<p>All the acting programs request a headshot and a resume. Is this mostly to get the students accustomed to that constant audition requirement, or does it make a difference?</p>
<p>The headshot will allow them to remember each applicant when it comes to composing their class/recall auditions. The resume will give them some sense of how much training/experience a student has. Perhaps it will help inform the judges on how much room there might be to grow? Perhaps how committed the student has been to theatre, or is this a new change in direction?<br>
But for the most part, the audition is the key. What they see right there in the room.</p>
<p>As you are aware, a professional actor is going to always need a headshot and resume. One reason schools may be asking for these things as well is to make sure that they are attracting applicants who already have a certain level of “professionalism”. So I would suggest taking the requirement seriously, and making your headshot an resume look “professional”.</p>
<p>I think you should also consider that they will be looking at the resume and looking for evidence not only of theatre experience but also for evidence of commitment to, interest in, and passion for theatre. Remember that this should be a very specific “theatre resume”, so leave out anything that is not connected to the performing arts. I personally have two separate resumes, one that I use to look for “day jobs”, the other that I use for theatre.</p>
<p>All in all, the applicant needs to portray themself as someone serious about theatre who will bring a professional attitude and who is ready to start work.</p>
<p>KEVP</p>
<p>The headshot, a little bit. Get a professional picture that accurately displays who you are. The resume, very little to none. If it’s a quality program, the professors auditioning you will be more focused on your present talents and what you bring to the table THAT DAY. I’m currently in a competitive BFA program and one of my classmates had only been in one theatrical production during high school. He showed up to his audition, handed the auditioners his tiny resume, and was admitted 2 weeks later.</p>
<p>Prodesse, definitely do a search for “resume” on this forum and the Musical Theater one–you’ll find lots of good information, including feedback directly from faculty members who run the auditions at various programs.</p>
<p>I have a slightly different perspective. My daughter’s resume (which showed that she also did directing, playwriting, and physical theater) was a jumping off point in a number of her interviews. Of course, not every school does interviews.</p>
<p>I, too, thought the resume was to give the panel a quick idea of how much experience you have, but mostly as a way to get a conversation going - to break the ice with the student.</p>
<p>I have always wondered if you use a monologue from a play you’ve been in (and listed on the resume), do they think the student is taking an easy way out.</p>
<p>^^Several people have posted anecdotes about being asked to do a monologue from a play that’s on their resume…so it probably is smart to prepare at least a couple of things you’ve been in earlier. I’ve also seen advice NOT to use a monologue from a show in which you were directed…so that implies that they shouldn’t be one of your primary monologues…? My S’s plan right now is to have one or two ready from plays that are on his resume, but not to use them as his main monologues–only there if an auditor asks for them. Does that make sense? And yes, like several of you guys, I’ve read that the resume was a useful part of the package, helpful during the interview, etc., but not a determining factor in admission.</p>
<p>Personally, I don’t have any problem with someone using a monologue from a role they have actually played. It many ways it’s better. Because you will have definitely studied the WHOLE ROLE and also received some feedback on how to improve it (from the director). In other words, you will have been REQUIRED to do all the necessary work on the monologue, and you won’t have taken any “short cuts.” Many many professional actors use monologues from roles that are also on their resume.</p>
<p>I would also suggest that if you have actually played the role in a production, you might get away with breaking the guideline of “don’t use overused monologues”.</p>
<p>The purpose of these auditions is NOT just to make more work for the kids applying. If you have a good monologue, go ahead and use it.</p>
<p>KEVP</p>
<p>I am certainly no expert, but people have posted here that the reasons for not doing a monologue you have performed in a play are:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>The monologue might lack the desired freshness.</p></li>
<li><p>The actor would be used to performing the monologue in the context of the play and performing it for auditors could be different enough to impair their performance of it.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>I am probably not expressing that very well. I am a mom, not an actor. But it was the impression I got from what I read.</p>
<p>Auditioning for performance programs is such a critical and challenging business that I should think students would want to adhere stringently to every single piece of advice they can find from authoritative sources.</p>
<p>It has been stated here a number times that evidence of the amount of work a student has put into finding an appropriate monologue can indeed influence auditors.</p>
<p>I agree with NJTHeatreMom–From my own experience, at least in this area, theatres really frown on monologues from plays in your resume. It’s ‘not done.’ The reason is that they’re worked on by another director. I’d avoid risking displeasure from your auditors and pick a new monologue.</p>