Performing arts CV guide
Acting CVs are one page, with credits by medium (film, TV, theatre) and a headshot. List height, playing age and special skills if your industry expects them (add under Additional information).
Build a performing arts CVYour first CV is free. The builder applies these rules and checks your CV before you download it.
Sections to include
| Section (in this order) | How important |
|---|---|
| Credits | Expected |
| Training | Recommended |
| Skills (accents, instruments, dance styles…) | Expected |
| Showreel & links | Recommended |
Tips
- Acting CVs are one page, with credits by medium (film, TV, theatre) and a headshot.
- List height, playing age and special skills if your industry expects them (add under Additional information).
- Link a showreel or recordings.
Questions
What should a performing arts CV include?
A performing arts CV needs your contact details, credits and skills (accents, instruments, dance styles…), and usually training and showreel and links. Lead with what employers in this field check first, and back it up with specific examples. Acting CVs are one page, with credits by medium (film, TV, theatre) and a headshot. The CV Atlas readiness check flags anything this field expects that your CV is missing.
What order should the sections of a performing arts CV be in?
Use this order for a performing arts CV: Credits, Training, Skills (accents, instruments, dance styles…) and Showreel & links. Put the most important evidence for this field near the top, and list entries within each section with the most recent first. Contact details and your name always come first, in the header. Some countries change the order, for example Japan lists history oldest first, and CV Atlas applies that automatically.
How long should a performing arts CV be?
It depends on the country more than the job. A performing arts CV in the United States should be 1–2 pages; in the United Kingdom, 2 pages; in Australia, 2–4 pages. Keep recent roles detailed and older ones brief, so your strongest evidence sits on the first page. Pick your target country in CV Atlas and it applies the local length and paper size.
How do I make a performing arts CV stand out?
List height, playing age and special skills if your industry expects them (add under Additional information). Link a showreel or recordings. Be specific: name the systems, settings and results, start each bullet with a verb, and keep it to one line where you can. Show the scale of your work with numbers where it helps. Tailor the first lines of your profile and each role to the job advert.
Which jobs does the performing arts CV guide cover?
This guide covers 17 job titles, including Actor, Voice actor, Singer, Musician, Dancer, Choreographer, Comedian and Theatre director. They share the same CV structure and checks. If your exact title is not listed, type it into CV Atlas and pick the closest field. Country rules such as photos, length and references are added on top when you choose where you are applying.
Jobs this guide covers
Actor · Voice actor · Singer · Musician · Dancer · Choreographer · Comedian · Theatre director · Stage manager · Conductor · Composer · DJ · Circus performer · Model · Presenter / host · Magician · Music teacher (private)
Country guides
Photo, date of birth, length and paper size change by country. Start with United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, or see all 200 countries.
Open the builderYour first CV is free. The builder applies these rules and checks your CV before you download it.
Guidance checked October 2026. General information for most employers, not legal or immigration advice. A job advert’s own instructions always come first. CV Atlas is not affiliated with any regulator or professional body named.