do, especially under pressure.
Final Polish: Make It Yours
Once the content is locked in, give your resume a quick polish:
Align columns
Proofread every section
Choose a readable font
Add subtle visual elements (lines, spacing) if helpful
Keep it clean. Keep it clear. Keep it professional.
Ready to Go Pro? Let’s Talk Coaching
If you're creating or updating your resume and wondering what credits to highlight—or what direction to take in your next chapter—I’d love to help.
🎭 I offer personalized 1:1 coaching for musical theatre performers and aspiring college students who want help building their application materials, audition tapes, or crafting a strategic career plan. If you’re feeling lost or unsure, let’s work together to find clarity.
👉 Book a free consult session with me here
Free Resource: Make Money Offstage While You Audition
Want to build financial stability while pursuing your theatre career?
📥 Download my free guide:
50 Ways I Make Money Offstage
This list includes flexible, performer-friendly jobs you can do while auditioning—without burning out or losing momentum.
Final Thoughts
Your musical theatre resume is a living document. It evolves with you. Revisit it every few months, update your credits, and adjust based on your career goals.
Most of all, trust that your journey is uniquely yours. Whether you’re performing on cruise ships, understudying on Broadway, or teaching masterclasses between contracts—own it. Your resume is simply the map. You are the story.
Ashlee Espinosa, MFA is a professional actress and career coach helping performers thrive onstage and off. She brings over two decades of experience and a unique perspective from her bi-coastal lifestyle as a working artist. A former college professor, she now splits her time between performing, coaching, and creating digital resources to support other artists. Follow her on Instagram or check out the Musical Theatre Mentor YouTube channel for weekly career advice.
