Special Skills for Actor Resume: 50 Examples
Special Skills Are Not an Afterthought
The special skills section at the bottom of your acting resume might seem like filler, but it is one of the sections casting directors scan most carefully. A unique, genuine skill can be the deciding factor that lands you an audition — or even a role — over another actor with similar credits and training.
The key word is "genuine." Every skill you list must be something you can demonstrate confidently if asked, right there in the audition room.
The 50 Skills That Get Actors Hired
Here are fifty specific, castable skills organized by category, along with notes on how to list them effectively.
Languages and Dialects (Skills 1-10)
| # | Skill | How to List It |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spanish (fluent) | Specify level: native, fluent, conversational |
| 2 | French (conversational) | Only list if you can hold a conversation |
| 3 | Mandarin Chinese | Specify spoken, written, or both |
| 4 | American Sign Language | Specify fluency: fluent, conversational, basic |
| 5 | Standard British RP accent | Must be convincing and consistent |
| 6 | Southern American accent | Specify region if possible |
| 7 | New York accent | Should be authentic, not a caricature |
| 8 | Irish accent | A frequently requested accent |
| 9 | Russian accent | In demand for many character roles |
| 10 | Australian accent | Specify the specific type if you can |
The rule for languages: Only list languages where you can perform dialogue convincingly. "Studied French for two years in school" does not qualify.
The rule for accents: You should be able to switch into the accent instantly and maintain it throughout a scene. Record yourself and get honest feedback before listing any accent.
Musical Skills (Skills 11-18)
| # | Skill | How to List It |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Guitar (acoustic and electric) | Specify years of experience |
| 12 | Piano | Specify level: performance, intermediate, basic |
| 13 | Drums | Include if you can play on camera |
| 14 | Singing (baritone, alto, etc.) | Always specify your vocal range |
| 15 | Violin | A visually cinematic instrument |
| 16 | Ukulele | Increasingly popular for commercial work |
| 17 | Harmonica | Quick to learn and surprisingly castable |
| 18 | Beatboxing | Unique and memorable |
The rule for instruments: You should be able to play convincingly on camera. This does not mean you need to be a virtuoso — it means you need to look and sound like someone who actually plays the instrument.
Athletic and Physical Skills (Skills 19-30)
| # | Skill | How to List It |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Basketball | Specify competitive level if applicable |
| 20 | Soccer / Football | Include if you can play convincingly |
| 21 | Tennis | A commonly needed sport for film |
| 22 | Swimming (strong) | Specify distance or competitive background |
| 23 | Rock climbing | Indoor and/or outdoor |
| 24 | Horseback riding (English/Western) | Specify style and experience level |
| 25 | Skateboarding | Increasingly valued in youth-oriented content |
| 26 | Surfing | Valuable for coastal market casting |
| 27 | Yoga (certified instructor) | Specify if certified; otherwise just "practiced" |
| 28 | Boxing / Kickboxing | Specify training background |
| 29 | Gymnastics / Tumbling | Specify level achieved |
| 30 | Running (marathon, sprinting) | Specify type and distance |
Dance (Skills 31-36)
| # | Skill | How to List It |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | Ballet (12 years) | Always include years of training |
| 32 | Jazz dance | Specify proficiency level |
| 33 | Hip hop dance | In high demand for commercial work |
| 34 | Tap dance | A distinctive and marketable skill |
| 35 | Ballroom / Latin dance | Specify styles: waltz, tango, salsa, etc. |
| 36 | Contemporary / Modern dance | Valuable for dramatic and art house projects |
Combat and Stunt Skills (Skills 37-42)
| # | Skill | How to List It |
|---|---|---|
| 37 | Stage combat (SAFD certified) | Include certification level |
| 38 | Martial arts (specify style) | List specific styles: karate, jiu-jitsu, etc. |
| 39 | Fencing (foil, epee, saber) | Specify weapon |
| 40 | Firearms handling (trained) | Only if professionally trained for film |
| 41 | Sword fighting | Specify style and training |
| 42 | Stunt driving | Only if you have professional training |
Unique and Specialized Skills (Skills 43-50)
| # | Skill | How to List It |
|---|---|---|
| 43 | Licensed driver (manual and automatic) | Surprisingly important for on-set logistics |
| 44 | Motorcycle riding (licensed) | Specify type if relevant |
| 45 | Cooking (professional level) | Only if beyond basic home cooking |
| 46 | Juggling (3+ objects) | Specify how many objects |
| 47 | Magic / Card tricks | Great for character-specific roles |
| 48 | Archery | Growing demand from period and fantasy content |
| 49 | Scuba diving (PADI certified) | Include certification level |
| 50 | Valid passport | Crucial for international productions |
Skills to Avoid Listing
Not every ability belongs on your resume. Avoid:
- Skills everyone has — "social media," "typing," "Microsoft Office."
- Vague claims — "good with animals," "fast learner," "team player."
- Skills you cannot demonstrate — if you took one karate class five years ago, do not list martial arts.
- Subjective qualities — "attractive," "funny," "natural leader."
- Irrelevant professional skills — "project management," "data analysis."
- Exaggerated abilities — listing "fluent French" when you know ten phrases will backfire in the audition room.
The Demonstration Test
Before listing any skill, apply this test: if a casting director asked you to demonstrate this skill right now — in the audition room, no preparation — could you do it competently?
- If yes, list it.
- If "maybe, with some practice," do not list it yet. Practice until you can, then add it.
- If no, absolutely do not list it.
Getting caught exaggerating a skill in an audition is worse than not having the skill at all. It undermines your credibility on everything else on your resume.
How to Format Your Skills Section
List skills in a single paragraph, separated by commas, ordered from strongest to most niche:
Example:
"Fluent Spanish (native), Standard British RP accent, guitar (15 years), basketball (varsity), ballet (10 years), hip hop dance, stage combat (SAFD certified), swimming (strong), juggling (4 objects), valid passport, licensed driver (manual)."
Tips:
- Lead with your most impressive or distinctive skills.
- Group related skills together (languages, then sports, then dance, etc.).
- Be specific — "basketball (Division I)" is stronger than "basketball."
- Keep the section to two to three lines. Quality over quantity.
Skills That Are Trending in 2026
Certain skills are particularly in demand right now:
- Accents and dialects — the global nature of streaming content means diverse accents are always needed.
- Martial arts and combat — action content continues to dominate.
- Dance (any style) — musical content is experiencing a resurgence.
- Athletic abilities — sports-related content remains popular.
- ASL and accessibility skills — increasing representation creates demand.
- Horseback riding — period and Western content requires it regularly.
Building New Skills Strategically
If your skills section feels thin, invest in building castable skills:
- Take a dialect class — accents are among the most castable skills you can develop.
- Learn a musical instrument — even intermediate proficiency is useful.
- Train in stage combat — certifications from recognized organizations carry weight.
- Pick up a sport — join a recreational league and develop genuine competence.
- Study a language — conversational fluency in a second language opens doors.
Update your GetActress profile and your resume as you develop new skills. For the complete resume guide, see Acting Resume Template 2026.
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