Playwriting: An Introduction

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Course Title

Playwriting: An Introduction

Meeting once a week for eight intensive lessons this playwriting course is an exciting opportunity to work with an established playwright to explore the fundamentals of writing a play.

By the end of the course you will have the tools you need to continue on your playwriting journey and have ideas for your plot, a developed breakdown of your characters and a fully written and analysed first scene. You will also be introduced to the skills involved in redrafting your script and working with notes.  In the final lesson, you will see your scene acted out by actors on one of our parallel courses.

Course Content

You will explore:

  • finding your idea
  • creating a structured plot
  • developing a character
  • creating dramatic action
  • writing effective dialogue
  • finding and nurturing your voice as a writer
  • how to submit work to theatre companies and publishers

If you go on to complete your play in your own time once the course has been completed, for an additional fee, you can submit your completed play to the tutor for written feedback.

Alternatively you may wish to continue on to Playwriting: Intermediate where you can return to further your development of your play and take the next steps towards completing your script under the guidance of the tutor.

Course Fees - £350
Course Dates

Wednesday 24 April - Wednesday 12 June

8 weeks, 8 sessions (Wednesdays), 7pm - 9.30pm | Book your place


Booking Information

Our courses are available on a first come, first served basis in order of payment.

To secure a place, please take the following steps:

  • Read through our Terms and Conditions before booking
  • Click on ‘Book your place’ above. Please make sure you are booking for the correct course and option (i.e. Mon/Wed or Tue/Thu if more than one option is available)
  • Click ‘Select’ and follow the steps through to the completion of booking
  • If your preferred dates are sold out, you can click ‘Join Waiting List’ and we will let you know if a place becomes available

This course is open access and may suit actors trying to write their one person show, comedians wanting to pin down their routine in writing, unpublished playwrights trying to fine tune their work and complete beginners who have an idea and want to find the most effective way to bring it to fruition. This is an excellent opportunity to gain a practical understanding of the playwriting process.

Days Various. The course consists of 8 sessions in total and is delivered once a week for 8 weeks.
TimesAll times listed are either GMT or GMT +1 (depending on the time of year).
AgeThe minimum age is 18 on the first day of the course. There is no upper age limit.
Max. class size16 students
Course DeliveryAll of the Evening Courses take place onsite at our Swiss Cottage campus in London. 
International students

We welcome International Students to our courses, however please ensure you are on the correct visa.

As our Evening Courses are classed as part-time, non-accredited short courses they are not eligible for a Tier 4 Student Visa however you may be eligible for a Short Term Study Visa.

Language requirementsApplicants must be confident speaking and reading English to a conversational level (IELTS score of 7.0 or equivalent). You may be expected to read texts/scripts that have advanced vocabulary.
AttendanceDue to the structure and the collaborative nature of the courses, full attendance is requested.
RefundsWe are able to offer a full refund up until 14 days before the course begins. After this, the course will become fully non-refundable.
Cancellations Central reserves the right to cancel this course if we do not meet the minimum number of participants. In this instance, a full refund will be made to you. We are unable to refund any other costs you may have incurred.

Recent Tutors

Jennifer Farmer

Jennifer Farmer is a writer for performance, participatory theatre-maker and facilitator, who centres underrepresented narratives and collaborates extensively with marginalised communities.

Jessica Siân

Jessica is a writer and performer based in London. Her work has been supported by the National Theatre New Works Department, Hampstead Theatre and The Almeida.

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