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Biography Guidelines for Theatre Programs

Your professional biography in the program is your opportunity to tell people about YOU. It's also a Sinclair Theatre requirement to accept a role that's offered.
 
Please submit a 70-word biography with the following:

Hit the highlights of your theatre experience. List favorite roles or shows instead of ALL of them! Tell about your training and awards. Identify yourself as a student and tell your future plans. Please do not begin: “(Your name) is excited to be appearing on the Blair Hall Stage….
 
Your biography is very important to patrons who come see the show. Some patrons will read your bio before the show to prepare for the performance to see if they know anyone and others will review at intermission because they are impressed by your performance or technical work and want to know more about YOU. Who knows, there may be directors and producers in the audience looking for someone to fill a position they have now or will have in the future. OR someone who can offer you a scholarship!
 
It is recommended that you avoid using a majority of your promotional space thanking people, fellow cast or crew. Thank them in person or save it for your Tony acceptance speech!

  • Include your name and role first.
  • Write in third person. After listing your name first, you may use he/she, him/her or even your first name for other references to yourself.
  • Make sure all plays mentioned are in italics (include roles you played if possible)
  • Try using a clever adjective or two: madcap, cross-dressing,  (see example below)
  • Avoid over using words like: thrilled, excited, debut, main stage (see example below)
  • Learn to spell “theatre” and other words. Use spell check.
  • List your major: Performance or Theatre Technology
  • Tell what your future plans are. Example: She plans to transfer to Ohio State to pursue a BFA in Theatre Technologies. Not: She’ll earn her BFA from Ohio State.
  • Be proud of your accomplishments, plans, and progress toward graduation.


Examples:

  • You may have seen Name Goes Here’s (Ensemble) madcap seducing, cross-dressing escapades as Hermidas in February's Triumph of Love. Other favorite past roles include Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Emily Webb in Our Town and Cathy in Cat's Paw.
  • Name Goes Here (Assistant Lighting Designer) continues to light up Dayton.  With a background in event production, this is XXXXXX’s debut as an assistant designer.  Last year XXXXXX held the position of Master Electrician (a title he continues to carry this season), but is stretching his theatrical chops by designing lights.  Be sure to see his light design of Richard III at Blair Hall this winter!    

 
Please remember to spell check and paste your bio in an email to Patti.Celek@sinclair.edu.  Also copy box.office@sinclair.edu. 
 
Headshots: Headshots are required for all actors, designers, and stage management team (SM, ASM, PA). No biographies will be published without headshots – it’s both or nothing – departmental policy. If you do not provide an approved bio/headshot, it will be noted in the program: Information not provided by actor/technician so it is clear that it was not accidentally left out but YOUR decision not to comply with company guidelines.
 
HEADSHOTS WILL BE TAKEN BEFORE A SCHEDULED REHEARSAL: your stage manager will let you know when. Remember to please dress appropriately for a headshot (e.g., no t-shirts). Also, you may want to consider having your hair and makeup done professionally. You may provide your own headshot if it is sent electronically before the headshot photo shoot and approved.