How to Write a Dance Resume (+ Template & Examples)
If you are pursuing your dream of becoming a professional dancer, it is essential for you to prepare a well-formed dance resume.
A dance resume varies from a traditional job resume so it is important to understand what to include, a proper resume format, and how to make your best qualities shine through. In this article, we are walking you through how to write a dance resume for dance auditions, providing you with a dance resume template, and sharing resume examples as we go along.
Related: How to Become a Professional Dancer
Importance of your dance resume
All professional dance auditions whether it be to become an NBA dancer, an NFL cheerleader, or even a top collegiate dancer, will require a well-written and well-formatted dance resume. A top resume will not only reflect your relevant dance experience but also help in grabbing the attention of your dance judges. As much as a great dance resume will help you to stand out, one with little time and effort put in can also negatively affect the way that the dance judges perceive you (typos, bad formatting, and more.)
What to include in your dance resume
Personal information
Education and training
Current occupation
Professional dance experience
Dance experience
Related awards and achievements
References
It is important to note that you will need to include an 8x10 dance headshot with your dance resume. If you have not yet prepared any headshots, make sure that you get professional dance headshots taken for the dance audition to accompany your dance resume.
What not to include
Work-related job experience
Unrelated hobbies or awards
Job references that do not correlate to the dance audition
How dance resumes vary from work-related resumes
Although your dance resume format may be similar to a professional resume, the two are very different. In your dance resume for auditions, you need to focus on dance-related experience only. Here are a few specifics on how a dance resume differs from a professional resume:
A focus solely on dance-related experience
You do not necessarily need an objective or to list out skills
No more than one page (front and back)
Dance related references
Short, simple, to the point
How to write a resume for dance auditions
1. Understand the position that you are applying for as a dancer
Before starting your dance resume, list out all relevant information on the dance position that you are creating your resume for.
2. List out your dance background
Write out any and all of your relevant dance experience in relation to the dance position. Start with your general education, dance education, and your current occupation. From there, write down:
Professional dance experience you may have
General dance experience (dance teams, cheerleading teams, training, performances, relevant dance background)
Dance awards, achievements, and honors
Dance-specific references you may want to include
Now that you have written out all of your relevant dance experience and understand the requirements needed for the dance team, go through your list and make sure to choose the most relevant information for the dance team that you are auditioning for.
3. Choose a template
Although a dance resume is different than a professional resume, they have similarities in resume formatting. You want to choose a resume template that is both professional and clean. Avoid bright colors and choose a clean font throughout the resume. Avoid any font for your resume that is larger than 11/12pt.
Make sure to choose a resume template that allows you to section out your resume categories as listed below.
Dance Resume Categories
4. Personal information
Start your resume with the most up-to-date information on yourself in the header. This information should include your first and last name, address, email address, and phone number. Make sure that your name stands out and is in a larger font than the rest of the resume font size.
5. Education/trade
For dance team auditions, you will want to share your education and/or trade. Professional dance teams like to know about your life outside of the dance studio and your motivations. As with a professional resume, list your college education or other form of trade.
This should include the name of your school, what you are studying or studied, and the date ranges.
This is also a great place to put in any study abroad experiences or dance education.
6. Current occupation
Professional dance teams also love to know about your career path. Share what it is you do for work outside of dance. Maybe you are a full-time employee with a company, own a business, or are a current full-time student.
7. Professional/semi-professional experience
This is where you want to list any professional or semi-professional dance experience. This can include former professional or semi-professional dance teams and any other forms of professional experience in the dance industry you may have.
8. Dance experience
List out any relevant dance experience that may not necessarily be deemed “professional.” For instance, maybe you danced for your high school dance team, you trained at a dance studio growing up, or currently teach dance classes.
9. Dance awards and achievments
This section showcases any dance accolades that you have received, setting you apart from other dancers auditioning. If you are a vastly experienced dancer with countless awards and honors, list only the most notable that relate to the dance position.
10. References
The dance team that you are auditioning for may note how many references they would like to see on your dance resume. Generally speaking, you want to add no less than three dance-relevant resume references. You will want to add a variation of references that reflect different aspects of yourself that you want to share with the dance judges.
For instance, you may want to list a former dance coach, one of your dance studio teachers, and a current or former manager at your job.
With such a variation of references you are providing insight into how you are on a dance team, in the studio, and in the workplace.
Dance Resume Template
[ First name, Last name ]
[ Address ]
[ Email, Phone Number ]
Education
[ School name/workshop/institution, Dates attended ]
[ Degree/Degree acquired ]
Occupation
[ Company name, Dates employed ]
[ Brief description of job duties ]
Professional Experience
[ Dance team name/Job title, Location, Dates employed ]
[ Description ]
Dance Experience
[ Title, Location, Dates ]
[ Description ]
Awards and Achievments
Notable and relevant awards and achievements
References
[ Name, Phone Number, Email ]
[ Reference description ]
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