Performing Arts Theatre Instructor CV: How to write a CV for this role (with example)
Also known as: drama lecturer, acting teacher, theatre arts tutor, performing arts facilitator, conservatoire tutor, drama school instructor, theatre studies lecturer
As a performing arts theatre instructor, your role bridges the gap between academic theory and the visceral experience of the stage. You are responsible for moulding the next generation of actors, directors, and technicians, requiring a blend of pedagogical expertise and professional performance history. A strong performing arts theatre instructor CV must demonstrate that you can manage a studio while providing individual mentorship to students at a higher education or drama school level.
Crafting an effective CV means highlighting your dual identity as both an artist and an educator. This guide will show you how to emphasise your instructional methods, your performance background, and your commitment to student development within a conservatoire or university setting.
What does a Performing Arts Theatre Instructor do?
A performing arts theatre instructor operates primarily within specialised conservatoires, drama schools, or higher education institutions. Their main objective is to provide a comprehensive education that covers both the intellectual understanding of theatre history and the practical mastery of acting techniques, voice, movement, or directing. They design curricula that challenge students to step outside their comfort zones while ensuring they meet rigorous academic and professional standards.
Beyond the lecture hall, these instructors are often found in the studio or on the stage. They direct student productions, conduct technical workshops, and facilitate mock auditions to prepare students for the realities of the professional acting industry. Evaluation is a significant part of the role, requiring instructors to provide constructive feedback on performances and written work alike.
Key Responsibilities:
- ➜ Deliver theoretical instruction on dramatic literature, theatre history, and performance theory.
- ➜ Lead practical studio sessions in acting methods, movement, and vocal production.
- ➜ Direct departmental productions and supervise student rehearsals.
- ➜ Assess student performance through practical examinations and written assignments.
- ➜ Develop and update curriculum to reflect current industry trends and academic research.
- ➜ Mentor students on professional development and audition techniques for theatre, film, and television.
- ➜ Collaborate with faculty members to align disciplinary goals across the conservatoire.
How to write a Performing Arts Theatre Instructor CV
Your CV should present a narrative of artistic excellence and educational impact. It must satisfy both an academic search committee looking for research and teaching potential and a department head looking for practical, industry-hardened experience.
01 CV Structure
Begin with a professional summary that encapsulates your years of experience and pedagogical philosophy. Follow this with your teaching experience, emphasising institutional roles, and then provide a separate section for your professional artistic credits. Include sections for specific technical skills, education, and relevant professional affiliations (such as Equity or BECTU).
02 Professional Summary
Focus on your primary teaching areas and your highest artistic achievements. Mention the specific levels you have taught (e.g. undergraduate, postgraduate) and any unique methodologies you specialise in, such as Meisner, Stanislavski, or Viewpoints.
Example Summary
Dedicated Theatre Instructor and professional director with over 15 years of experience in higher education and professional stagecraft. Specialised in the Meisner technique and Shakespearean performance, with a track record of guiding students to placements in top-tier MA programs and West End productions. Committed to fostering an inclusive studio environment that balances rigorous technical training with creative exploration.
Example Achievement Bullets
- ➜ Redesigned the first-year acting curriculum, resulting in a 25% increase in student retention rates over three years.
- ➜ Directed 4 mainstage productions annually with budgets exceeding £30,000 per programme.
- ➜ Mentored 12 students who successfully secured lead roles in regional repertory theatre productions during their final year.
- ➜ Implemented a digital portfolio system that improved graduating student placement in the industry by 15%.
Experience Guidelines
Quantify your impact by mentioning student success rates, production budgets you managed, or the size of the cohorts you led. Use action verbs and focus on instances where your instruction led to measurable improvement in student outcomes or departmental growth.
Education Guidelines
List your highest degrees first. For theatre instructors, an MA or MFA is often considered the terminal degree and should be highlighted. Include the names of prestigious institutions and any specific concentrations within your degree programme.
Key skills for a Performing Arts Theatre Instructor
The following skills represent the intersection of pedagogical ability and technical theatrical knowledge required for this role.
Pedagogical Skills
Theatrical Expertise
Professional Soft Skills
Performing Arts Theatre Instructor CV example
This example showcases how an experienced instructor can balance their academic background with professional artistic credits.
Notes for adapting this example:
Ensure you customise the 'Professional Credits' section to reflect your actual work in the industry, as selection panels in the arts value recent professional relevance as much as teaching tenure.
Tips for a Standout Theatre Instructor CV
Include a link to your professional portfolio or directing showreel in the contact section.
Separate your teaching experience from your professional performance or directing credits to make the CV readable and logical.
Mention specific student successes, such as awards won by student-led productions you supervised or professional debuts.
Highlight any experience with Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives within a theatre context.
List memberships in professional unions such as Equity or the Stage Directors UK (SDUK).
Common mistakes in Theatre Instructor CVs
Failing to list professional performance credits alongside teaching experience.
Vague descriptions of teaching methods without naming specific techniques or influential practitioners.
Ignoring the technical aspects of theatre (production/lighting/sound) if the primary focus is acting.
A CV that is too long; while academic roles may expect detail, conservatoires prefer professional, focused relevance.
Omitting leadership experience such as departmental committee work, module leadership, or artistic directorships.
FAQ about Performing Arts Theatre Instructor CVs
What is the typical salary for a performing arts theatre instructor in the UK?
The salary for this role typically ranges from £38,000 to £65,000 yearly, depending on the seniority of the role and whether it is a permanent or visiting position. Salaries in London-based conservatoires often include a London Weighting allowance. (Source: Estimated market data)
Do I need a PhD to be a theatre instructor in the UK?
Not necessarily. In the UK performing arts sector, an MA or MFA is often considered the terminal degree for practitioners. However, a PhD or a record of high-level professional practice (REF-eligible) is increasingly preferred by universities for permanent lecturer positions.
How should I list my professional acting credits?
Create a dedicated section titled 'Professional Artistic Credits' or 'Selected Directing Credits'. List the production title, your role, the theatre company/venue, and the year. You can further categorise these into West End, Regional Theatre, and Screen.
Vitae.
Make your CV skimmable (and convincing)
Clean sections. Clear impact. No filler. Vitae helps you ship a version that reads like a pro.
Tailor my CVLast updated: 12/21/2025