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
- 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 - Screen acting: beginnersCourse start date: Wed 17 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Gary GrantWork in a safe and supportive environment to learn skills and techniques to be able to act truthfully on camera. This is a practical course taught by a highly experienced screen actor.Full fee £329.00 Senior fee £329.00 Concession £230.00 - Sing musical theatre: ensembleCourse start date: Wed 21 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Katherine StrohmaierLearn to sing and perform ensemble numbers from popular Broadway and West End shows, from standard classics to modern musicals. Gain confidence performing as a group, and enjoy singing solo within an ensemble.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £174.00 - The art of negotiatingCourse start date: Wed 30 Apr 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Gavin IllsleyNegotiation is a communication skill essential in solving problems and reaching your goals. Learn to prepare well and to feel confident using logical and emotional tools to achieve great outcomes. The course will be taught in the college.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £90.00 - Contemporary dance: general levelCourse start date: Wed 30 Apr 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Orley QuickDevelop your physicality while further enhancing your understanding of contemporary dance, through technical exercises, dynamic travelling and fluid phrases. This class is appropriate for people who are ready to move on from the beginners course or who have previous dance experience.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £69.00 - Debating: improversCourse start date: Wed 11 Jun 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Gavin IllsleyFor those who have some experience in debating or related courses, you will progress quickly in areas of content, strategy and style, while honing your articulation and enunciation. The course will be delivered in the college.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £90.00 - Acting for radio and podcast dramas: improversCourse start date: Wed 11 Jun 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: David GoodersonExplore microphone techniques and demands across different areas of acting work in radio and podcast dramas. For those who have completed a beginners’ course or have previous relevant industry experience. This course will be delivered in the media studio.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £174.00 - Mixing and music production techniquesCourse start date: Wed 18 Jun 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Max La VillaIdeal if you know the basics of music production but want your music to sound more polished and professional. Tips and tricks for mixing, using compressors, limiters, EQ, reverb and other devices.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £199.00 - Screen acting: improversCourse start date: Mon 30 Jun 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Gary GrantBuild your confidence and strengthen your camera technique in this improvers class. Work towards creating more truthful screen performances.Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £299.00 Concession £209.00 - Sing BroadwayCourse start date: Wed 16 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Richard Hartley-WilsonLearn to perform ensemble numbers from popular Broadway and West End shows, from standard classics to modern musicals. Gain confidence in performing as a group, and enjoy singing solo within an ensemble. - Ear trainingCourse start date: Wed 16 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Della RhodesEnhance your aural awareness of the mechanics of music and improve your recognition of, and response to, music in practice. Sing intervals, scales and harmonies on this short practical course.Full fee £49.00 Senior fee £49.00 Concession £49.00 - Sing musical theatre workshopCourse start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Katherine StrohmaierThis popular course explores musical theatre singing. Grow your knowledge of the repertoire. Suitable for singers and actors wanting to improve their singing and acting through song technique. Be guided through the basics to find the right singing qualities for this repertoire.Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £299.00 Concession £209.00 - Recorder ensemble: study dayCourse start date: Wed 23 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Caoimhe de PaorLearn to play ensemble music for recorders, with repertoire ranging from early to present day. Suitable for recorder players who have been learning for at least a year and can read music. - Sing opera workshopCourse start date: Wed 23 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Trevor AlexanderA lively short workshop class for singers with some solo experience: employ your vocal technique in a more flexible and artistic way and deepen your understanding of critical evaluation of singing. This workshop will have a focus on Operatic repertoire and the techniques required for this demanding genre. - Debating: intensiveCourse start date: Wed 23 Jul 2025
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. In this shorter, intensive version of our highly popular course, 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.
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