Online Writing for Stage and Screen Courses
Bring your stories to life on stage or screen with City Lit’s online writing courses. Whether you’re interested in playwriting, screenwriting or writing for TV, our expert-led courses will help you develop the skills and structure needed to write compelling scripts from home.
Explore the key elements of dramatic writing — from character and dialogue to pacing, tension and visual storytelling. With live online sessions, peer discussion and personalised tutor feedback, you’ll learn how to shape your ideas into scripts that connect with audiences.
Our online courses are suitable for all levels, whether you're writing your first scene or developing a larger project. You’ll work in a supportive, creative environment that gives you space to experiment, gain confidence, and refine your craft.
Explore our online writing for stage and screen courses today and start telling stories made to be seen and heard.
- Ways into screenwriting: getting started
Course start date: Sun 20 Jul 2025 (and 2 other dates)Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alan NixonWant to write scripts but don't know how to start? Discover the basics of screenwriting - character, conflict and more - on this online taster course that will help you shape your ideas and get your story going.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Joke writing Course start date: Sat 17 May 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Kate SmurthwaiteUncover the workings of the classic one-liner, practise joke writing and find out what makes a good joke. Learn how to refine and develop your own writing skills for stand up, comedy writing and pleasure. - Writing a short film Course start date: Sun 1 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sharmila ChauhanWould you like to write a script for a short film? This short course offers an insight into the fundamentals of screenwriting through tutor input, writing exercises, group work and discussion. - How to pitch your screenplay Course start date: Sat 5 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alan NixonYou've worked hard on a screenplay but how do you sell it? This short intensive course identifies tools you can select to create a compelling Pitch Treatment.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing the personal: autobiographical theatre Course start date: Thu 17 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Brian MullinLearn how to select and shape your own life experiences into a dynamic text for live performance on this supportive online course. Suitable for those with some experience of creative writing.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £50.00 - Ways into playwriting: getting started Course start date: Sat 26 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sharmila ChauhanExplore the fundamental techniques of writing for the stage in this introductory short course. Get to grips with dialogue, character, story and structure, and start work on your own play.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Screenwriting for feature film Course start date: Tue 5 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sharmila ChauhanHave you ever wondered what goes into writing a screenplay? How is it different from theatre, radio or prose? Learn the basics of the craft and develop a script of your own in this creative and analytical workshop. - Writing for podcasts Course start date: Sat 9 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Eleanor PennyPodcasts are growing rapidly in popularity, and more and more people are making their own. Find out more about all the different kinds of writing involved in producing a podcast, hone your skills and, with support from your tutor, develop your own ideas for audio.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Jump start your play Course start date: Sat 16 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Brian MullinHave you got a script idea but not yet put pen to paper, or a script you started but never finished? This intensive short course will help you inject new energy into your idea – and get started writing. Only suitable for those with playwriting experience. - Writing comedy for TV in the online age Course start date: Sat 16 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alan NixonDo you want to find out more about writing comedy? Explore some fundamental aspects of humorous scriptwriting for television, beginning with sketches, and looking at sitcoms from initial idea through to finished script.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Screenwriting: a taster Course start date: Sat 13 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Give screenwriting a try in this fun and supportive one-off taster session. Ideal if you want to unlock your imagination and express yourself, but need a bit of encouragement to get started.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Playwriting: a taster Course start date: Tue 9 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Nicole AcquahGive playwriting a try in this fun and supportive one-off taster session. Ideal if you want to unlock your imagination and express yourself, but need a bit of encouragement to get started.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Ways into screenwriting Course start date: Wed 17 Sep 2025 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Nico MensingaLearn to write for the screen on this practical, introductory course. Writing exercises, presentations and screenings will teach you key skills, and you’ll begin to produce work and an outline for a full-length project.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - Advanced playwriting Course start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Brian MullinDive deeper into the key elements of writing for the theatre, gain fresh critical insight into your own writing, and produce a new draft of your work. This course is designed for experienced playwrights who have work in-progress.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - Developing your screenwriting Course start date: Wed 14 Jan 2026 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Billy CookContinue your screenwriting journey in this practical intermediate course. Writing exercises, presentations and screenings will teach you key skills, and you’ll begin to produce work and an outline for a full-length project.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00
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