5 Professional Actor Cover Letter Examples for 2024

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An actor cover letter must immediately grab the attention. Showcase your most compelling roles and achievements to distinguish yourself from the crowd. In your letter, connect your experiences to the role you're pursuing. Always tailor your narrative to demonstrate how your skills align with the production's needs.

All cover letter examples in this guide

Crafting a compelling actor cover letter can be a tricky step on your journey to landing that dream role. You've already taken the leap and started applying, only to realize a standout cover letter is as crucial as your headshot and resume. It's your stage to share a gripping narrative of your proudest professional moment, without the echo of your resume's facts. Striking the right balance between formal and fresh—without slipping into clichés—means you're aiming to pen a letter that captures your unique story in a one-page spotlight. Let's get started.

Your actor cover letter has and will never look better - let us guide you on:

  • Making excellent use of job-winning real-life professional cover letters;
  • Writing the first paragraphs of your actor cover letter to get attention and connect with the recruiters - immediately;
  • Single out your most noteworthy achievement (even if it's outside your career);
  • Get a better understanding of what you must include in your actor cover letter to land the job.

Let the power of Enhancv's AI work for you: create your actor cover letter by uploading your resume.

Actor cover letter example

David Williams

New York, NY

+1-(234)-555-1234

help@enhancv.com


Dear Hiring Manager,

Having honed a diverse range of character voices and accents through dedicated work in theater and voice acting, I've familiarized myself thoroughly with the dedication to quality storytelling that [Company Name] champions. My commitment to the craft aligns seamlessly with your innovative projects, making me eager to potentially contribute to your team's continued success.

One notable highlight of my career was lending my voice as the lead character for an animated series that not only achieved high ratings but also sparked a strong emotional connection with the audience. This experience not only showcased my ability to personify characters with depth and authenticity but also directly impacted the series' success, leading to a significant engagement increase of over 40% in viewership during its premier season.

I am keen to discuss how my background, skills, and enthusiasms could mesh with the dynamic work being done at [Company Name], and I am very interested in the possibility of contributing to your team's creative endeavors. I look forward to the opportunity to further discuss how I can bring characters to life within your projects during an interview.

Sincerely,

David Williams

Voice Over Actor
What makes this cover letter good:


  • Emphasizing relevant experience: The cover letter highlights the applicant's lead role in an animated series, showcasing their ability to bring characters to life and contribute to a project's success.
  • Demonstration of impact: The candidate quantifies their success by mentioning a viewership increase, which helps to concretely demonstrate their positive impact and relates it directly to the work they seek to do with the new company.
  • Alignment with company values: The applicant expresses a clear understanding of the company’s dedication to storytelling, indicating that their personal and professional values align with the company's mission.

What about your actor cover letter format: organizing and structuring your information

Here is one secret you should know about your actor cover letter assessment. The Applicant Tracker System (or ATS) won't analyze your cover letter.

You should thus focus on making an excellent impression on recruiters by writing consistent:

  • Header
  • Greeting
  • Introduction
  • Body paragraphs (and explanation)
  • Promise or Call to action
  • Signature (that's optional)

Now, let's talk about the design of your actor cover letter.

Ensure all of your paragraphs are single-spaced and have a one-inch margins on all sides (like in our cover letter templates).

Also, our cover letter builder automatically takes care of the format and comes along with some of the most popular (and modern) fonts like Volkhov, Chivo, and Bitter.

Speaking of fonts, professionals advise you to keep your actor cover letter and resume in the same typography and avoid the over-used Arial or Times New Roman.

When wondering whether you should submit your actor cover letter in Doc or PDF, select the second, as PDF keeps all of your information and design consistent.

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The top sections on a actor cover letter

  • Header: Includes your contact information, the date, and the casting director's or agency's details, establishing professionalism and making it easy for them to reach out to you.
  • Greeting: Addresses the casting director or talent agent by name, which shows you've done your research and are personally invested in the opportunity.
  • Introduction: Briefly introduces yourself and mentions any referral or connection, if applicable, as personal networks and relationships are often key in the acting industry.
  • Experience Highlight: Summarizes your most relevant acting experiences or roles, showing that you have the necessary skills and background for the role you are applying for.
  • Closing and Call to Action: Politely expresses your enthusiasm for the role, includes an invitation to review your attached resume or headshot, and indicates your availability for an audition or meeting, effectively prompting the next step.
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Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter

  • Range and Diversity of Acting Skills: Demonstrate versatility in playing various roles and genres, as this shows the ability to take on any character and deliver a compelling performance.

  • Training and Education: List formal drama education, acting workshops, or master classes, indicating dedication to the craft and a foundation of technique and theory.

  • On-Screen or Stage Experience: Highlight previous acting jobs, including film, TV, theater, or commercials, as these show practical experience and familiarity with different performance settings.

  • Awards and Recognition: Mention any awards or nominations received for acting, which can serve as validation of talent and acknowledgment by the industry.

  • Physical Flexibility and Stamina: Showcase any physical skills (e.g., dance, martial arts) and the ability to handle demanding roles, which can be crucial for action scenes or physically intense characters.

  • Strong Collaborative Skills: Emphasize experiences of working well with casts and directors, being receptive to direction, and contributing positively to the creative process, as teamwork is essential in the performing arts.

How to address hiring managers in your actor cover letter greeting

Goodbye, "Dear Sir/Madam" or "To whom it may concern!"

The salutation of your actor cover letter is how you kick off your professional communication with the hiring managers.

And you want it to start off a bit more personalized and tailored, to catch the recruiters' attention.

Take the time to find out who's recruiting for the role (via LinkedIn or the company page).

If you have previously chatted or emailed the hiring managers, address them on a first or last name basis.

The alternative is a "Dear HR team" or "Dear Hiring Manger", but remember that a "Dear Ms. Simmons" or "Dear Simon," could get you farther ahead than an impersonal greeting.

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List of salutations you can use

  • Dear [Director's Name],
  • Dear [Casting Director's Name],
  • Dear [Producer's Name],
  • Dear [Company Name] Team,
  • Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],
  • Dear [Talent Agent's Name],

First introductions in your actor cover letter

Within your actor cover letter introduction, genuinely state what you like about the organization.

Research the latest company projects, honorary awards, company updates, etc.

Write up to two sentences to let recruiters know what impresses you about the company,

This would help you to set a good tone for the rest of the communication.

Intro Paragraph
With a reflective respect for the innovative storytelling and diversity championed by Modern Tales Productions, I approach this audition opportunity, poised to contribute a tapestry of rich, authentic character work cultivated over a decade on stage and screen.
RIGHT

What to write in the body of your actor cover letter

Now that you've got your intro covered, here comes the heart and soul of your actor cover letter.

It's time to write the middle or body paragraphs. This is the space where you talk about your relevant talent in terms of hard skills (or technologies) and soft (or people and communication) skills.

Keep in mind that the cover letter has a different purpose from your actor resume.

Yes, you still have to be able to show recruiters what makes your experience unique (and applicable) to the role.

But, instead of just listing skills, aim to tell a story of your one, greatest accomplishment.

Select your achievement that:

  • covers job-crucial skills;
  • can be measured with tangible metrics;
  • shows you in the best light.

Use the next three to six paragraphs to detail what this success has taught you, and also to sell your profile.

Body Paragraph
Diving into the role of Macbeth, I invested over 200 hours into character study, resulting in a performance that not only won the 'Best Actor' award at the prestigious Local Theater Awards but also led to a 30% increase in ticket sales, setting a new box-office record for the theater. My dedication and ability to draw audiences underline my commitment to excellence and audience engagement, essential qualities for your upcoming production.
RIGHT

Two ideas on how to end the final paragraph of your actor cover letter

Closing your actor cover letter, you want to leave a memorable impression on recruiters, that you're a responsible professional.

End your cover letter with how you envision your growth, as part of the company. Make realistic promises on what you plan to achieve, potentially, in the next six months to a year.

Before your signature, you could also signal hiring managers that you're available for the next steps. Or, a follow-up call, during which you could further clarify your experience or professional value.

Closing Paragraph
I am eager to discuss how my talents align with your project and to contribute to your success. Please consider scheduling an interview at your earliest convenience.
RIGHT

The zero experience actor cover letter: shifting the focus to your unique value

Don't worry if you have no conventional professional experience. Within your whole experience, there's plenty more you can write about in your actor cover letter.

Take, for example, your biggest achievement or award - dedicate your cover letter body to describe it and the job-relevant skills you've learned.

Your professional ambitions could also take center stage. Describe what you plan on achieving in the next five to ten years and the efforts you're making towards your dreams.

Key takeaways

Winning recruiters over shouldn't be difficult if you use your actor cover letter to tell a story that:

  • Is personalized by greeting your readers and focusing on key job skills greets;
  • Isn't spread all over the place, but instead focuses on one key achievement and selling your value as a professional;
  • Introduces your enthusiasm for the role, passion for the job, or creativity in communication;
  • Is also visually appealing - meeting the best HR practices;
  • Ends with a nod to the future and how you envision your growth, as part of the company.

Actor cover letter examples

Explore additional actor cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.

By Role

Background Actor

When seeking a role as a Background Actor, spotlight any past performance experience, even in amateur theater or student films. Show your ability to follow directions and work as part of a team. Include any workshops or drama classes you've attended, mentioning their duration to demonstrate commitment. Discuss your ability to stay in character for long periods and adapt to various environments, using the 'skill-action-result' framework. Point out distinctive features or skills, such as horseback riding or juggling, which could add value to on-screen scenes.
View Background Actor Cover Letter

Commercial Actor

When seeking a Commercial Actor position, focus on showcasing your acting experience and range. Highlight any acting workshops or drama classes you've attended, as these demonstrate dedication to improving your craft. For a stronger impact, emphasize moments when your performance notably contributed to the success of a production. Point out your ability to take direction well and adapt quickly to different roles. Mention your unique skills, like improv or dialects, using a 'skill-action-result' format to illustrate their direct impact on your acting capabilities.
View Commercial Actor Cover Letter

Film Actor

For aspiring Film Actors, spotlight any acting roles or drama classes you’ve participated in. Emphasize your ability to portray diverse characters and your understanding of script analysis. Mention any acting methods or techniques you’re trained in, like Meisner or Stanislavski, and note their duration to demonstrate dedication. Share specific performances where your skills notably contributed to the production's success, using a 'skill-action-result' format. Your cover letter should project your passion for storytelling and your potential to deliver compelling performances.
View Film Actor Cover Letter

Voice Actor

When pursuing a role as a Voice Actor, your cover letter should spotlight any voice training or dialect coaching you've received. Facility with different accents or character types can set you apart. Be sure to mention specific voice acting roles or narration projects, if applicable. Point out your ability to convey emotion and storytelling nuances through voice alone. Include short, impactful testimonials if you have them and describe the direct impact your voice work has had on previous projects, adopting a 'talent-application-impact' framework.
View Voice Actor Cover Letter
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Volen Vulkov
Volen Vulkov is a resume expert and the co-founder of Enhancv. He applies his deep knowledge and experience to write about a career change, development, and how to stand out in the job application process.
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