<p>OK, MTMommy, I will be the first to tackle what are DEFINITELY not stupid questions. When you get down to the nitty gritty of writing these documents, things like this DO come up. But let me just say first that there is no right or wrong way about this and it is not going to be that scrutinized. I also think it is going to differ from kid to kid exactly what is included and the format to some degree. For a kid with very few experiences, they might add in each recital or performance and another kid is going to leave that sort of thing off because they have enough significant performances to list, etc. </p>
<p>Ok, before I get to each question, I also want to mention one thing that comes to my mind when reading your post. That is, that there really are TWO resumes that one can send for an applicant. First, is the resume that goes with the regular application, like any other college applicant should submit ideally. My D who was not a MT applicant sent a resume with all her applications, for example. It was called "List of Activities and Awards". This was a compilation of all the EC activities, which grades they were done in, how many hours per week, how many weeks per year, description of what position/role in the activity, significant achievements or awards in that activity, how many total years in the activity (if significant, beyond merely the four years of high school.....in my kids' cases, some of their activities were for ten or more years), plus an annotation describing the activity or their experience with it. Even my D who applied for MT BFA programs, had an activity/award resume she sent in with every application. I believe the little activity chart on the application does not do justice to explaining the signficance or involvement in these activities. Anyway, for a MT kid, this might be where activities like Chorus are noted. That is where my D had Choir, select choir, All States, etc. etc. as well as many other things. This resume did NOT have theatrical credits. Theater was just ONE activity on this resume. The entry for theater was more a summation of that activity, rather than every role. Awards beyond performing arts would be on this resume (ie., writing awards, NHS, etc.). Her document was three pages long, as was my older D's. It was in a very well organized format. This also was brought to interviews. It also was provided to all her rec writers. It is updated on an ongoing basis.</p>
<p>THEN, for the auditions, my D brought her THEATRICAL resume. Normally for theater, this is a one pager but for college auditions, it was a two pager because it included arts awards that were not originally on her theater resume she used for theater auditions. But this is for a COLLEGE program, so noting awards is important if you have them, plus being more detailed on the training part too. THIS resume DID list the theater credits. This is the resume that goes with the headshot. </p>
<p>Ok, now that I got that out of the way...onto your specific questions....</p>
<p>"Since I'm asking about college resumes, I'm going to assume we're talking a two-pager, not a one-pager."</p>
<p>Correct.</p>
<p>"Do students put cabaret, revue, other solo experiences on their resumes at all? I'm talking about singing solos at school, at the mall, at the county fair, etc. If so, how does someone do that without sounding like they're putting in every little thing they've ever done. In other words, how does one gives a flavor of doing that kind of thing--or isn't it necessary at all?"</p>
<p>This might vary from kid to kid depending on how much experience she had. My D did not list solos at school or in variety shows and the like. She did not put in every little thing she had ever done. She had enough other stuff and from what I know about your D, she does as well. She could, however, group these together into a one liner and say something to the effect of many variety shows, solo vocal performances, etc. My daughter did not do that on the theatrical resume. Chorus was not even on it except under "additional interests". However, she noted significant things like All State Festival or Regional Music Festival by audition and if a featured soloist, she might have put that in paranthesis. But she did not list every performance of her life, just these because they were "honors" so to speak beyond locally. So, she is not listing every time she ever sang a solo some place. If she won some honor, it was under Awards. If she was in a musical revue show or a cabaret, it was listed under credits...for example, she has been in a select cabaret troupe at her summer program for 7 years and that was a credit. She has been in some musical revues which were a credit. Example, Perfectly Frank is one and that is a revue of the music by Frank Loessur. It is a full fledged musical, not a chorus concert, however. She has created/produced/directed/choreographed two musical cabarets and this was listing under that heading. So if something is significant list it. I would leave off every little singing performance, however, or if need be, group them as a one liner. </p>
<p>"What about dance? Isn't just putting types of dance, teacher, and years studied enough? Or for college does one put dance performing experiences on the resume?"</p>
<p>My daughter listed each type of dance, number of years of each type, and place where she trained (rarely noted the teachers unless a college asked for that). She never listed dance performances and she has been in MANY like your daughter. I feel that is implied when you study dance to this degree, it usually involves dance performances. She also noted being in a select jazz dance troupe by audition, same with a tap troupe and that she had choreographed for the latter for a few years. Again, these repertory companies imply performing. She did not list the dance performances themselves. </p>
<p>"I was interested to read answers about the production experience on resumes because I thought that the fair answer would be that it shows what an asset a student would be who knows about "both sides" of a performance. But then I wondered also if it might be a detriment at some schools because some schools seem to be more interested in performers who stick to performing."</p>
<p>I still believe if a kid is going for performing but has done some directing, choreography, or tech work, that listing it in a separate category is a positive thing. It is not saying that the kid is NOT a performer, only that the kid has had varied theatrical experiences that can only enhance their skills, if you ask me. I mean I would like to think that my child's experiences as a musical director and choreographer, add to her skills as a performer. Clearly when you read her resume, it shouts "performer" but related skills are still on it....ie., years of piano, jazz band, guitar, choregraphy, recording CD's, etc. I don't think these things dilute the resume as they are related. Clearly, the bulk of the resume is going to be theater credits (roles) and training, These other categories come later but should not be neglected on the resume if you have them. If you think about it, at almost every BFA program, they seem to require freshmen to help tech shows. Also, there are student run musicals and plays in all these schools and who is going to be leaders in those endeavors? Bingo. Remember, too, that a student could expound on these activities more on the ACTIVITY resume that goes in with the application (as well as in essays or even in the recs). You know, the fact that my kid can lead warm ups at a rehearsal at piano, or help teach choreography, or sight read music to accompany others, all might be seen as useful in these programs, so why not include anything related to performing arts?</p>
<p>" My daughter has a separate category of choreography and directing which she positioned after performing experience, but when I look at it I have mixed feelings about whether it's a good idea or not."</p>
<p>I know what your D has done and YES, INCLUDE THIS....this is one of her strengths and she stands out in this way. Being the choregrapher of the school production or the director of a one act in a festival.....these clearly show her experiential level. </p>
<p>"What about choir? If the choir consistently picks up awards and trophies (doesn't participate in all-state), but there are no solo competition opportunities, does a student make some kind of mention of something-or-other to show that the choir is an award-winning choir or not? "</p>
<p>Again, my daughter did not list choir on the theater resume, but on the activity one. In the annotation of that activity, your D could explain how it is an award winning choir (give an example of in which way). For example, when my D noted being in choir and select choir and jazz band at her school on her activity resume with her application, her annotation noted that our music department has won a Grammy Award (so they might know that it is of quality even if a rinky dink rural public high school, mind you!). She DID note All States, Regionals, and other personal voice awards on the theater resume as well as the activity resume. I don't think I would note the choral group winning awards on anything but the activity resume.....whereas the theatrical resume would be more for individual achievements, I think. </p>
<p>Again, the categories on the theatrical resume (or even the activity resume) are going to vary a bit from individual to individual. For instance, some kids are not going to have a choregraphy category on their resume. But they might have a film/TV credit category. So, it is individualized somewhat though there are basic format categories they should all include. </p>
<p>I hope that helps.
Susan</p>