How to List Special Skills on an Acting Résumé

Which special skills to include on your actor résumé, how to organize them, and when they book you commercial and voiceover roles.

By Greg James Blount, founder of Green Room Acting Studio · Published 2025-12-10 · Updated 2025-12-10

Actor résumé special skills examples grouped into languages, athletics, music, movement, and licenses with specific proficiency labels — Group special skills by type and state an honest proficiency level so casting teams can quickly find demonstrable abilities.

Special skills can be the difference between getting a callback and getting passed over — especially for commercial casting, voiceover work, and action roles.

What Counts as a Special Skill on an Acting Résumé?

Languages and accents — fluent Spanish, conversational French, British RP, Southern US, New York
Sports and athletics — horseback riding, martial arts, swimming, skiing, gymnastics
Musical abilities — piano, guitar, sight-reading, singing (specify range)
Combat and movement — stage combat, dance (ballet, hip-hop, tap), juggling
Licenses and certifications — driver's license (manual transmission), motorcycle, pilot

How to Organize Special Skills

Group related skills together under clear subheadings. Be honest about proficiency — "conversational French" is better than claiming fluency you don't have. Casting directors verify skills more often than you'd think.

When Special Skills Book Roles

Commercial auditions frequently request actors with specific skills — a car commercial needs real drivers, a sports ad needs athletes, a pharmaceutical spot may need medical professionals. Having skills clearly listed means casting can find you in database searches.

The Actor's Résumé Builder includes a dedicated special skills section with suggested categories, making it effortless to present your full range of abilities.