Performing Arts Courses & Classes in London and Online
City Lit offers performing arts courses in the heart of Covent Garden in Central London during the evening, daytime and at weekends. Explore our range of subjects including acting, (including accredited acting courses), dance, radio and screen, and voice, speech and communication as well as a full range of music courses, such as piano, singing, strings and wind instruments to jazz and pop, music technology, music theory and history
Our courses are labelled clearly for beginners or those with previous experience and you can speak to a specialist advisor to help you choose the right level. If you would you like some help or advice:
For music courses email music@citylit.ac.uk. You can also view our music auditions and advice page.
For drama, dance and speech courses email drama@citylit.ac.uk
- Using your voice for audio books and talking newspapersCourse start date: Mon 12 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: David ThorpeWould you like to narrate audio books? Are you interested in community work such as talking newspapers for the blind? Explore vocal skills and techniques required in these areas and identify what style works for you. This course will be delivered in the college.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £104.00 - Acting: beginners
Course start date: Sun 11 May 2025 (and 7 other dates)Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Cara JenningsExplore the fundamentals of acting on this practical course, designed for people with little or no experience of acting. Increase your confidence and discover your potential in a safe and creative environment.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £174.00 - Improve your speaking voiceCourse start date: Thu 15 May 2025 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Lloyd WyldeCome and improve your vocal skills through voice production and speech exercises. Learn about self presentation, develop spontaneity and gain greater confidence in your communication skills. This is a practical course based in the college.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £104.00 - Afrocentric drummingCourse start date: Sat 7 Jun 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Paul ChiversExplore your enthusiasm for drumming with African rhythms and their variations. Develop individual and group playing skills and learn how to apply a variety of percussive instruments to any musical style or setting.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £99.00 - Voice technique: improversCourse start date: Thu 12 Jun 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Kate MontagueThis course will support your extended vocal development with a focus on resonance, tonality and pitch. Open to those who have completed at least one voice course previously as well as professionals looking to refresh their skills.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £125.00 - Voiceovers: beginners Course start date: Fri 2 May 2025 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: John EastmanIn this highly popular course you will begin to explore ‘on mic’ the skills and techniques required across a range of audio/voiceover situations. The course will be delivered in our media studio.Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £299.00 Concession £209.00 - Debating: beginnersCourse start date: Wed 30 Apr 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Gavin IllsleyDebating requires the ability to speak English persuasively in public and, crucially, to respond rapidly to other people’s objections to what you say. We will cover the theory and practice of debating, and you will progress quickly in areas of content, strategy and style. A great mental workout.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £90.00 - Storytelling for business and pleasure 1Course start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ariella EshedAll cultures respect the world of Story. The ability to tell Stories, in a variety of settings, is a skill that has seen a strong resurgence both in the workplace and in contemporary performance. Gain greater confidence in your communication skills and apply this to your wider experience. This course will be delivered in the college.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £229.00 Concession £160.00 - Comedy writing and performing Course start date: Tue 6 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alan NixonExplore your comedy writing and performance potential under the guidance of an Emmy-award winning comedy producer/director. Alan Nixon shares the skills behind creating powerful comedy using classic and modern techniques.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £139.00 - Improvisation Course start date: Mon 27 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Mark PhoenixEnrich and develop your skills in this improvisation course. Working in a safe and supportive atmosphere, you will learn and practice the key techniques needed for performing effective improvisations. - Accents: Standard EnglishCourse start date: Tue 28 Oct 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Jonathan MulquinDo you feel stuck in a regional or international accent? Would you like to learn how to speak Standard English? This course is not for speakers of other languages who should take English Pronunciation courses instead.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £90.00 - Directing theatre: beginnersCourse start date: Tue 28 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Simon BowenDiscover the practical elements of directing for the theatre, working on text analysis and beginning to build your director’s toolkit. Learn to motivate actors and create believable, engaging performances as you explore a range of modern texts.
Can't see a course you want?
Add this category to your waiting list to set up alerts and we will update you when new courses are released online.
Add me to waiting list