Acting Cover Letter Examples (Text Format)
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Samantha Stone
Actress | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | New York, NY 12345 1
January 1, 2022
Cole Thomas
Director
Lyric Theater
(987) 654-3210
[email protected]
Dear Mr. Thomas,
During my time with Cherry Lane Theater, I achieved high praise from audiences and critics for my performances as Elphaba in Wicked and as Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar. I hope to bring similar success to your production of Rent in the role of Mimi.
Lyric Theater’s reputation as one of New York’s greatest artistic venues is what drives me to audition for this production. I believe that my experience as a lead actress within musical theater will allow me to bring your directorial vision to life based on the following achievements from my career:
- Achieved positive responses from critics in local newspapers for performance in Cherry Lane Theater’s production of Wicked in the role of Elphaba
- Delivered emotional performances in supporting roles as Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar and as Ali in Mamma Mia!
- Performed in Columbia University’s production of Moulin Rouge as Christine
I hope to schedule an audition with you to showcase how my dynamic acting skills can bring emotional resonance to your production of Rent. You may contact me via phone or email at your convenience. I appreciate both your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Samantha Stone
Stella Cortez
Actress | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | Los Angeles, CA 12345
January 1, 2022
Carol Jackson
Director
Starlight Productions
(987) 654-3210
[email protected]
Dear Ms. Jackson,
I’ve been featured in numerous independent films across a wide range of genres throughout my acting career. My performance in the lead role as Anna in Robert Grayson’s debut film, Searching for Eurydice, was highly regarded by critics for the emotional nuance I brought to the part. I am confident that my experience within the independent film circuit will aid the success of your new film.
The impressive writing and directing style of your independent film, The Song of Sorrow, is what drives me to audition for your new production. I believe that my acting style and film experience makes me an ideal fit for this project based on career accomplishments:
- Received nomination for Best Lead Actress from the Independent Spirit Awards for performance as Anna in Searching for Eurydice
- Nominated for Best Supporting Actress from the Independent Spirit Awards for the role as Harriot in Lisa Goldman’s production of Last Light in the West
- Achieved recognition for supporting role as Claire in Christine Morrison’s drama film, My Night with Lya, which aired on the Sundance Channel
I would like to schedule an audition to show further how my expertise as an independent film actress can benefit your new project. Feel free to contact me via phone or email at your convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Stella Cortez
Edward Brown
Actor | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | Atlanta, GA 12345
January 1, 2022
Hector Johnson
Casting Director
CBS
(987) 654-3210
[email protected]
Dear Mr. Jackson,
Throughout my career, I’ve achieved success in various recurring television roles. My proudest achievement was my performance as James Robinson in the limited true-crime series Hades, which received a positive response in critical reviews. My versatility as a television actor will allow me to excel in your new television production.
The critical acclaim of Saleem Roberts’ Running from Truth is what draws me to audition for a role in this new series. I believe that my dynamic acting style will allow me to deliver powerful performances for your production based on my past achievements:
- Received nomination for Best Lead Actress from the Independent Spirit Awards for performance as Anna in Searching for Eurydice
- Nominated for Best Supporting Actress from the Independent Spirit Awards for the role as Harriot in Lisa Goldman’s production of Last Light in the West
- Achieved recognition for supporting role as Claire in Christine Morrison’s drama film, My Night with Lya, which aired on the Sundance Channel
I would like to schedule an audition to show further how my expertise as an independent film actress can benefit your new project. Feel free to contact me via phone or email at your convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Edward Brown
Acting Cover Letter Checklist
An excellent acting cover letter has five main elements:
1. Heading. Make this information stand out by using a stylized template. Be sure your heading includes:
- Your name, title, and contact info
- The date you sent the letter
- The addressee’s details
2. Salutation. Greet the hiring manager by Mr. or Ms. [Last Name]. If you can’t find the hiring manager’s name, use “Dear Hiring Manager” instead.
3. Introduction. You want to grab the casting director’s attention by highlighting one or two of your strongest professional roles. If you achieved an award nomination, such as a Tony Award, you should mention it in the opening paragraph. This will help you attract interest from production companies and encourage the reader to learn more about your experience.
4. Body paragraphs. In the subsequent sections, you should continue to provide insights into your acting career and performances. Consider using a list of bullet points here to break up the monotony of the text. You may also want to mention one of the director’s past productions if you’re familiar with their work, but be careful not to allocate too many sentences to this, as you want to maintain their focus on your career achievements.
5. Closing section. To create a strong closing paragraph, you need to include a call to action (CTA) to invite the casting director to contact you for an audition. This will demonstrate both your confidence and interest in the role. Don’t forget to thank the reader for their time in the final sentence of the paragraph.
Introduction
Casting directors receive numerous inquiries from actors, actresses, and agents on a daily basis. To differentiate yourself from the competition, you need to open your cover letter with a defining performance that showcases your acting experience. If the role resulted in an award or nomination, this should be included in the introductory paragraph. Below, you’ll find an example to help you craft a strong introduction for your acting cover letter.
Good
Playing the role of Javert in Gershwin Theater’s production of Les Miserables is my proudest achievement as an actor. My performance was highly regarded by critics and resulted in a nomination for best supporting actor in the Tony Awards. I believe that I can achieve similar success in your production of Jesus Christ Superstar.
Bad
As an experienced actor, I believe that I have all the skills and experience needed to succeed in the lead role of your play. I’m interested in a leading part and have long been interested in performing at your prestigious theater.
Body Paragraphs
Your body paragraphs should continue to feature acting performances that will attract attention from casting directors. Using a list of bullet points to highlight some of the productions you’ve been a part of will help to break up the text on the page. You should also consider mentioning the organization’s reputation or referencing a previous production that the director has worked on. This will show your familiarity with their prior work and provide insights into how your acting style fits with the new project. Below, you’ll find an example to help you craft the body paragraphs in your cover letter.
Good
Winter Garden Theater’s reputation for outstanding stage performance is what draws me to audition for this opportunity. I’m confident that my extensive background in musical theater will allow me to excel in the role of Christine for your company’s production of the Phantom of the Opera based on the following achievements from my experience:
- Achieved a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for performance as Victoria in Lyric Theater’s production of Cats
- Nominated for Best Supporting Actress for the role as Anita in West Side Story
- Received positive reception from critics for performances as Maureen in Rent and as Dorthy in the Wizard of Oz
Bad
Your theater’s production of the Lion King is an opportunity that greatly interests me as a professional actress. I have many years of experience within the theater industry and am excited for the chance to finally perform on stage at your venue. I believe I’m the right choice for the lead role based on my qualifications:
- Acted in multiple musicals and genres and was well received by audiences
- Exceptionally skilled in singing, dancing, and acting on stage
- Gifted in bringing emotional performances to stage roles
Closing
To close your cover letter out on a strong note, you need to include a call to action (CTA) that invites the casting director to bring you in for an audition. This exudes both confidence and your interest in pursuing a role in the production. Be sure to thank the reader for their time in the final sentence of the paragraph, as you want to demonstrate your professionalism in how you communicate as well. Below, you’ll find an example to help you craft a strong closing section to enhance your document.
Good
I would like to schedule an audition for a role in your production of Hamlet to showcase how my vast experience as a leading actor in Shakespeare plays can help bring your artistic vision to life. You may contact me via phone or email at your earliest convenience. I appreciate both your time and consideration.
Best regards,
John Doe,
Bad
I appreciate you taking the time to consider me for a role in your play. I believe that I am the best actor suited for the leading part. I can’t wait to discuss the opportunity further.
Best,
John Doe