Theatre CV—Sample, Guide and 25+ Writing Tips

A theatre CV is a one-page document containing all your significant theatrical experiences (stage roles, training, and education), your headshot, your physical description, and your contact information. A theatre CV is a great way to help directors know more about you and decide if you should be cast. There is nowhere to hide in the theatre. There are no favourable camera angles, no repeated takes. A theatre actor needs to have something captivating, something that draws attention right away. A spectacle-lar theatre CV. Something that holds attention from the first act, all the way to the closing scene.

This theatre CV guide will help you get there with:

• A theatre CV template that will let you step on the stage.
• How to format your acting credits on theatre CVs.
• Adjustments to make when writing a theatre CV with no experience.
• Expert hints to increase the chances of getting an audition.

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Need a different acting CV, or you’re considering a range of positions? See our CV guides:

• Acting CV Template
• Dance CV Template
• Film CV Template
• Production Assistant CV Template
• Artist CV/Artist CV Template
• Music CV Template
• Journalist CV Example

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our CV examples for any job.

Theatre CV Template You Can Copy and Use

Here is how to make sure your theatre CV parachutes you into a lead role: 

1. Start The Prologue: Theatre CV Format

Theatre CVs are specific in that they do not have as much text or descriptions as other CVs, but more lists of credits, skills, and characteristics. Your CV format must be uniform and organised. By keeping things uniform, you make your theatre CV easily searchable and digestible.

Here’s how to do just that:

Theatre CV Format

• Write a CV profile at the top of your CV to stand out.
• List your lead roles first in every category, and rank down in terms of importance. 
• Use legible CV fonts like Calibri or Garamond.
• Set 1-inch CV marginsand drop a space between the sections.
• This is a one-page CV. 
• Order your CV sections like this: Header, Physical Attributes, Theatre Roles, Film & TV, Education, Skills.
• Save your CV as a PDF, unless specified otherwise. 

Now let’s work on the script.

Expert Hint: In many places, you will still have to staple your theatre CV to the back of a 8x10” headshot. All the same, it’s not advised to go below a 10pt font size. If you have that much experience, you can afford to edit it down.

2. Write a Tempting Theatre CV Profile

How should you start a CV? Write a CV profile. This short paragraph at the top of your theatre CV works like a film teaser. It will make the casting director want to see more.

Use:

1. One adjective (passionate, talented, award-winning)
2. Job title (actor)
3. Years of experience (4+, 5+)
4. Best few roles and awards

These theatre CV examples show how:

Theatre CV Profile

See that?

The first of those theatre CV samples stands out. It’s got details that show you’re the next Julie Andrews.

Expert Hint: Write the profile on your theatre CV last. This way you’ll have lots of inventory to pick from.

3. List Your Physical Attributes

Some roles are tailor-made. Others require an actor to put in work to finally settle into character. Increase your chances of getting the right role by listing your physical info right below the profile: height, weight, eye and hair colour. Include your voice type if you are writing a musical theatre CV. 

Right below, enter the agency or union you are affiliated with.

Theatre CV—Physical Attributes

4. Recite Your Acting Credits On Your Theatre CV

A theatre CV contains much less elaboration and description, and far more hard details. Split your experience section into two: “Theatre” and “Film / TV”, and list your acting credit by most major role first. List the title of the production, your role, the theatre venue or production studio, and the director’s name.

This is about showing experience, adaptability and variety, not a place to talk about how getting into one particular character changed your whole life. Use one bullet point per credit, and list any awards or achievements for it in an appropriate, separate section.

This excerpt from a theatre CV example nails it:

Acting Credits on a Theatre CV

Follow this format of listing credits and you will make it easy for the reader to scan through and digest the information. Show your versatility and adaptability.

What if you are writing a CV with no experience?

List credits from productions and scene work in acting school.

Expert Hint: It can pay off to prepare a targeted CV. Consider the profile of the theatre you are applying to and the roles you may be cast in, and use this as criteria to decide which credits to list. You should also have different headshots for this purpose: theatrical (serious), commercial (more goofy), or character (for specialties).

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5. Make Your Education a Reason to Cast You

Your credits are important, but your theatre CV is going to be very one-dimensional if you do not record your education and training properly. This is not just your formal university education, but also any additional training: acting, dancing, singing, performance art, improv. Anything that shows how much care you take to develop yourself fully and comprehensively.

If you have been on the stage longer than Hugh Jackman, just briefly mention your degree, school name, and graduation year. If you’re struggling for credits, you can elaborate a little on your education and training and extend your CV education section further! List your GPA, any school productions you have taken part in, achievements and awards.

Below, make a separate list of the coaching you have taken in different disciplines, and who was your teacher.

This theatre CV example shows how:

Theatre CV Template—Education

If you have studied under a famous name, make sure to mention this and bring it to the forefront. Just don’t be surprised when that person is asked about you. They better remember.

6. Star-Stud Your Theatre CV With Added Sections

Though you might be as multi-talented as Tom Cruise, in the context of a theatrical CV only two types of bonus CV sections make sense: awards and a CV skills section. List both in two separate bullet point lists.

When putting down your skills, exercise caution:Don’t just copy and paste anything. First of all, make sure it’s relevant, second of all, make sure you really got it if you’re gonna be forced to perform it on stage.

Theatre Skills for CV

• Dance: (list types)
• Singing: (list types)
• Accents: (list types)
• Languages: (list types)
• Sports: (list types)
• Voice: (list types)
• Stamina
• Improv
• Hosting
• Mime
• Modelling
• Diction 
• Reciting
• Monologues

These two theatrical CV examples show you clearly the difference it can make:

Theatre CV—Extra Sections

Once again, use it to display versatility that isn’t shown through your credits.Add dimensions to your character and display the tools you have at your disposal.

One final step—

Write a theatre cover letter. There’s no better way to show your passion.

Double your impact with a matching CV and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.

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Key Points

To make sure your theatre CV gets you an audition:

• Exercise the CV format guidelines—margins, fonts, 1 page. Check if they want you to submit the classic way: on the back of an 8x10’ headshot.
• Use our theatrical CV template as a prototype for your own. It’s organised and will display your credits and education in a prominent manner. 
• Reel off your acting credits—Theatre first, then Film & TV. Most major roles first in each section. 
• Add more dimensions and display your toolkit with the right theatre skills and a strong education section. Make sure they know you are ready for whatever is in the script.

Got questions on how to write a great theatrical CV? Did we help you get your musical theatre CV right? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply.