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
- Introduction to music productionCourse start date: Fri 3 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Max La VillaCome and learn the basics of recording and editing using a free or cheap digital audio program that can run on either Mac or PC. Turn your musical ideas into completed songs you can share!Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £139.00 - Acting for wellbeingCourse start date: Tue 7 Feb 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Juliet PragueIncrease your physical and emotional wellbeing through playful and fun acting exercises. Connect, take notice, be active, learn new skills, become more present and engaged with others using tools drawn from actor training.Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £87.00 Concession £71.00 - ImprovisationCourse start date: Mon 20 Feb 2023
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.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £84.00 - BurlesqueCourse start date: Tue 21 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Gwendoline LamourBurlesque is an empowering and expressive performance art. Learn the basics of burlesque movement and dance, in this glamorous and fun class exploring the posture, deportment, style and elegance of showgirl movement.Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £109.00 - Acting ShakespeareCourse start date: Wed 22 Feb 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Simon DarwenRehearse scenes and speeches from various Shakespeare's plays. Create vivid performances that are both true to life and true to Shakespeare’s language.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £84.00 - Debating: beginnersCourse start date: Wed 22 Feb 2023 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
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. This course will be taught in the college.Full fee £119.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £77.00 - Voice technique: improversCourse start date: Thu 23 Feb 2023 (and 1 other date)
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. This course will be taught in the college.Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £139.00 Concession £90.00 - Improve your speaking voiceCourse start date: Thu 23 Feb 2023 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Giles AbbottImprove the quality of your voice and standard of speech through relaxation, stance, breath capacity/control, articulation, forward placing and expression. This course will be delivered in the college.Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £111.00 Concession £90.00 - Acting for funCourse start date: Thu 23 Feb 2023 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Laura BaggaleyAn acting class purely for the joy of it! This course is suitable for complete beginners, those with a little experience, and anyone wanting to enjoy acting exercises and scenes in a relaxed, low-pressure environment. Gain confidence, make friends, develop new skills and have fun.Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £87.00 Concession £71.00 - Voiceovers: advancedCourse start date: Fri 24 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: David ThorpeExpanding on the skills mastered in the Improvers course, you will gain deeper experience in microphone and voiceover techniques, working towards a higher professional standard. This more challenging course will provide you with a focused range of audio/voiceover materials.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £139.00 - Acting: sceneworkCourse start date: Fri 24 Feb 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Lawrence LambertDevelop your acting skills in this fun and stimulating workshop. Develop your technique as you explore text and a range of exercises designed to help you create an authentic and truthful performance.Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £139.00 Concession £90.00 - Acting improvers: character workCourse start date: Fri 24 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Laura BaggaleyDevelop your acting skills and build confidence on this improvers course. Using both improvisation and text, we will explore various techniques for building distinctive characters, with an emphasis on playful discovery and fun!Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £87.00 Concession £71.00 - Using your voice for audio books and talking newspapersCourse start date: Mon 27 Feb 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Richard HollingworthWould 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 £109.00 Senior fee £109.00 Concession £71.00 - Introduction to film musicCourse start date: Mon 27 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Pauline GreeneMusic has always been an important part of film-going, filling the silence and creating sometimes startling effects. We will look at the way directors have used music to enhance, enrich and enthral audiences from cinema’s earliest days.Full fee £119.00 Senior fee £95.00 Concession £77.00 - Speak Shakespeare monologues and scenes: Richard IIICourse start date: Wed 1 Mar 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Vernon ThompsonWhether you are preparing a Shakespearean monologue for audition or simply have an interest in their structure, rhythm and poetry, this course enables you to work on and speak monologues from the Histories with confidence. We focus on the study of Richard III monologues and duologues; we hope there will be a chance to make a visit offsite to Lincoln's Inn Library where Shakespeare's 2nd Folio is preserved. The course is in the college.Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £87.00 Concession £71.00
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