Cover letter help needed!

saisongbird

Ok ladies, I need some help.  I'm in danger of being excessed and in searching the job openings today, there's an opening for a secondary choral position with drama club responsibilities.  Ok, fine.  Here's the problem - this is my first year being in charge of the drama club and I'm stuck on how to write it up!  Here's what I do:

 - Play selection

 - Casting

 - Crew selection

 - Staging/blocking

 - Musical direction

 - Choreography

 - Set conception

 - Lighting design

 - Mobilization of parents to build sets (I had a forty-foot long, 3.5 foot high bridge built that holds weight and kids and adults can safely run and jump on it) paint sets (my sets were done by a pro artist and art teacher!), and design/print the program (16 page program set in publisher by a parent, and another parent's BIL owns a printing company and printed the program for us)

 - Costume design

 - Weekly communication with parents via email in addition to any individual issues that arise

 - Fundraising 

 - All this while being sensitive to the needs of 11-14 year old students 

 

Anything you ladies can come up with will be helpful.  I'm at a loss, because I don't have a lot of space to work with and I feel like this could be half a page of a cover letter in and of itself.  TIA! 

slpmay03

      I would just say I am writing to you because I am interested in the secondary choir postion with drama club responsibilities (or however they phrase the position.) I would say something like in my current position or (in my career) I have experience with choir and drama club and directed plays or whatever.  You could add this includes selecting plays, casting, staging, technical aspects or technical experience and fundraising.  I wouldn't include all mentioned above because that is too much....I would simplify that together.  Then, if they have an application or you are submitting a resume, that is where all the listed above would go (most likely on the resume under where you list your position and then what you did in that position.)  Be sure to add that your resume is attached in the cover letter.  I think the more concise the better.  That is my two cents!!   

lburkey21

slpmay03:

      I would just say I am writing to you because I am interested in the secondary choir postion with drama club responsibilities (or however they phrase the position.) I would say something like in my current position or (in my career) I have experience with choir and drama club and directed plays or whatever.  You could add this includes selecting plays, casting, staging, technical aspects or technical experience and fundraising.  I wouldn't include all mentioned above because that is too much....I would simplify that together.  Then, if they have an application or you are submitting a resume, that is where all the listed above would go (most likely on the resume under where you list your position and then what you did in that position.)  Be sure to add that your resume is attached in the cover letter.  I think the more concise the better.  That is my two cents!!   

I totally agree. You don't need to go into too much detail in the cover letter. The cover letter should be used to sell yourself and what you excel at, not necessarily all your responsibilities that you've had thus far for a specific job. Certainly note a few key skills that you've acquired during this past year of drama club, but it's not necessary to name them all. Those things should be outlined on your resume.

Good luck!!

benmel31

I agree with the pp to simplify your list.  You want to sell the key skills, especially those you excel at!  Choose the most important responsibilities to include in your cover letter.  The other ones can be mentioned in your interview that you will hopefully get with them!  

Good luck, Mel! 

Bubs711

While I agree with the pp's about simplifying your list for the cover letter (how is it that drama people end up coordinating SO much?!), you could also pick out one or two of the most important aspects to highlight.  Or you could sum it up with something like "I am currently in charge off all aspects of the middle school musical production.  I have successfully balanced directorial duties with those of producer, set and lighting designer, and coordinating staff and volunteers."  I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!