CV
How to write a great resume!
So what is a CV/Resume?
CV stands for Curriculum Vitae also referred to as a Resume.
Essentially, it is a short version of all you have accomplished thus far in your educational and professional career.
The hardest part about writing a CV is making it appeal to your audience (directors and ballet masters/mistresses) while being informative. It is often difficult to decide what is important and what should be left out.
I hope to help you in this process.
Some very important details:
- Full Name
- Nationality
- Age / Date of Birth
- Height
- Telephone number
Let's break these down:
Full name:
This should be your name as it appears in your passport. If you have a separate stage name it would be a good idea to mention this here too.
Nationality:
With some passports, you will require a work visa or permit. Companies generally like to know this information in advance, which makes it a significant piece of information.
Age:
Age is important for some directors but not all. Keep in mind, that it is relevant if you are applying for a Junior Company or School.
Example; Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT) based in Amsterdam has two companies: NDT2 (ages 17 – 23) and NDT1 (ages 24 and older).
Height :
Why is height important?
Simple really… when you audition for a company you will be auditioning for a position, dancing among other dancers. This will determine if they have “short” or “tall” contracts available. A company generally consists of a variety of heights and all positions will need to be filled. Some companies tend to prefer taller dancers, while others shorter. Each director has their own preference. It is always beneficial to research the company before you send your application. Sometimes there are exceptions to the rule so don’t let height deter you from sending your audition email.
Be aware, height could be very important for some directors and it could be a reason for not being invited to audition.
For more on how to research the company look here…
Email:
Your email address needs to be the email you send your application from. Make sure the email you put here is one you have access to at all times. Remember if/when you receive a reply, information about the audition will almost always be via email. Be sure to create a professional email address. Create it with: Gmail, Yahoo, Microsoft outlook, Hotmail just a few examples. Having ballerinasuperstar@gmail.com as your email does not come across as being professional. Instead try to have an email address with your name@gmail.com or stagename@gmail.com
Quick tip: Never forget to check your spam!
Telephone number:
Add a contactable telephone number. It is essential to make sure you add your area code.
Example: 0049 / +49 is the dialing code for Germany.
Now for the fun part...
The next part is broken down into the following categories:
- Professional Experience
- Significant roles performed
- Education/training
- Awards
- References
Professional experience:
Then continue to work through your experience chronologically from the most recent to your first company or professional experience.
Education/training:
Be clear about when and where you went to school.
Any additional training should be included in this section. If you have had private coaching,
Example: Private coaching with [name of coach]
from *begin date* until *end date*
Awards:
Significant roles:
It can be preferable to separate principle and soloist roles alongside creations and different choreographers you may have worked with. Use your discretion.
How you present yourself here is very important.
Be sure to make it clear and easy to comprehend.
However, if you haven’t performed soloist/principal roles yet, don’t stress! Just be sure to add all your experience and performances.
Always work in chronological order.
Something to keep in mind
CV
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