Choreographer Cover Letter: Example, Template + How to Write One in Australia

Choreographer Cover Letter Example (Text Version)

How to Format a Choreographer Cover Letter

• Length: Max 1 page (3–5 paragraphs)
• Font: Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman (10–12pt)
• Spacing: Single or 1.15 line spacing
• Margins: 1 inch on all sides
• File format: PDF

What to Include in a Choreographer Cover Letter (Australia)

Crafting an effective choreographer cover letter requires a strategic approach that demonstrates both your artistic vision and professional reliability to potential employers in Australia’s performing arts sector.

1. Contact Details: Include your full name, professional email, mobile number, LinkedIn profile, and most importantly, your portfolio website and Instagram or social media showcasing your choreographic work through video documentation.
2. Salutation: Address the letter to the specific artistic director, director of dance, or creative director. Research the company’s website, social media, or recent programmes to find the appropriate contact person.
3. Opening paragraph: Hook the reader by mentioning specific productions, artistic philosophies, or creative achievements of the organisation, state the opportunity you’re applying for, and provide a compelling summary of your experience including years as a choreographer, companies or productions you’ve worked with, and your movement specialisation or artistic focus.
4. Middle paragraph(s): Highlight your most relevant choreographic experience, specific works created, performances and audiences reached, and critical recognition. Quantify achievements where possible and demonstrate understanding of choreographic process, collaboration with creative teams, and your ability to develop movement that serves both artistic vision and dancer capabilities within Australian dance contexts.
5. Closing paragraph: Express enthusiasm for the opportunity, reference your portfolio with specific works relevant to their artistic aesthetic or production needs, and include a confident call to action inviting them to view your work and discuss how your choreographic approach aligns with their artistic vision.

Right vs Wrong Example

Entry-Level Choreographer Cover Letter Tips

Breaking into professional choreography in Australia requires strategic positioning that emphasises your creative vision, training, and emerging body of work alongside any performance experience.

• Focus on transferable skills and enthusiasm: Highlight choreographic training, student works created, strong understanding of movement principles, and any performance background demonstrating deep understanding of what works on stage
• Highlight course projects, volunteering or part-time work: Showcase your university or training institution choreographic showings, any youth or community dance teaching where you created original work, participation in choreographic development programmes or labs, or assistant choreographer experience
• Show career motivation: Demonstrate your commitment to choreographic practice through regular creation of new work, participation in choreographic platforms or showings, engagement with the dance community through performances or workshops, or documentation of your choreographic process showing artistic development

Entry-Level Cover Letter Sample for Choreographer

Top Mistakes to Avoid in a Choreographer Cover Letter

• Repeating your resume word-for-word: Your cover letter should convey your artistic philosophy and creative vision to complement your CV, not duplicate it
• Not addressing the company or opportunity directly: Failing to research the organisation’s artistic aesthetic, recent productions, or company ethos shows lack of genuine interest and artistic awareness
• Using filler phrases like “I’m creative” without proof: Instead, reference specific works created, movement innovations explored, or artistic problems solved through your choreographic process
• Neglecting to mention your portfolio: Choreography is a visual medium – your video documentation and portfolio are your most important credentials, yet many choreographers fail to prominently feature them
• Being too abstract without demonstrating practical capability: While artistic vision is important, choreographers must work within production realities, deadlines, and dancer capabilities – show you understand these practical dimensions

How to Tailor Your Cover Letter to a Job Ad

• Use keywords from the ad (but naturally): If they mention “contemporary,” “narrative-driven,” or “collaborative process,” incorporate these terms when describing your relevant experience
• Mirror the tone and priorities of the employer: A classical ballet company will value different qualities than a contemporary dance collective, musical theatre production, or commercial entertainment venue
• Mention specific experience if listed: Highlight your work in their preferred styles, experience with similar-sized casts, or familiarity with the technical demands they’ve specified
• Study their recent work thoroughly: Watch performances, read reviews, and reference specific productions to demonstrate genuine understanding of their artistic direction and how your work could contribute

How to Sign Off Your Choreographer Cover Letter

• Use “Sincerely,” “Warm regards,” or “Kind regards” for professional closing with artistic warmth
• Include full name, phone number, and email address for easy contact
• Add portfolio website and Instagram – these are essential for choreographers to showcase their work visually
• Make portfolio link prominent and ensure it contains high-quality video documentation of your best choreographic work

Cover Letter Signature Example

How to Submit a Cover Letter in Australia

• Always attach as a PDF (unless instructed otherwise) to maintain formatting across different devices and operating systems
• Label file professionally (e.g. JordanLee_CoverLetter_SydneyDanceCompany.pdf) for easy identification by artistic directors
• If submitting via email or online form, include a brief personalised message in the body along with your attached documents and portfolio link
• Follow submission guidelines exactly – arts organisations often have specific requirements for video length, work samples, artistic statements, or referee details
• Include portfolio link prominently in every communication – your choreographic work speaks louder than words in dance applications

Final Tips for Writing a Great Choreographer Cover Letter

• Make every sentence count – avoid dance clichés about “passion” and instead provide specific examples of works created, artistic problems solved, or movement innovations explored
• Use evocative, professional language that reflects your artistic sensibility whilst maintaining clarity and professionalism
• Proofread carefully – attention to detail in your writing suggests the same care you bring to choreographic craft
• Match tone to employer (formal for established companies, more expressive for independent or experimental contexts)
• Quantify achievements where possible – mention performances, audiences, reviews received, or awards with specific details
• Show collaborative spirit – choreography is inherently collaborative, so demonstrate your ability to work effectively with dancers, designers, and creative teams

More Resources for Job Seekers

Complete your application with our detailed Choreographer Resume Examples that perfectly complement your cover letter and showcase your choreographic experience effectively. For complex application processes, our Selection Criteria Templates will help you address capability requirements with confidence. Once you secure that interview, prepare thoroughly with our comprehensive guide to Common Interview Questions to demonstrate your expertise in person.

Your cover letter serves as an important introduction to your choreographic practice in Australia’s vibrant performing arts sector. By following these guidelines and adapting our examples to reflect your unique artistic voice and choreographic approach, you’ll be well-positioned to capture the attention of artistic directors and creative producers across the country. Remember that community engagement through organisations like Ausdance (the peak body for dance in Australia), participation in choreographic development programmes like those offered by Carriageworks or Critical Path, and staying connected with the Australian dance community through festivals and showings can significantly enhance your professional network and opportunities. The Australian choreography sector continues to evolve, influenced by increasing recognition of First Nations dance makers and cultural protocols in creating work on Country, growing emphasis on inclusive choreographic practice that welcomes dancers of all bodies and abilities, integration of digital technologies and interactive media into live performance, heightened awareness of dancer wellbeing and sustainable creative practices, diverse funding models including crowdfunding and philanthropic support alongside traditional arts grants, and ongoing challenges around fair pay for choreographers and sustainable careers in dance. Make sure your cover letter demonstrates not just your movement invention and artistic vision, but also your understanding of contemporary choreographic practice including collaborative creation with dancers, cultural sensitivity when engaging with stories and movement practices outside your own experience, commitment to safe dance practices that prioritise dancer physical and psychological wellbeing, awareness of production practicalities including budget constraints and venue limitations, and your dedication to contributing meaningfully to Australia’s dance ecology through creating work that engages audiences, develops dancers, and advances the art form. Show your awareness that successful choreographers must balance uncompromising artistic vision with pragmatic collaboration, understanding that great choreography emerges from deep knowledge of movement possibilities, genuine engagement with dancers as creative partners, and the ability to craft experiences that resonate emotionally whilst challenging audiences aesthetically.