Acting Cover Letter Example

Actors portray characters either on-screen or in person to entertain audiences. So someone who knows how to follow direction and bring a script to life is in high demand for roles in television, film, and theater.

Convince a casting director you’re worth an audition by highlighting your acting talents in an exceptional cover letter.

Follow these three tips for writing an acting cover letter (also known as a resume cover page) to land your breakout role:

Highlight acting skills

As an actor, you’ll spend most of your time rehearsing, memorizing lines, and collaborating with various industry professionals — whether it’s for an audition or on set.

Although there aren’t many formal requirements for acting, a good balance of hard and soft skills is vital for booking jobs and performing.

For instance, people skills, creativity, and communication skills are some soft skills that go hand-in-hand with your background or training in theater arts.

Here’s a list of skills to highlight in your acting cover letter:

• Interpersonal skills
• Adaptability
• Confidence
• Problem-solving skills
• Dedication
• Positive attitude
• Time management skills
• Memorization
• Discipline
• Improvisation
• Speech clarity
• Social perceptiveness
• Physical stamina
• Fluency in different languages
• Knowledge of drama techniques
• Training in performance arts

Open with a strong cover letter introduction

With many actors fighting for the same role, knowing how to capture a casting director’s attention right from the start boosts your chances of getting a callback.

Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your cover letter to make hiring managers interested in learning more about you.

Here’s how to write a strong introduction to your acting cover letter:

• Lead with an impressive accomplishment to highlight skills or experiences that are relevant to the role you’re applying for. For example, you might mention your ability to mimic a Scouse accent if you’re putting your name forward to play a role in a Beatles documentary.
• Keep it concise and include strong acting-related words to make your statements more impactful. The best cover letters are typically 250–400 words in length, although even shorter cover letters are effective.
• Research the company so you can tailor your cover letter to its needs. For instance, if a network is restructuring and kicking off with a new lineup of television series, address this in your cover letter by talking about how you can bring a breath of fresh air.

Your cover letter introduction should be compelling and succinct. Only include skills and experiences that position you as a great fit for the role.

Show your passion for acting

Aside from showcasing your talents in your cover letter, another thing that’s sure to impress a casting director is your commitment to delivering an outstanding performance.

In your cover letter, emphasize your passion for acting to show them you’re a formidable candidate who’ll be fantastic to work with.

Here’s how to show your passion in your acting cover letter:

• Show your enthusiasm for the role. Directors and producers are always looking to cast people who are passionate about what they do and willing to put in the work to perfect a performance.
• Don’t just say you’re interested in the role, explain why.
• Connect a personal passion to the job and use a storytelling approach to get a casting director interested in meeting you. For example, if you’re applying for a voice actor role for an afterschool series’ revival, talk about how you have fond memories growing up of rushing home to tune in to that series with your siblings.