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Create a Professional Acting CV That Gets You Noticed
Whether you’re auditioning for the West End, a TV drama, or an indie film, a strong acting CV is your ticket to getting through the door. Casting directors want to see your training, experience and versatility, and they often make decisions in seconds. That’s why using the right CV format and layout is just as important as what you include.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to create a professional actor CV that meets UK industry standards, including:
- A step-by-step guide on how to write an acting CV that stands out
- Actors CV template UK options
- Acting CV examples for different experience levels
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Acting CV Example
Ben Worthington
14B Crown Way, London W5 0FR
987654321
Ben.Worthington@example-example.co.uk
Professional summary
Dynamic Actor versed in adapting to diverse roles with superior line memorisation. Leverages industry training and experience to embody roles and apply director feedback. Works collaboratively with colleagues and production staff to meet project requirements.
Work history
February 2022 – Current
City Theatre – London
Actor
- Maintained 100% punctuality to reduce shooting schedule delays.
- Interpreted director’s notes and incorporated feedback into performances.
- Participated in dress rehearsals to practice one last time before opening night.
- Prepared and performed action stunts for motion pictures, television and stage productions.
February 2019 – January 2022
Hamlet Theatre – London
Drama actor
- Attended auditions and casting calls to auditions for roles.
- Rehearsed lines and improvisation for convincing performances.
- Interpreted director’s notes and incorporated feedback into performances.
- Brought out character traits through body language, gestures and facial expressions.
Skills
- Script analysis
- Voiceover expertise
- Script visualisation techniques
- Creative
- Charismatic
- Improvisation expertise
- Method acting expertise
- Stage performance
Education
2018
London University
Bachelor of Arts Theatre and Performance
What’s the Best Format for an Acting CV?
Choosing the right CV format is essential if you want to stand out. The format you select should reflect your experience level and help showcase your most relevant credits, training, and performance skills.
There are two common CV formats to consider: the reverse-chronological CV and the skills-based CV.
Reverse-chronological format:
This is the most popular actors CV template in the UK. It lists your acting experience starting with the most recent, making it ideal for professionals with several credits. It helps casting directors quickly see your range and previous roles across theatre, film, or television.
Skills-based format:
This acting CV format focuses on your abilities rather than your work history. It’s particularly useful for newcomers or those with limited experience. You can highlight transferable skills gained through training, such as voice work, stage combat, or classical performance techniques like Shakespeare.
To make the most of your chosen acting CV template, follow these formatting tips:
- Keep your CV to 1–2 pages for easy reading.
- Use a clean, professional font like Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman.
- Break up text with bullet points and clear headings.
- Tailor your CV for each casting call or audition.
- Save and send your document as a PDF or Word file unless otherwise stated.
What contact details should I include in my actor CV
You may be surprised to hear but many actors miss the first important step. Including current, updated contact information at the top of your CV is something that should not be missed!
You’ll want to avoid this common mistake by adding your contact details near the header of your CV. Write them in a larger or bold font to ensure readability. Here’s a little bit of what you should include:
- Your full name: You can exclude your middle name.
- Location: Include your address or at least your town or city so the person reading knows where you’re based.
- Phone number: Provide your mobile number as this is the easiest way of reaching you.
- Email address: Make sure this is a professional email.
Example of contact section for an actor CV
Sam Marks
45 Haim Close, Bradford BD16YH
07912345678
Sam.marks@example-example.co.uk
How to write a personal statement for your actor CV
The personal statement is your chance to make a strong first impression. It sits at the top of your CV and gives casting directors a quick snapshot of who you are, what you’ve achieved, and what makes you right for the role.
Since casting teams often skim dozens of acting CVs, your personal statement needs to stand out. You’ve got just 3–4 sentences to capture attention, so make every word count.
What should your actor CV personal statement include?
Your statement should:
- Summarise your acting experience
- Highlight key strengths and specialisms (e.g. voice work, stage combat)
- Mention standout roles, awards, or training
- Be tailored to the kind of roles you’re targeting
Example structure:
Step 1: Introduce yourself
Start with a short, impactful sentence that outlines your acting background and focus.
Example: “Versatile stage and screen actor with over 5 years of experience in contemporary drama and classical theatre.”
Step 2: Add achievements
Mention impressive roles, training, or accolades that show credibility.
Example: “Played the lead in a national tour of Blood Brothers and trained at RADA.”
Step 3: Showcase strengths and skills
Mention what you do well, especially soft skills like collaboration, emotional range, or improvisation.
Example: “Known for strong emotional delivery, excellent comic timing, and a professional, team-focused approach.”
Step 4: Align with the role
If possible, relate your skills to the casting brief or genre.
Example: “Particularly experienced in period drama and physical theatre, ideal for historically inspired productions.”
Example of personal statement for an actor’s CV
Experienced actor with a focus on theatre and a track record of leading roles in well-known plays. Played Tybalt in the Royal Shakespeare production of Romeo and Juliet. Excels in traditional acting techniques with a strong stage presence.
OR
Young actor with extensive training in film & TV. Graduated with honours from Guildford School of Acting, starring in contemporary productions and short films. Particular skills in character acting and film set experience.
Adding experience section to your actor CV
Adding an extensive work experience is vital to your CV. It’s where a casting director will gauge your experience as an actor and see if you have the credits to work in a professional environment. This part should showcase your strengths and any impressive accomplishments. When structuring this section, aim for a format that not only engages the reader, but also flows in a logical way.
Begin by detailing your current or most recent acting roles, carefully exploring the challenges of the role and how you overcame them. You should always highlight roles that stick close to any specifications listed on the casting call.
Make sure you always include:
- The title of your role
- Dates of employment
- The name of the production company
- The location of the production
- Challenges and features of the role in question
- Any notable awards, advancements or achievements
Example of work experience for an actor’s CV
Actor
City Theatre – Bradford
12/2020 – Current
- Collaborated with cast members to execute a seamless performance
- Acted as narrator for live theatre shows to inform and entertain audiences
- Auditioned for stage and film roles by attending three auditions and casting calls each week
Actor
Bradford Theatre – Bradford
04/2018 – 2020
- Rehearsed and performed in two plays each season
- Served as ticket seller for small regional theatre company
- Provided entertainment to guests while arranging, adapting, and improvising popular music.
Skills worth having on your actor CV
The skills included on an actor’s CV should show that you’re a versatile performer who has many talents to offer. This is why you need to create an extensive CV skills section that will explore your main strengths and specialisms.
You’ll want to separate your CV skills between hard and soft skills. A good number to shoot for is 12 skills in total. Hard skills are any skills you’ve learned through direct experience or through education. Soft skills are more like positive character traits. For example, you might have “strong stage presence” or “work well with other actors”.
Striking a balance between these two types of skill will paint a picture of you as a rounded candidate. A casting director won’t want an actor who doesn’t have acting skills, but it’s also important to have positive traits that make you easy to work with.
Here are some examples of hard and soft skills for an actor:
Key skills for acting positions
- Creativity
- Charismatic
- Good interpersonal skills
- Quick line reading
- Vocal projection
- Able to take direction
Related skills to help your actor CV stand out
- Physical fitness
- Singing
- Dancing
- Knowledge of acting theory
- Self-discipline
- Punctuality
Outlining education on an actor CV
The education section of your acting CV is the bedrock of your future performances. It needs to support the rest of your CV by showing you have gone through the correct training to approach different roles. All of this will help to elevate you above other candidates.
As you detail your education, there are some rules you should follow. Firstly, make sure that you don’t include any poor grades or incomplete courses, as they won’t add to the picture of you as a good candidate. Instead, focus on your top achievements and qualifications that will make the reader engaged. Secondly, you can miss out any irrelevant qualifications. If you’ve completed a higher education degree, then you might not need to mention your GCSEs.
Always try to make the most of the space you have available. This means packing your education section with qualifications that strengthen your CV. If you don’t have that many acting credits, you should instead highlight these qualifications to show that you have the experience to act in a serious production.
When outlining your education, use the following format:
- Name of the education establishment
- Dates of study
- Subject title
- Qualification level
- Qualification result
Example of education for actor CV
University of Leeds, 2021
Bachelor of Arts – Theatre and Performance
Film & TV Productions, London, 2018
Screen Acting Workshop
London
Dos and don’ts for your actor CV
The opening line of a CV for an actor is as important as your first on stage. It’s your elevator pitch and chance to concisely summarise your TV and stage acting experience to date. Be sure to mention the number of years’ experience you have, any particular capabilities that set you apart, or the kind of roles you’ve taken on, whether it’s the medium like TV and theatre or the genre like comedy and drama.
Include any work and specialised skills gained outside acting, such as barista experience, as it may be attractive for casting directors looking to fill a specific actor job role. As well as being transferable, you’ll show you’re not a one-trick pony.
Show casting directors that you are well-versed in the industry, using key terms like ‘regional theatre’, ‘screen tests’, and ‘casting calls’ to bring their attention to your relevant actor skills and qualities. This will also stand you in good stead if ATS software is being used to scan CVs for specific phrases.
You’ll no doubt read the actor’s job description to get an idea about the role. But spend a bit more time skimming through it to see what they’re looking for. You’ll usually find at least 4-5 must-haves that you can include and highlight on your actor CV.
Your actor CV questions answered
How do you become an actor?
How to become an actor is one of most common questions for those with a passion for theatrics. The best advice is to jump into any opportunities you can, getting involved in amateur dramatics and meeting as many people from the industry as possible. No doubt, some luck is involved, but you can certainly hedge your bets by building a network within the acting industry.
How do I get into acting with no experience?
Getting into acting with no experience is tricky, but not impossible. A great actor CV can help and so can the following:
- Develop additional skills such as singing, playing an instrument, or improvisation.
- Read as many scripts as possible to build your knowledge and identify possible audition pieces.
- Work skills such as stand-up comedy, which will increase your ability to bounce back from tough auditions or rejections.
What qualifications do you need to be an actor?
There are no strict qualifications for being an actor, but a degree or BTEC Diploma will provide technical training:
- You’ll need 5 GCSEs including Maths and English for most BTECs.
- Ideally, 2 A levels will give you the score needed to apply to a degree course.
- You could boost your CV with extra qualifications in music performance or dancing.
How do you write an actor’s CV?
An actor’s CV typically comprises four key sections:
- A personal statement or professional summary – introducing you as a candidate in 3-4 sentences
- Experience or work history – listing past acting roles or just previous jobs, and your responsibilities within them
- Key skills – a list of 6-10 skills and qualities which define you as an actor
- Qualifications or education – as long as they’re relevant to acting or within the last ten years
What is a typical actor’s job salary?
The salary for acting varies more than most other professions. As a ball-park figure, many actors earn within the region of £25,000-£35,000 but it depends massively on what kind of acting you’re doing, how big the role is, and whether it’s a recurring job or one-off gig.
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Take centre stage with the perfect actor CV
Putting together the perfect CV for an actor is quick and easy when you use our CV builder. Our CV templates offer the ideal framework, while our CV writing advice helps you to take your experience and turn it into content that appeals to casting directors.
Look at our CV examples and CV templates to see how it’s done and then create your own personalised actor CV to take the next step in your career.
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