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
- Ballet body conditioningCourse start date: Fri 9 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Alexander SimpkinsBallet body conditioning combines specifically sequenced exercises including elements of barre, floor work and centre practice and is designed to complement studies in ballet and acting. Ideal for those who already have good physical awareness and have studied a dance discipline at a basic level.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £139.00 - Piano: return to playingCourse start date: Fri 9 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Gary PrestonDid you once play the piano? Are you thinking of returning to playing? This short course, taught in a friendly and supportive environment, will help you refresh your dormant skills and re-kindle your passion for playing.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £139.00 - Drama therapy: intermediateCourse start date: Sat 10 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Dan SkiliInvestigate the role and function of drama therapy as a working model on this interactive course. Looking at a range of drama tools that can be used in therapeutic settings, you will explore aspects of Playback Theatre and Forum Theatre as methods for engaging with others. Fun, insightful and packed with tools you can use, this is a great introduction to applying theatrical processes to therapy.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £139.00 - Storytelling: tell your personal storyCourse start date: Sun 11 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: John EastmanTell your own personal story to others, and in so doing gain some perspective on how past events have shaped your life and how they will affect your future, while at the same time inspiring and informing others about life choices. The course will take place in a safe environment in the college.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £229.00 Concession £160.00 - Core energeticsCourse start date: Sun 11 May 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Kate MontagueCore Energetics is a body-mind practice designed to enhance your self-awareness, aliveness, creativity and focus, and a means to opening up physically, helping you to become aware of your energy flow.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £48.00 - Acting: improversCourse start date: Thu 1 May 2025 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Deirdre Strath ClydeContinue your development as you explore a range of exercises and acting techniques that will illuminate and enliven a variety of scripts and scenes. Consolidate techniques and deepen your understanding in a safe and supportive atmosphere.Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £195.00 - Shakespeare and the bodyCourse start date: Sun 11 May 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sean CroftUnlock Shakespeares hidden physical language through the work of Lecoq, Meisner, Michel Chekhov and Grotowski as we discover a deeper, more physically rooted and emotionally driven connection with Shakespeares work. No experience is needed for this short intensive course however an openness to explore and to develop text and physical performance simultaneously is necessary.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £69.00 - Acting for radio and podcast dramas: advanced workshopCourse start date: Sun 11 May 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: David GoodersonFine-tune your audio skills by performing in a BBC radio drama on this weekend workshop in the media studio. For those with lots of previous experience, either through courses or industry. - Recorders: return to playingCourse start date: Mon 12 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Layil BarrDiscover the joy of this delightful instrument. Learn the basics of fingering and articulation to play melodies both in unison and in ensemble. Please bring your own descant and/or treble. Break week: 26 May 2025.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £125.00 - 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 - Ballet at the barre: onlineCourse start date: Mon 12 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alexander SimpkinsAn online barre class from the comfort of your own home. The work you do at the ballet barre is the foundation for all the other work you do as a dancer. Improve your strength, balance and coordination. Not suitable for complete beginners.Full fee £119.00 Senior fee £95.00 Concession £83.00 - Early music ensembleCourse start date: Mon 12 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Layil BarrAn ensemble for musicians interested in learning the skills of playing consort music in different instrumental combinations (broken consort). It will be a journey exploring the variety of sound combinations in 17th century repertoire. Break week: 26 May 2025.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £160.00 - Ukulele 2Course start date: Mon 12 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Jake RodriguesIf you have already begun your ukulele career, come and learn new songs and tricks, chord theory, picking and split strokes, and apply these to popular and vintage tunes. Enjoy learning and playing in a group. Classes will include singing along!Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £104.00 - Ukulele 1Course start date: Mon 12 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Martin WheatleyLearn the essentials of playing the ukulele on this introductory course. You’ll learn complete songs from the first week. Strumming patterns will be taught and applied to various popular songs. By the end of term you should be able to accompany your own singing or play along to recordings.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £104.00
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