Gone are the days where actors simply needed a professional headshot, resume, and reel to be considered for acting roles.
These days, because there is so much competition (3,000 to 5,000 actors often submit for every part), you'll need a different way to stand out. A strong acting cover letter not only shows casting directors that you care about the part, but it can also help them see why YOU should get it over other actors.
Because many actors are too lazy to spend the time needed to create a well-written, engaging cover letter for each submission, there's an opportunity for you to stand out by being one of the few actors who actually does it.
The simple fact that you're reading this article means you're already ahead of most other actors out there!
So let's dive in by looking at a series of acting cover letter examples:
Here are some acting cover letter examples that are very likely to capture a casting director's attention:
I'd like to submit myself for consideration of the role of Jennifer in your upcoming production of Doris Freeman.
Mark Adle (I believe you two know each other?) told me about this opportunity and recommended I get in touch with you. I've trained with him for the past two years and have just completed my Bachelor's of Fine Arts degree in acting from NYU.
This role stood out to me because I feel as though I've been living this character for the past few years of my own life – especially the part about the dog running away from home. Unfortunately the same thing happened to me when I was younger and I was really torn up over it.
I know you're busy, so I won't take up anymore of your time – I've included my headshot, resume, and some footage below. Thanks so much for your time :)
Why it's good: Naming a mutual connection is a highly effective to stand out in your cover letter! Referrals almost always get a response, so if you have one, make sure to use it. I also love the story about the dog running away from home – it's a great way to make the cover letter more personal.
My name is John Smith and I'd love to be considered for the role of Horatio in your upcoming production of Hamlet on Broadway. I just finished an Off-Broadway run of Hamlet with the Shakespeare Theatre Company and think I could bring a lot to your production.
I've had over 4 years of classical theater training and have performed in 17 Shakespeare productions since graduating in 2003. I've studied at the Stella Adler school for two years and am currently represented by Abram's Artists Agency.
Thank you so much for your time!
Sincerely,
Robin Wright
PS: I’d also love the chance to speak with you about your work in animal rights – as an animal rights activist myself I think we'd have a lot to talk about!
Why it's good: The fact that you're showing your experience in the same show makes a big difference. If you have experience in something similar to what's being cast, always be sure to highlight it in your cover letter! The P.S. is also a nice touch because it shows you actually did your research on the casting director – this personal note could make them more interested in meeting you. Casting directors will almost always read a PS (just make sure your PS isn't focused on something too esoteric or they'll think you're a creeper – it has to be something that's easily found/known about the person!).
Here are some audition cover letter examples that will probably get laughed out of the room (or completely ignored):
I am submiing for the role of jennifer.
please see enclosed my matrials and I hope to hear back.
Why it's bad: This is a terrible audition letter example. It tells us nothing new and there are lots of spelling and grammar mistakes. It also doesn't address anyone by name. The only good thing about it is that it's short!
To Whom it May Concern,
I wanted to reach out regarding the role of Jennifer, which I found on Backstage. I have experience singing, dancing, and acting, and received my Bachelor's of Fine Arts degree from NYU. I believe I'm a good fit for the role because I look the part, have experience singing, and feel the role is a great match with my personality.
My extensive experience on stage and in Film & TV has taught me how to truly embody a character and bring them to life from a script. I have been cast in numerous professional television roles as Guest and Co-Stars, along with performing in the ensemble of a touring rendition of Little Shop of Horrors. I also have extensive experience in comedy and have performed for both young and old audiences alike.
My training as a film and theater actor gives me the necessary experience to play the role of Jennifer in your production. I am 5' 8" and weigh 119lbs. I also believe that my experience with improv gives me a great sense of comedic timing, which would be perfect for this role.
I hope to have the opportunity to audition for this part, as I feel confident that I meet all the necessary requirements of the character. The best phone number for me is (000) 000-0000 and my email address is [email protected]. Thank you so much and I look forward to hearing back.
Why it's bad: This cover letter is terrible because it's just way too long and boring. There is no personalization (addressing the casting director by name) and it's just a long list of credits and experience! Cover letters should focus more on the emotional side of why you want to be in the production because casting directors can find out about your experience and training from your resume!
Here are some great examples of "submissions notes," or the short 2-3 sentence note you can attach when submitting for roles using online casting platforms like Backstage and Actor's Access:
Dear NAME, I would love the opportunity to be considered for the role of George for your upcoming production of The Jungle. I've always loved playing athletic characters, especially when the role requires a deep level of compassion and inner strength, two qualities I strongly resonate with. As a highly trained theater actor who loves the opportunity to meet new people and be part of a growing team, I think I could bring a lot to this production.
Why it's good: It's short and talks about the emotional reason behind WHY the actor wants the role. It's also specific enough with the words "compassion and inner strength" to show that you read the role description carefully and did your homework.
Dear NAME, I would love to be considered for Martin in your upcoming short film. The fact that Martin is a deeply conflicted character resonates with me because I was exactly the same way as a kid – I used to struggle with the fact that my parents split up and I went from blaming myself and feeling guilty about it to getting angry that my life wasn't as simple as that of my friends. crazy times! I'd love the opportunity to bring my personal experience to your production.
Why it's good: This is a fantastic (even better than the first one) cover letter because it's hyper specific and shows exactly why you're right for the role. The more specific you are with examples (in this case, talking about parents splitting up), the more believable your cover letter will be. This is also a good example of how to write an acting cover letter with no experience – notice how no productions/credits are mentioned, yet it's still effective!
If you don't already have an agent, there are four primary ways you can use cover letters to find auditions:
Knowing how to write an effective cover letter is just one part of growing your acting career.
As someone who has worked with people in thousands of industries (through my headshot business), I've been able to take growth strategies that work for businesses and apply them directly to actors – to help them grow their careers faster than most would think possible (examples: one of my clients landed his first-ever Broadway role in just 4 weeks of working with me, and a brand-new actress signed with a high-level agent in just six weeks of working with me).
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Martin Bentsen (author of this guide) is an actor marketing coach who uses “outside the industry” thinking to help actors book more work. He’s helped over 6,000 actors with their careers and actor headshots since 2009 and his photography studio City Headshots is ranked #1 on Yelp. He’s spoken at NYU, The New England Theater Conference, The Actor’s Green Room, and other venues.
Want to book more acting work by thinking different? Start with his free Actor’s Toolkit to create new opportunities right away, or visit his website at www.martinbentsen.com.
I recommend starting by using a free acting cover letter template above and then re-working it to be your own. Rather than writing about specific roles you've played, you can talk about your training or anything from your past that shows why you have a personal connection to the role.
Remember that it's your job as the actor to figure out how to make a cover letter seem genuine and personable. It's not easy, but that's why cover letters are so effective – because if you decide to be one of the few actors who goes above and beyond, you'll instantly stand out!
