resume format

[MatthewShiner]

Intersting Trivia:

I just received 18 resumes in the mail today for open Equity B+ ASM Position.

6 had dates on them. 

4 of them, with the dates, pointed out some odd employment history 

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two of them pointing out they had really only been stage managing professionally far less then their resume lead on.

one had a very large gap in employment

one proved she was much younger then her resume let on
What I found interesting, is that dates are use more often then I thought.

If you use dates, make sure they are not giving information you might not want to give out.

More on resumes in next post.

[Scott (formerly Digga)]

Based on this thread I revamped mine.  I still don't have dates but I've added Directors which I see now can make it a lot easier for some people reading the resume.

Position          Show           Theatre (Director)

Since I've got my name along the Right Side of the resume right now - I'm limited on Left-Right space.  I like it because it's different but we'll see.  I may eventually move it to the top and expand my resume side to side to include dates.  Just don't really see a need for it yet I guess.

[HundredthSheep]

Hi there,

I'm relatively new here, and being a student, have been posting around on the student forum, but have yet to make a post anywhere else on the board. I've got a resume-related question, and would love some advice!

I'm currently an undergrad, and I'm starting to get some materials ready to send out for summer programs, internships, etc., and as I went to start a resume, I realized that I'd never done a stage management resume before (I'm still very much getting my feet wet). Seeing as my experience is in "academic theatre," if you will, is there a particular way that I should think about organizing it?

Thanks!

[TechGal]

I suggest that you check out the resume browser on this site.  When I revamped my resume about a year ago I found it extremely useful.  What I ended up doing was combining ideas from different resumes that I liked.  There really is no "one way"  but generally speaking they are all variations on a theme.  Also,  the type of and amount of work you have done my limit you somewhat.  Obviously you want to present yourself in the best light.  Some layouts may lend themselves better to that than others.  Hope that helps. 

[ljh007]

Hi Sheep -

Definitely check out the resume browser here on this site. You'll find a wide variety of SMs with experience ranging from the novice to the seasoned professional. Certainly you'll find some styles and ideas that will work for your new resume.

Sometimes students and recent grads feel that their biggest challege is just filling the page. You might want to create categories like "Theatrical skills" where you include sewing, carpentry, painting, truck-driving abilities, or even combat training (and bullet points can happily take up a bit of space in this list). If you're light on show experience but have taken lots of classes, you can certainly list your theatrical courses (like, "Intermediate set drafting, College Name, Fall 2005. Professor: Jane Doe"). You might include an objective at the top of your resume to identify your professional stage management goals, because your resume might not yet scream "stage manager" so much as "theatre student." Certainly list any acting, television, or film projects you might have worked on as well - these fields are closely related enough to be interesting on a resume.

Remember that a theatrical resume is different from an office resume. You don't need to focus so much on "real" jobs - in fact, you can leave that summer desk job off your SM resume if you want. I'd rather see a student resume that gives me lots of info on their theatrical skills and abilities, rather than one that obligingly lists all the "normal" stats like all those summer jobs we take between theatre classes.

See you around the site!

[Karnai]

Question: Has anyone ever put a headshot on their SM resume?

I've been working on my resume for about a year now editing and re-editing it with the help of one of my professors and recently he suggested possibly putting my headshot in the top right and corner. Now, to me, this seems rather unprofessional. I've never seen a resume with a photo on it. However, I'm attending SETC in March and my professor seemed to think it might help employers to remember me better at the Job Contact Service there.

Opinions?

~Karen

[Scott (formerly Digga)]

Question: Has anyone ever put a headshot on their SM resume?

I've been working on my resume for about a year now editing and re-editing it with the help of one of my professors and recently he suggested possibly putting my headshot in the top right and corner. Now, to me, this seems rather unprofessional. I've never seen a resume with a photo on it. However, I'm attending SETC in March and my professor seemed to think it might help employers to remember me better at the Job Contact Service there.

Opinions?

~Karen

I used it a number of years ago when I was at SETC as well.  Much for the same reason that your professor though.  Whether it helped me get the job or not, I'm not sure, but I did end up booking a Fall Tour from that SETC (it was the year I was graduating).  One difference for me, was I only used a small photo in the upper left corner as opposed to a full headshot on the back of the resume.

As for doing it now - I don't see the need.  Again, they might be useful for large cattle call things like SETC but at this point, it would just take up too much room on the resume to begin with.  I wouldn't call it unprofessional though.

[ljh007]

I would not go for the headshot on the SM resume.
I understand the idea of helping people remember you. But, well, it just doesn't matter what an SM looks like as it does an actor. It would be like putting my picture in with my job application to be a bank teller. Totally irrelevant (and therefore unprofessional? probably not, but somehow it does have that flavor to me). Don't bother. Make your lasting impression with your wonderful resume and smart interview skills.

[MatthewShiner]

I can not think of any good reason to put your photo on the resume.

If it is to jog someone's memory, the resume and the work you have done should be able to do that.

[maladjusted]

what a great topic. I have a few shows under my belt as an ASM with the USD MFA program and am now venturing out in the San Diego Community for Stage Mgmt positions. I was actually going to ask about resumes and found this topic. Thanks to all for the great examples.

I am working now with the Coronado playhouse as Stage Manager for their production of Inherit the Wind. It will be my first time not as an assistant and also calling the cues. I am nervous but have payed close attention to the Stage managers that I have worked with. We'll see.

david

[ljh007]

Welcome to the site, David!
I hope you're finding lots of useful tidbits. (And thanks for using the helpful search function and joining discussions!) Good luck calling your first show - you'll find lots of threads discussing first-time experiences around the site too.
Cheers-

[zayit shachor]

I've got a resume question.

I'm doing an internship this summer where I'll be ASMing three or four shows in a row at a professional theater.

On my resume, do I list: a) just the internship, under "Training" or something like that; b) the internship under "Training" and also list each show separately under "Stage Management"; or c) just the shows?

[Mac Calder]

Under Stage Management (or employment history, or whatever you would call it) I would list:

Internship - Company Name
    - Duties: Assistant Stage Manager Show1, Show 2, Show 3

[ljh007]

My advice is to go with your option "B" - list the three shows under shows and the internship under training.
They are really separate experiences - not all interns are selected to be ASMs at the theatre, and not all ASMs had internship experiences. You receive different educational experiences in both positions. I would list them separately.

[KMC]

I can offer some advice from the other side of the coin, as quite a few resumes come across my desk at work.  One thing I think is overlooked a lot is the following.  Very very very rarely is your resume going to get you the job.  The goal of your cover letter should be to get the person to look at your resume, the goal of your resume is to get you an interview, and the interview is where you get the job.  I would rather see 5 stage management credits with some details about the shows than see 25 credits that simply have show name, director, and theatre.  Put what makes you qualified for the job you're seeking right there in plain view.  Do you have experience with scenery automation, have you worked with a live orchestra, what's the largest cast size you've worked with, etc... 

But you will have different opinions on resumes from everyone you talk to, I'm sure a lot of folks disagree with me when I say to put more information there than is "traditional".