Resume boosters

[MTBaritoneMacro]

I know the audition is obviously the most important part of the whole process. But, at the top tier schools where talent is mostly equal, what are some things I might be able to do to help set myself apart?

[EmsDad]

I don’t believe that most schools, no matter how large and deep their talent pools are, would say that they feel that talent is “mostly equal.” I believe that, in general, it does come down to the audition and schools select from relatively small numbers of applicants that they feel are best qualified for their program.

Here are some comments about resumes from MT faculty members who have posted here on CC:

Well. As a rep. As a person who looks at the resumes most intently. I can say from my singular perspective (and you are going to hate this.) It doesn’t matter. Sorry. Theatre people are ridiculously sure of their own opinions regarding talent and fit. If you handed me a piece of paper that said you have done 20 shows, been in every club, and worked at the homeless shelter I would take note. But if you weren’t a good fit, or what we were looking for, we wouldn’t much care. I suppose if two people are at some plausible “same level, same look” situation, we MAY look at the resume and make some decision. But it is rather unlikely.

The resume does not carry a lot of weight in and of itself for us in the program admissions process. It does give us a sense of the kind of experiences in which an applicant has been involved, and we often use it as a jumping off point for the interview… asking questions about somethings on the resume in order to get the student to talk about their experiences.

Ultimately, at least for us, the audition itself (followed by the interview, essay, and academics) carry MUCH more weight than the resume.

It is such a difficult process for parents and students, and because it is subjective it is natural to “sweat the small stuff,” but in the end, I believe for the majority of programs it really comes down to the audition, interview, and perceived fit of a student for the program.

When I walk into the audition room, I never know for sure what I am going to see, so I don’t really have a pre-determined idea of what I expect. In my mind, the resume is a conversation starter. If I look down the list and see the name of a colleague (which happens frequently) its a great topic for conversation. Those conversations can lead to other topics and help me get to know the student. To me personally, that is the most valuable bit of information I get in a live audition. If I’m reviewing a screening video, I usually only look for people I know and if they have dance experience. If they are ok in voice and acting but have more than 4 years of dance, it says something, more than 8 says something else, and less than 1 tells me something else I need to know.

Personally I am not concerned with clubs, community service, or anything non-theatre related. For me it just clutters up the page and gets in the way of the information I would like to see. In general, less is more.

These are from this thread: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1253689-looking-for-input-from-college-reps.html

[mom4bwayboy]

Are you a senior right now? Do you play an instrument? What is your dance, acting and vocal background? Have you written/produced any kind of original work?

When it comes to standing out in the audition it is most important to choose material that showcases YOUR personality/type. Choose songs that sit comfortably in your range - not the extreme top/bottom (unless it’s killer). Choosing “comfortable” material allow you to expend your energies playing yourself at your best. There are plenty of auditionees out there who are trying to push every envelope - thinking THAT will make them stand out. Let the auditors get to know YOU. Let your light shine.

[MTBaritoneMacro]

I’m a junior. I’ve performed in 34 productions(Including an opera, which was fun), I have 4 years of private voice, I’ve been in a dance troupe for 6 years, I have 2 years of acting classes, and I’m an equity membership candidate. I’m in the process of writing a full sketch comedy show for my theatre. And I don’t play an instrument

[MTBaritoneMacro]

This was extremely helpful

[rampions]

@MTBaritoneMacro Like you and like many applicants, my D had a long list of performing credits and lots of classes to detail on her resume. But what she said always got picked up on most during audition chats or interviews was: “Oh, you play the piano and can sight read - great, that’s important.” And that she was in All-State Chorus a couple of years - particularly in a competitive state and had excellent sight reading skills for singing too. Those were the things which consistently got a positive response.

[soozievt]

Just my opinion, and I do agree that the audition itself trumps the resume…but as far as the resume itself…it is not so much WHAT is on the resume, as what you’ve learned along the way from all those experiences and training. So, if you have had training in acting, singing, and dancing, and have experienced being in various types of shows, all that can translate into being able to give a good audition. Training and experience (inc. experience at auditioning itself) helps you do well in an audition. So, it matters in that sense…what you went through to acquire that resume, rather than the list of facts themselves.

But I also agree that the resume is looked at (or they wouldn’t bother to ask for it) and while it is not more important than the audition, it gives them a sense of your background…how much training you have had, which types of training, styles of dance, kinds of theater experiences and roles you have played, who you may have worked with, and other helpful skills. And yes, these things may come up in the audition room. I recall my D saying that at one audition, the auditor mentioned knowing of her voice teacher and asked about that. In another, the person brought up that she had been in All States, etc. And yes, it showed things like being able to play piano and sight read. These things don’t get you in, but it just gives them a picture of who you are.

I wouldn’t do something so you can add it to the resume. I would suggest getting training in the various skills needed in musical theater and also garnering experiences doing theater. It is this training and this experience itself, that will help you be ready to audition and have some level of skill and development of talent to be considered. So, accrue things on the resume for the experiences themselves.