An acting CV is not there to impress people with decoration. It is there to help someone place you quickly. If the document feels clean, current and easy to scan, it is already doing its job better.
The best CVs do not overstate. They organise your experience honestly and make the next decision easier: watch the clip, open the profile, invite the tape.
1. Keep it to one page where possible
For most performers, one page is enough. Casting teams do not need your entire history. They need the clearest version of your current professional picture.
2. Put the practical details at the top
Your header should include the information that helps someone place and contact you quickly:
- Your full name
- Location (e.g., Dublin, Cork, Limerick - counties matter for casting!)
- Phone number & email
- Playing age
- Height
- Hair & eye colour
- Agent name (or "Self-Represented")
3. List credits in a clear order
Put your most relevant or most recent work first. If you are newer, student films, shorts, theatre, commercials and strong training projects can all help show activity and level.
4. Include training that helps place your level
Training matters because it tells people how seriously you are building the work. List drama school, screen acting classes, workshops, voice, movement, dialect or other relevant study that genuinely supports your casting profile.
5. Skills should be specific and usable
Skills can help when they affect casting in a real way. Keep them truthful and practical:
- Accents
- Sports (GAA, football, swimming, horse riding)
- Musical skills
- Dancing
- Languages
- Driving licences
6. What not to put on the CV
- No selfies
- No unrelated jobs or work history
- No clutter - keep it clean
- No childhood credits if you're now an adult
7. Format it so it can be read in seconds
Avoid fancy layouts. Good CV design is mostly about restraint:
- Simple font (Poppins, Arial, Helvetica)
- Consistent headings
- Black text on white background
- 1.0-1.2 spacing
8. A full example you can adapt
Final thoughts
Your acting CV does not need to sound bigger than you are. It needs to look organised, truthful and current. That alone already makes you easier to take seriously.
Keep it aligned with your profile, clips and public Showcase so all of your materials tell the same story.