A dance resume functions as a tailored marketing document designed to secure auditions and casting opportunities. Unlike traditional professional summaries, this document must immediately communicate a dancer’s physical capabilities and technical profile to casting directors and choreographers. Its primary purpose is to quickly distill years of training and experience into a scannable format. This focused presentation ensures that a dancer’s unique attributes align with the project’s artistic and physical requirements.
Essential Identifying Information
The top section of any dance resume must clearly display the dancer’s professional name and current contact information, including phone number and email address. If the dancer is represented, the agent or manager’s contact details should be prominently listed instead of personal information. Including union affiliations, such as SAG-AFTRA or Actors’ Equity Association, is standard practice if applicable to the work being sought.
Physical statistics are an immediate requirement for casting personnel. Height, measured precisely in feet and inches, is always mandatory information for dancers. Other physical markers, such as hair color and eye color, allow casting personnel to quickly visualize the dancer for a specific role.
Weight may be relevant for commercial auditions or specific genre requirements, such as partnering work, and should be included when necessary. This immediate presentation of biographical and physical data streamlines the initial selection process.
Professional Training and Education
Demonstrating a comprehensive technical foundation requires a detailed listing of professional training and formal education, typically organized in reverse chronological order. This section should clearly categorize the dance styles studied, such as Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, or specific contemporary techniques like Graham or Horton. Listing the duration of study for each style provides context regarding the dancer’s proficiency level.
The institutions attended, including university programs (BFA or BA in Dance), professional schools, or specialized conservatories, should be included alongside the dates of attendance. Listing master classes and intensive workshops is also beneficial, especially when these programs were directed by recognized industry figures.
A dancer should also name their most influential or regular instructors and mentors, as their association can validate the quality and rigor of the training received. The variety shown in this section indicates the dancer’s commitment to continuous technical development.
Performance and Choreography Experience
The performance history section serves as the primary evidence of professional capability and should be structured for maximum clarity. Each entry requires four key pieces of information: the role performed, the title of the work, the name of the choreographer, and the company or venue. This detailed structure allows a casting director to immediately assess the caliber of work performed and the context of the engagement.
Company or Production Credits
Roles should be described using industry-specific titles, such as Principal Dancer, Soloist, Corps de Ballet, or Apprentice, reflecting the level of responsibility held. Use strong action verbs to describe the performance experience, such as “originated the role of,” “toured internationally with,” or “performed a repertory work by.” Academic showcases are appropriate inclusions if they feature significant roles in established repertoire or original works by noted faculty. The dates or seasons when the work was performed provide necessary context regarding the recency of the engagement.
Independent Choreography and Teaching
Experience beyond performing roles demonstrates versatility and an understanding of the broader creative and administrative aspects of dance production. Listing choreographic commissions, including the title of the work, the commissioning company, and the venue of the premiere, showcases creative skills. Teaching experience should detail the institutions, the styles taught, and the level of students instructed.
Other professional responsibilities, such as serving as a rehearsal director, stage manager, or administrative assistant, should also be included. These roles suggest organizational skills and reliability, which are valued attributes in a collaborative rehearsal environment.
Specialized Skills and Unique Attributes
A dedicated section for specialized skills allows a dancer to highlight unique attributes that extend beyond core technical training. This includes specific movement proficiencies, such as advanced partnering techniques, extensive pointe work, or high-level tap or aerial work. Detailed descriptions of these skills, rather than simple mentions, provide more value.
Skills outside of dance, such as proficiency in a musical instrument, fluency in foreign languages, or experience with stage combat or singing, are highly marketable for theatrical and commercial work. Acrobatics, gymnastics, or specific athletic training should also be listed if they contribute to the dancer’s physical vocabulary. These unique attributes show adaptability and expand the range of roles a dancer can undertake.
Formatting, Presentation, and Length
The visual presentation of the resume is as important as its content, as casting directors often spend only seconds reviewing each document. Maintaining a single-page length is the industry standard for nearly all dancers; multi-page resumes are typically reserved only for those with decades of principal-level experience or extensive directorial credits. The layout must utilize clear headings and ample white space to ensure immediate readability.
Selecting a professional font, such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Garamond, ensures the content is accessible. The use of bullet points and consistent formatting helps organize the information clearly.
When submitting a physical copy, the resume should be printed on high-quality, clean, white or off-white paper stock, reflecting the dancer’s attention to detail and professionalism.
Required Supporting Materials
The dance resume requires specific supporting materials to complete the application portfolio. A professional headshot, typically 8×10 inches, is mandatory and must accurately reflect the dancer’s current appearance. This is usually accompanied by one or more body shots, either full-length or three-quarter, which showcase the dancer’s physique and line in a dance pose.
In the digital age, a professional dance reel is also expected, providing a dynamic visual representation of the dancer’s technical range and performance quality. Links to video hosting platforms like Vimeo or YouTube should be clearly listed on the resume. All supporting materials must maintain a consistent aesthetic and professional quality.