Headshots are photographs of your head and shoulders.  Actors are required to have both a headshot and resume when submitting for a role.  Headshot used to be black and white, but the current expectation is that headshots are full-color.  Make sure the picture is current and looks like you.  If you age or change your hairstyle, you will need to get new headshots.  Bring several different clothing options to the photoshoot and have pictures taken wearing different shirts.  Don’t wear distracting patterns or colors.  Keep your outfit simple so the focus is on your face. An acting resume should include your contact information, body specifications, experience, training, and special skills.  List your most recent roles first and work your way backward.  Your name should be at the top of the resume and in the largest font. If you are a member of an acting union list the abbreviation for the union after your name. If you have an agent, they will give you a stamp to add to your resume to replace your personal contact information. List your height, weight, hair and eye color, and make sure that it is accurate. Never lie on your resume.  Only list work you have actually completed. Find the auditions in your area and go to any which are offering a role you would fit.  Auditioning itself is a good way to continue working on your skills.  It is an opportunity to perform for influential casting directors and artistic directors.  You can find auditions through postings like backstage.com, on the “call board” at the AEA office, or your agent can search and submit on your behalf.  Be prepared to deal with a lot of rejection.  There are any number of reasons you may not be the best fit for a particular role, and there are a lot of other actors looking to make it on Broadway.  The competition is abundant and you will audition many times without being offered a role.  Treat every audition seriously.  Even if you are not a perfect match for this role you are auditioning for, you can impress the casting agent or artistic director who may then call you in for another role in the future. The best way for Broadway producers to see what you are capable of is to see you in action.  Perform onstage off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway on your way to Broadway.  Start making a name for yourself as a performer to get closer to Broadway. A bio, or biography, should consist of about four of five sentences and highlight your past work as an actor.  It is a little blurb which allows the audience to learn more about you and your career.  If you have a lot of acting credits, choose four or five of the top performances or roles, and mention that the ones listed are some of your favorite roles to date.  Although you will be writing the bio yourself, you should use third person vernacular like “he” and “she.” List your achievements, credits and performance history using full sentences rather than a literal list. You can include your training, and some personal information to endear yourself to the reader. You can also list film and television credits in a theatrical bio.
Buy professional headshots. Build an acting resume. Go to auditions. Perform in plays and musicals. Write a bio for play programs.