Writing an Arts CV: How to Showcase Small-Scale Productions and Community Work

Turn small productions into proof: Writing an arts CV that gets noticed in 2026

Struggling to make community club shows and classroom projects look like professional experience? You are not alone. Many students, teachers and early-career theatre practitioners tell us their biggest barrier when applying to arts programs or theatre jobs is packaging small-scale work so selectors see clear, transferable skills. This guide gives a practical arts CV template, tested examples, and 2026 trends you must use to convert every micro-event into convincing evidence of capability.

Why community work matters — and why selectors care now

Since late 2024 and into 2025, admissions tutors and casting directors have shifted emphasis toward community engagement, versatility and tangible impact. Programs now reward demonstrated initiative, leadership and audience development—qualities often visible in community theatre. A high-profile example: a play that started in a 60-seat social club moving to the West End shows how local projects can be a launchpad for careers.

"It began life at a 60-seater social club in north Tyneside in 2022."

That trajectory is not rare in 2026. Festivals, regional venues and digital curators actively seek work that proves resilience, community ties and creative problem solving—qualities you can and should put on your arts CV.

Quick roadmap: What to do first (inverted pyramid)

• Top priority: Create a one-page theatre resume that highlights roles, responsibilities and measurable outcomes from small productions.
• Next: Build a short digital portfolio (60–120 second showreel + 3 supporting clips) and host it where selectors can view it from your CV.
• Then: Add a concise Teaching & Community Work section that quantifies impact (student numbers, workshops run, funds raised).
• Finally: Tailor cover notes and audition materials using keywords from the job or course brief and add accessibility features (subtitles, transcripts).

2026 trends to use in your CV

• Video-first submissions: Many castings and course applications now request short video materials as the primary medium. Make the link obvious on your CV.
• AI prescreens: Recruiters increasingly use automated tools to shortlist applications—use clear role titles and standard formatting to pass parsing tools.
• Community credentials: Fundraising, outreach and co-creation are valued—document them with numbers and outcomes.
• Hybrid and immersive skills: Experience with site-specific work, digital projection or small-scale immersive pieces is a differentiator.
• Accessibility & DEI proof: Evidence of inclusive practice (subtitled shows, sensory-friendly performances) stands out to many programs.

Arts CV: One-page theatre resume template (exact format to use)

Use this as your printed and PDF resume. Keep it to one page for performers; teachers and multi-hyphenates can use two pages but keep the first page as the highlights.

Header

• Name
• Contact: phone, email
• Location: city, region
• Website / Portfolio URL / QR code
• Union / Eligibility (if applicable)

Profile (2–3 lines)

Concise statement focused on typecasting and strengths. Example: "Versatile actor and workshop leader specialising in community theatre, devised performance and physical comedy. Experienced in producing low-budget runs and leading outreach workshops for ages 8–18."

Physical & Vocal stats (performers only)

Height, voice type, accents, languages—only include if relevant.

Performance Credits (reverse chronological)

Use this structure: Role — Production Title — Company/Group — Venue — Director — Year. Always include the scale if it enhances the entry.

Example entry for a small production:

• Lead, Gerry — Gerry & Sewell — Gateshead Social Club / Transfer to Live Theatre Aldwych workshop — Dir. Jamie Eastlake — 2022 / 2025 (60-seat community run; production later programmed at regional venue)

Teaching, Workshops & Community Work

This is where teachers and students gain unique advantage. Show numbers, duration and outcomes.

• Community Drama Tutor — Eastgate Youth Centre — Weekly workshops (12 weeks) — 25 participants aged 14–18 — Led devised piece performed to 150 community members — 2024
• Creator & Producer — 'Voices on the Row' intergenerational project — Co-produced a 3-night run raising £1,200 for local charities — 2023

Production & Technical Skills

List relevant technical skills and soft skills. Example: stage management, lighting programming (DMX), producing, fundraising, grant writing, directing-adjacent skills.

Training

Institution — Qualification — Dates. Short courses and CPD (e.g., 'Devising for Community Contexts 2025') should be included.

Awards / Press / Notable Mentions

Include short quotes from reviews, festival selections, or transfers. Use one-line citations where possible: "Selected for North East Community Theatre Festival 2023".

References

Available on request or list two referees with permission.

How to write entries for small productions: practical examples

Admissions panels and casting directors are looking for clarity. Use action verbs and quantify impact where possible. Below are three real-world entry examples you can adapt.

Example A: Student actor (single page)

• Role: Sam (Lead) — Production: The Market Stall — Company: Riverside Youth Collective — Venue: Community Hall (60 seats) — Director: L. Patel — 2024
  • Produced, rehearsed and performed in a sold-out community run (4 performances, 240 total audience)
  • Led warm-up sessions and mentored three junior cast members through performance techniques

Example B: Teacher applying for an arts program

• Role: Project Lead — Production: 'Seeds of Sound' intergenerational project — Partner: St. Mary's Primary & Silver Threads Seniors Group — 2023–24
  • Designed curriculum for weekly ensemble workshops (20 sessions), reached 60 participants, coordinated final public performance attracting 180 attendees
  • Secured small grant (£1,000) and documented impact for local press; created digital resource pack used by three other schools

Example C: Technician / stage manager

• Role: Stage Manager & LX Operator — Production: Late Shift Cabaret — Venue: Village Club (intimate 40-seat format) — 2025
  • Managed 10-person cast, ran lighting cues from QLab and DMX desk across 8 shows; reduced set change time by 40% through rigging redesign
  • Trained volunteers and created cue sheets used as a template for subsequent shows

Showreel and audition materials: technical checklist (2026 best practices)

Selectors in 2026 expect efficient, accessible digital materials. Keep your portfolio single-click from your CV.

• Showreel: 60–120 seconds, highlight your strongest type first, maximum three short clips. Host on Vimeo or your site. Make the link obvious.
• Supporting clips: One full monologue (2–3 minutes), one movement piece, one collaborative scene if relevant. Include a slate (name, height, contact) at the start.
• File naming: Use 'Surname_Firstname_Role_Year.mp4' to help human and AI reviewers.
• Accessibility: Add captions and a short transcript. This is increasingly requested in 2026 for equity and screening tools.
• Quality over polish: Good sound and clear framing beat cinematic production. Casting teams want to see your face and voice clearly.

How to contextualize scale: language that upgrades small productions

Don't hide size—contextualize it. Replace vague phrases with specific, transferable terms. Examples:

• Instead of "performed in a local show," write "Lead actor in a community-devised production produced by a volunteer collective, responsible for co-creating script elements and mentoring junior cast."
• Instead of "helped with lighting," write "Head LX operator for a 40-seat site-specific run; designed and executed cues on a limited budget, increasing technical reliability by 40%."
• Quantify when possible: audience numbers, workshops delivered, funds raised, transfer or repeat bookings.

Cover notes and application statements: how to frame community work

Admissions essays and job cover letters should explain why the experience matters to the role. Use this mini-structure: Situation — Action — Outcome — Reflection.

Example sentence for a statement: "As producer of a 3-night community run, I led a volunteer team of 12, secured local funding of £900, and increased audience engagement through targeted social media outreach, resulting in sold-out performances—this taught me logistics, promotion and community partnership skills I am keen to apply in your program."

Dos and Don'ts: Quick reference

Do

• Use concrete evidence and numbers.
• Link to audio/visual material clearly.
• Highlight leadership, producing and teaching roles—even informal ones.
• Include short reviews, festival selections, or transfers where relevant.

Don't

• Don't inflate scale—contextualize honestly.
• Don't include irrelevant personal details.
• Don't bury links in long PDFs—place portfolio links early in the header.

Using technology—and being authentic

AI tools can speed up tailoring your CV and create polished cover letters. Use them for grammar, formatting and ATS-friendly phrasing, but always verify factual accuracy and preserve your voice. In 2026, many programs ask for original video material; always submit work you personally created or participated in and be ready to discuss it live.

Templates you can copy (text-ready)

Performer one-line credit example

Role — Production Title — Company/Group — Venue (audience size) — Director — Year

Example: "Lead — The Market Stall — Riverside Youth Collective — Community Hall (60 seats) — Dir. L. Patel — 2024"

Community teaching entry example

Project Lead — 'Voices on the Row' — Partner: St. Mary's Primary & Silver Threads — 2023–24 — Designed and led 12 weekly workshops (48 contact hours) for mixed-age groups, culminating in a public sharing attended by 180 people; secured seed funding and produced digital resource pack.

Final checklist before you submit

1. One-page PDF resume for performance, two pages max for multi-role applicants.
2. Active, quantified entries for small productions and community work.
3. Portfolio link and at least one short showreel on the first page.
4. Captions and transcripts for all video/audio files.
5. Tailored cover note referencing specific skills asked for in the brief.
6. Proofread by a teacher, mentor or peer; consider a final pass with AI for grammar only.

Case study takeaway: how a 60-seat club can become a career moment

Use the example of a production that began in a small social club and later moved to a major stage as your strategic model. The success elements you can copy are:

• Document the run well (dates, audience numbers, press quotes).
• Record and share rehearsal clips and post-show feedback.
• Build relationships: funders, venues, press—these connections show you can operate beyond a classroom.
• Leverage transfers or repeat bookings as proof of impact.

Closing: actionable next steps (start now)

Pick one small production you led or appeared in this year. Update one entry on your CV now using the template above: add a quantified impact, a link to a short clip, and a one-line note about any transfer or media mention. That single updated line can change how selectors view your experience.

Ready to convert your community work into opportunities? Download the printable one-page arts CV template, a 60-second showreel checklist and three sample cover notes from our resources page. If you want personalized feedback, submit your CV and portfolio link to our review queue for targeted advice tailored to arts programs and theatre jobs.

Make your small productions speak louder than their size—2026 selectors are listening for initiative, impact and community craft.

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