Theater people are known for their unique style and creativity. Now that theater is back, you’re looking for your next artistic venture and need your talents and dedication to shine through in your application.
How do you write a theater cover letter that upstages the other candidates? This writing guide, along with Resume.io’s theater cover letter example, will show you how to:
- Decide which cover letter format to choose and how to organize your paragraphs
- Choose each word carefully to make the biggest impact in each paragraph (header, greeting, intro, body and conclusion)
- Adopt the best tone and approach for your cover letter
- Avoid common mistakes when writing your theater cover letter.
How will your theater application letter set the stage for your next position? What will put the spotlight on you? This guide and the cover letter examples will explain it all. (You can also check out our library of 125+ cover letter examples).
Best format for a theater cover letter
The first step toward a great cover letter is structure and formatting. A theater cover letter should contain the following elements:
- The cover letter header
- The greeting / salutation
- The cover letter intro
- The middle paragraphs (body of the letter)
- The ending paragraph of your cover letter (conclusion and call-to-action)
Our comprehensive cover letter guide is a great start because it is full of general advice about cover letters, along with specific formatting tips.
This theater cover letter example is a good foundation to develop your own professional application:
Dear Mrs. Pritchard,
Having worked as the production assistant and then the stage manager for the Broadway production Wicked, it would be a spellbinding challenge to work as the stage manager on the Broadway debut of Mathilda.
Both productions have similar theatrical challenges - frequent set changes, complicated stage set ups and demanding special effects. Running a stage crew for four years has taught me much about the backstage logistics of a top Broadway hit and I am ready to tackle the operational challenges that performing at your theater will present.
With budgets of $1m+ and casts and crews sometimes in excess of 150, Wicked prepared me for the full-scale approach that will be required for an astounding performance of Matilda. I have received over ten industry awards for my stage management achievements.
Working with younger actors will be a key consideration with Matilda and my introduction of on-site schooling ensured that we could hire the very best young talent for Wicked. When theatrical training and academic education can coexist, the youngest talent is supported from every angle.
A number of my ex-colleagues would be happy to offer confidential references and I have attached a plan for how I would go about making Matilda the newest hit in town. I hope for the chance of an interview to discuss in more detail.
Sincerely,
Lilian Westing
Cover letter header
Typically, we wouldn’t say this, but for theater people we will: Go ahead and let your creativity loose in your theater cover letter header. There’s one important fact to keep in mind: don’t go so wild that a casting person or director can’t read your contact information. Your name, email and best phone number take priority over your fabulous design.
Although you can get creative, use a complementary or even the same design as your resume. Your application looks more professional, but it also makes it easy to match your documents together if they get separated during the vetting process.
The goal of the cover letter header: Leave an impression of your flair and make it easy for a director to get a hold of you to call you in.
Cover letter greeting
We’re going to give you a little discretion here. A theater cover letter greeting is probably more casual than a business cover letter greeting, which should be the standard “Dear Mr./Ms. and surname…” If you know the style of the person you are writing to, go ahead and try a friendly greeting such as “Hey there (first name)” or “Can’t wait to catch up, (first name). If not, stick with the more formal opening.
The goal of the cover letter greeting: Set the tone for the rest of your letter.
Dear Mrs. Pritchard,
Cover letter introduction
If you have worked with the director before, here you can remind them of how well you worked together and what a pleasure your collaboration was. If not, the introduction should highlight the very best of your theater work. You should clearly express why you are the right person for the job.
Hit your mark by using the tone of the character you want to play or if you’re a crew member describing the innovation you developed that made the difference in a show. Make sure it’s clear which of the many theater positions you are looking for. See our adaptable cover letter example below.
The goal of the cover letter intro: Show off the best of your career and entice the director to read past this first act.
Having worked as the production assistant and then the stage manager for the Broadway production Wicked, it would be a spellbinding challenge to work as the stage manager on the Broadway debut of Mathilda.
Cover letter middle part (body)
The body of your theater cover letter is like the rising action of a story: It builds interest and sets up the climax. Within this section, you should offer the details of your theater career. Choose two or three productions or anecdotes that pinpoints your talent. Working on a theater production requires the right mix of temperament, so be sure to reveal your professional personality as well as your abilities. Below you’ll find the body of our theater cover letter sample.
The goal of the cover letter body: Show who you are and what you can do for the production.
Both productions have similar theatrical challenges - frequent set changes, complicated stage set ups and demanding special effects. Running a stage crew for four years has taught me much about the backstage logistics of a top Broadway hit and I am ready to tackle the operational challenges that performing at your theater will present.
With budgets of $1m+ and casts and crews sometimes in excess of 150, Wicked prepared me for the full-scale approach that will be required for an astounding performance of Matilda. I have received over ten industry awards for my stage management achievements.
Working with younger actors will be a key consideration with Matilda and my introduction of on-site schooling ensured that we could hire the very best young talent for Wicked. When theatrical training and academic education can coexist, the youngest talent is supported from every angle.
How to close a theater cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)
It’s time for the climax and denouement. Remind the director of your amazing talent and then add in a sentence or two about why you want to work on this production and how you will contribute to the show.
Finally, make it clear that you want an audition or interview, as seen in our cover letter sample conclusion below.
The goal of the conclusion and sign-off: End with confidence and a reminder that you are eager for an interview.
A number of my ex-colleagues would be happy to offer confidential references and I have attached a plan for how I would go about making Matilda the newest hit in town. I hope for the chance of an interview to discuss in more detail.
Sincerely,
Lilian Westing
Avoiding common mistakes in a theater cover letter
- It’s not all about you. It seems like it should be, but your theater application letter is really about what you can do for the production, not what the production can do for you. Show that you can be a team player.
- Stay away from exaggerating your role. Give co-workers credit if your crew achieved greatness. You were still a part of it.
- Proofread. Have a friend or colleague read over your letter before you send it to avoid typos and ambiguous phrases. You want your message to be clear.
- Format correctly. A great page design communicates professionalism and personal style. A cover letter template can make this quick and easy.
Key takeaways
- A cover letter is a great addition to your resume as it allows you to expand upon your key roles and accomplishments.
- A cover letter for a theater job may be less formal than in other professions. Make sure to adjust your tone based on whether or not you have an existing relationship with the letter recipient.
- An attractive and functional page layout can quickly make you stand out. Check out our theater cover letter sample for more ideas.
If you’re looking for additional inspiration for cover letter writing, you can check out our other related cover letter samples:
