WRITING YOUR VITA

Vita-(singular; pronounced vee-ta) a brief autobiographical sketch.

Objective: In this activity, I will take head shots of each member of the class, and you will write a personal summary of your past, present, and future experiences in the performing arts.

Directions: Answer the questions below and combine your responses into a well organized, grammatically correct paragraph. Use third person point of view to discuss yourself.

Paragraph format: Typed, double-spaced, 12 point, Times New Roman

Length: As long as it takes to summarize all of your information

  1. Remember to include your name in boldface at the very beginning of the paragraph. Please use all capital letters, and put your character’s name in plain type in parentheses (since we are not doing a show currently, just put the generic term ensemble)

Example: MRS. HUGUS (Director)

  1. State how many weeks, months, or years you have been performing, and list the types of performances in which you have been involved (acting, singing, dancing, etc.). HINT: Any time you have performed something in front of an audience, you should include it.
  1. Tell us where you have performed.
  1. List academic achievements to show your well-roundedness, if you wish.
  1. Include any special awards you may have received.
  1. Describe any other performing arts classes/courses you have taken. Include where and when you took these.
  1. What are your future plans? Do you plan on continuing your acting career?
  1. Would you like to give a special thanks to anyone?
  1. Do you play any musical instruments?
  1. Can you think of a “claim to fame” you have experienced? Any interesting encounters with famous people?
  1. Have you been in any films or commercials?
  1. What have been your favorite roles in the past?

Use the following model for assistance in getting started.

MRS. HUGUS (Director) has been teaching Theatre at Seneca Valley for two years. She has also been directing the Thespian Play for the past 15 years, including productions such as Up the Down Staircase, Midsummer/Jersey, andLaw and Order: Fairy Tale Unit. Mrs. Hugus is also the stage manager for the All-School Musical, helping to produce such shows as Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors, and The Wizard of Oz. Besides Theatre, Mrs. Hugus has been teaching English 10for 17 years. In her free time, she enjoys watching other people perform, sewing, scrapbooking, and spending time with her family. She would like to give a shout out to all her current and former Theatre and English students and would also like to send love to her three boys and her wonderful husband, Matthew.

Tips to Maintain Consistency:

  • Capitalize specific courses. (Performing Arts, Theatre, Drama)
  • Spell out grades (seventh grade, ninth grade, freshman year).
  • Italicize play titles, movies, book titles, etc.
  • Write numbers one through ten as words; write numbers above 10 as numerals (i.e., three, 16).
  • Please proofread for spelling, grammar, and mechanics.