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 conditioning
Course 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 - Ukulele 1 Course start date: Fri 19 Sep 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 songs. By the end of term you should be able to accompany your own singing or play along to recordings.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00 - Acting: beginners Course start date: Fri 26 Sep 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 £319.00 Senior fee £319.00 Concession £223.00 - Introduction to acting Course start date: Fri 16 May 2025 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Cara JenningsA fun one day intensive encounter with the acting process. Increase your confidence and discover your potential in a safe and supportive environment.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £55.00 - Acting for fun 2 Course start date: Fri 16 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Laura BaggaleyAn acting class that’s all about having fun! This course is suitable for those with a little experience, confident beginners and anyone wanting to simply enjoy acting exercises and scenes. Develop your stagecraft skills and meet like-minded people as you work together on scripts and improvisations.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £139.00 - Acting: scenework Course start date: Fri 13 Jun 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Laura BaggaleyConsolidate your techniques as you rehearse and perform in a duologue and/or a monologue from a published play text in this intensive practical course.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £139.00 - Acting for fun Course start date: Fri 30 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Laura BaggaleyAn acting class purely for the joy of it! This course is suitable for complete beginners and those with a little experience. Enjoy acting exercises and scenes, gain confidence, make friends, and develop new skills in a fun environment.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £104.00 - Improve your speaking voiceCourse start date: Fri 6 Jun 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 by improving your communication skills in the workplace.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £104.00 - Afrocentric drummingCourse start date: Fri 10 Oct 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Paul ChiversExplore and indulge your enthusiasm for drumming with African rhythms and their variations. Enjoy improving your individual and group playing skills and learn how to apply a variety of percussive instruments to any musical style or setting.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £149.00 - Improvisation in classical music Course start date: Fri 13 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lindsey FillinghamSurvey the history of improvisation in Classical Music from Plainsong to Paganini on this short music history course. Break week: no lesson on 27th June.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £69.00 - Acting for radio: Theatre CompanyCourse start date: Fri 31 Oct 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: David GoodersonBecome part of a radio repertory company and take part in creating and recording for broadcast a performance of scenes from Arthur Wing Pinero's The Magistrate. For those with previous experience in acting and radio, either through courses or industry. Please click on Start Your Interview to apply; the Drama Department will contact you to progress your application.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £229.00 Concession £160.00 - Sampling, beat-making and synth programming Course start date: Fri 10 Oct 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Max La VillaLearn to create your own more original tracks by recording and manipulating samples, beats and synth sounds to individualise your sound.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £199.00 - Use your voice assertivelyCourse start date: Fri 16 Jan 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Lloyd WyldeDo you want to sound more confident, grounded, self-assured and assertive? Improve your vocal skills through a series of exercises that will support you to become more vocally confident, expressive and dynamic without appearing arrogant. This course will be delivered in the college.
Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £125.00 - Musicianship for singers: introductionCourse start date: Fri 25 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ruth BeckmannImprove your understanding of theory and musicianship in relation to the singing. This introductory course is for any singer who would like more understanding about the music they sing.
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