- Ruth Kogan
- Nov 13
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 22
Ready to showcase your best work? Start building your portfolio →
An acting portfolio is your personal spotlight, something that showcases your talent, range, and professionalism. This makes it more than a resume, it’s your calling card for casting directors, agents and producers.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn exactly how to make an acting portfolio that captures attention, reflects your unique personality and opens doors to new opportunities.
Whether you’re a drama student building your first portfolio, a theatre performer transitioning to film or a working actor refining your brand, creating a portfolio will set you apart.
TL;DR: How to make an acting portfolio
Short on time? Here’s what you’ll find in this guide:
Step | Summary |
1. Gather your acting materials | Include a professional headshot, resume, showreel, and bio. |
2. Write a strong actor bio | Highlight your background, training, and standout roles. |
3. Design your online portfolio | Use a sleek, performance-focused template (try Wix Actor Templates). |
4. Add achievements and press | Feature reviews, awards, and notable performances. |
5. Keep your portfolio updated | Refresh your photos, credits, and reels regularly. |
How to make an acting portfolio in just 5 steps
Your acting portfolio should reflect your professionalism, personality and versatility. The following five steps will help you build a portfolio that not only impresses industry professionals but also tells your story authentically.
01. Choose your acting materials
We suggest beginning with the absolute essentials to include:
Professional headshots
Acting resume
Demo reel
Contact information
Headshots: Choose 2–3 professional images that capture your acting range — for instance, one friendly/commercial look, one dramatic/theatrical and one neutral. Your headshots should be high-quality, well-lit and up to date.
Resume: Your acting resume should include your contact details, union status (if applicable), training, education, notable roles, directors you’ve worked with, and special skills (such as accents, dance, or combat training). Keep this concise but detailed.
Showreel: A 1–2 minute video highlighting your best on-screen performances is crucial. Include short clips that demonstrate emotion, dialogue delivery and versatility.
Bonus materials: You can also include stage photos, self-tape samples or voiceover clips for additional depth.
Being able to showcase your acting experience and triumps in one place, is one of the main reasons for why you need a portfolio.
02. Write a strong actor bio
Your bio is you chance to really show who you are as an actor. In one or two paragraphs, share who you are as an actor, your background and your passion for performance.
It should always be authentic, casting directors want to feel a sense of your character beyond the roles you play.
Focus on your training (acting schools, workshops, notable coaches), your specialties (comedy, classical theatre, film), and key career highlights. If you’ve appeared in festivals, commercials or student films, mention those too.
For example:“I’m a London-based actor with a passion for emotionally-driven storytelling. Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, I’ve appeared in stage productions, indie films, and commercials, bringing empathy and energy to every role.”
03. Create and design your acting portfolio
The first step to making an acting portfolio is to choose a portfolio builder. Portfolio builders allow you to easily build a portfolio from scratch, without any coding or design experience.
A portfolio maker, like Wix, offers:
In-built web hosting, website security
A domain name (customizable with a paid plan and free for a year)
Portfolio templates, including acting website templates
Drag and drop editor, to customize your portfolio easily
You should include in your acting portfolio the following:
About me: Your bio and a professional headshot.
Gallery: Photos from stage productions, headshots, and behind-the-scenes shots.
Showreel page: Embedded videos of your performances or demo reels.
Resume: Downloadable PDF and web-view version.
Contact page: Include links to your representation, email and social media profiles.
Some design tips to keep in mind, for portfolio websites, include — focusing on a minimal design, let your acting work shine through. Consider using neutral colors and a clean typography to complement this. Keep your portfolio organized and specifically avoid unnecessary design effects that will distract from your work.
Be inspired by this collection of:
04. Add your achievements and any press coverage
You can only improve your acting portfolio by adding a section for reviews, achievements and media mentions. Why? Because they add valuable social proof and show that your work is recognized within the industry.
If you’ve received nominations or awards, include their logos or certificates in your portfolio. For press coverage, link directly to reputable sources or embed short review excerpts (with permission of course).
You should also include testimonials from directors, coaches, or co-stars — their professional perspective adds authenticity and helps casting teams see your reliability and work ethic.
You might also think about adding a Current Projects section where you highlight upcoming performances, tours or releases. This shows you’re active and engaged in your craft.
05. Update your portfolio
An acting career evolves constantly, so your portfolio should too. It's a good idea, for example, to update your headshots every 12–18 months or whenever your appearance changes significantly. Replace older acting footage with new work that better represents your current style and range. Creating a great professional portfolio doesn't stop once its live.
Keep your credits list current and remove early amateur projects if they no longer reflect your level of experience. Regularly refreshing your portfolio signals professionalism and growth — two traits every casting professional values.
You might also add seasonal updates, such as new theatre productions, short films, or social media features. This consistency keeps your personal acting brand dynamic and visible.
Acting portfolio examples (all built with Wix)
With this content-packed one-page website, actor and writer Hiro Kanagawa manages to craft a professional result that truly shows off his skills. The floating menu is pinned to the top of the page, so that you can easily transfer between sections when scrolling down the site. Hiro has also paid attention to small details, such as adding a downloadable PDF of his CV and links to relevant articles about him and his past performances. You’ll also notice a ‘Back to Top’ button that appears at the bottom of the page - a useful navigation practice for long-scrolling websites.
The split-screen website layout on actress Edit Holländer’s homepage gives her the opportunity to display a photo of herself alongside a short description. Paired with a clean white border and a simple sans-serif typography choice, the overall look is clean and inviting. On top of the other actor website essentials, Edit has also included references. Adding testimonials to your website presents you as trustworthy, letting visitors get to know you further and offering a better understanding of your strengths and personality.
Creating another type of portfolio?
How to make an acting portfolio FAQ
How long should an acting reel be?
Aim for a 1–2 minute reel that highlights your range without overwhelming the viewer. Focus on your strongest clips — quality over quantity. Always include clear audio and good lighting.
Do I need an online and printed acting portfolio?
It's probably a good idea to have. A digital portfolio makes it easy to share links with agents and casting directors, while a printed version (binder or presentation folder) is ideal for in-person auditions and meetings.
How often do I need to update my portfolio?
Update your photos and credits every few months or after major roles. Keeping it current ensures you’re always presenting your most accurate and polished image to the industry.
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