Playwright resume example
What makes this resume great
This resume stands out due to its clear focus on playwriting, supported by advanced education from top arts institutions and a strong record of relevant work experience. The candidate demonstrates a progression from freelance work to resident playwright, showing career growth. The skills section is tailored to the theatre industry, highlighting both creative and collaborative abilities. The inclusion of a professional website and LinkedIn profile adds credibility and accessibility. The resume is concise, well-organized, and directly relevant to the job title of Playwright.
Resume summary examples for Playwright
Example #1
Strong Summary
Award-winning playwright with an MFA in Dramatic Writing from NYU and over 9 years of experience developing original scripts for leading theatre companies. Skilled in character development, dialogue, and dramaturgy, with a proven track record of successful productions and collaborative workshop facilitation.
Weak Summary
I am a playwright who writes plays and has worked in theatre for several years.
Example #2
Strong Summary
Creative and detail-oriented playwright with a strong background in script development, editing, and theatre production. Adept at collaborating with directors and actors to bring compelling stories to the stage.
Weak Summary
I like working with people and writing stories for the stage.
Example #3
Strong Summary
Experienced playwright and dramaturg with a history of producing critically acclaimed works and facilitating workshops for emerging writers. Passionate about storytelling and advancing contemporary theatre.
Weak Summary
I have experience in theatre and enjoy writing plays.
Resume achievement examples for Playwright
Example #1
Strong Achievement
Wrote and developed 8 original plays produced by Independent Theatre Company, with 3 works receiving regional theatre awards and over 5,000 audience members reached annually.
Weak Achievement
Wrote plays for a theatre company.
Example #2
Strong Achievement
Facilitated 12+ script development workshops, mentoring over 40 emerging playwrights and improving script quality for City Arts Theatre productions.
Weak Achievement
Helped with workshops and worked with other writers.
Example #3
Strong Achievement
Collaborated with directors and actors to revise scripts, resulting in a 30% increase in positive audience feedback for new productions at City Arts Theatre.
Weak Achievement
Worked with directors and actors to improve scripts.
Essential skills for a Playwright
- Playwriting
- Script Development
- Storytelling
- Character Development
- Dialogue Writing
- Dramaturgy
- Collaboration
- Workshop Facilitation
- Editing
- Theatre Production
Resume best practices
Tailor Your Resume for a Playwright
Customize your resume for the specific position you're applying for. Use keywords from the job description and highlight the most relevant experience.
Keep It Concise and Focused
Ideally, your resume should be one page (two if you have extensive experience). Focus on achievements and essential information and avoid fluff.
Use a Clean, Professional Format
Stick to a simple layout with consistent font, spacing, and section headings. Use bullet points for readability. Avoid overly decorative fonts or colors.
Start with a Strong Summary
Write a compelling summary or objective at the top that briefly outlines your background, key skills, and what you bring to being a Playwright.
Emphasize Achievements Over Duties
Use bullet points to describe what you accomplished as a Playwright, not just what you were responsible for. Include measurable results when possible (e.g., "Increased sales by 25% in six months").
Use Action Verbs
Start bullet points with strong action verbs like "Led," "Developed," "Improved," "Streamlined," to convey impact and ownership.
Highlight Skills and Tools
Create a dedicated skills section that includes technical tools, software, or soft skills relevant to being a Playwright (e.g., Excel, Python, CRM systems, leadership, communication).
Include Education and Certifications
List your educational background and any relevant certifications or ongoing courses. Mention GPA if it’s strong (generally above 3.5) and you're early in your career.
Proofread Carefully
Avoid spelling or grammatical errors since they can be deal-breakers. Ask someone else to review your resume or use tools like Grammarly.