It’s one of the most daunting tasks for any performer in a show—writing your biography! Yes, tell the audience everything you can about yourself, in a paragraph or less! Sounds like a game, right? But that’s the task every performer has to go through while in a show.
But what exactly goes into a biography for a Playbill? How do you know if yours is any good? And how can you improve yours for future shows? While there’s no tried and true formula really, I do like to go by a few rules while writing a biography.
First-always thank the theater for having you “Sami is thrilled to be gracing the (insert theater name)’s stage for the (however many times you’ve performed with this company)!” It gives them a shout, and makes the company look good to be thanked.
Next, always treat your biography as if someone like an agent might be reading it. You really only want to put important stuff in there. Did you graduate with your BFA? Say that, it might even work to say when you’ve graduated. Include only the roles that you really, truly enjoyed and want to showcase.
Did you win any awards? Absolutely put that in there! “Sami also received an award for ‘Funniest Female College Student 2009’ for her work in stand-up comedy”. But absolutely show case any form of award or recognition you’ve gotten from the theater community.
You might also like to say a special thank you to your parents, friends, relatives, and supporters who pay money to come see you do what you do. That way, not only will you be paying due respect to the people that love you, you will also be showing people that you have people behind you that support you in your endeavors.
And finally, thank your director. No, really. Thank the director. Without the director, or casting agency, or whoever it is that put you in that position, they deserve the recognition for putting you in your position. People in that position like to feel appreciated and to see you thank them publicly will endear you to them.
As daunting of a task as it is to write something about yourself in a paragraph or less, keeping these tips in mind will absolutely help and guide you!
Happy writing!