Question about how far back to go on my resume.?

Question:I have acting and singing credits dating back to elementary school, some of which are pretty big, but I am now in college and about to start looking for more professional work and representation. I don't have a ton of recent credits. Should I keep the earlier stuff on there or nix it?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I have acting and singing credits dating back to elementary school, some of which are pretty big, but I am now in college and about to start looking for more professional work and representation. I don't have a ton of recent credits. Should I keep the earlier stuff on there or nix it?

If you had a leading roll in a good show when you were younger then by all means put it on your resume. Other than that you should stick with shows you've done in the past 5-10 years. You really only want 10-12 shows on your resume unless they ask for more otherwise the resume begin's to look cramped and it becomes an eye sore.

My advice: Get a few more recent credits and stick to work you did from about 15 years old on. You only want work as an adult, so childhood credits are of limited value. The only early work worth mentioning is training (dance, vocal, etc.).

your not a child anymore. do not use childhood things. I heard ten years once. mine goes back 7 (it shouldn't given I'm only almost fifteen) but it does. youve changed since you were in elementary school so that really can't be taken into consideration for anything more than experience and even then it really can't be because elementary school stuff is different than college stuff. go from middle school at the latest.

You can keep them or capsulize them in a "bio"

While IMDB doesn't list all Zac Efron's community theater, they talk about it in his bio and show his TV back to his first role on Firefly.

Your credits demonstrate your acting range. Since you have a little experience put in a statement about your wish to be a polished professional performer.

I would disagree with everyone and say that these experiences (especially your larger roles) have shaped you as a performer. Most directors ask that you limit your resume to one page, but I would suggest listing as many of the larger roles as you can fit.