Writing the queer play

What is the course about?

This course offers a unique opportunity to explore your own writing and challenge yourself to dig deep into the queer experience to create compelling scripts for the stage. It is a chance to experiment and to push the boundaries within a safe and supportive environment.

Note - the course includes a 2-hour lunch break.

This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

What will we cover?

Using extracts from queer plays we will examine:

- The construction of queer identities in a dramatic setting.
- Queer dramatic landscapes
- Queering character and plot
- Queer signifiers.
- Queer playwrights
- Developing the writer’s voice.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- Create your own compelling queer characters
- Use traditional story structures to outline your own queer play
- Create compelling dialogue
- Generate original storylines
- Give and receive feedback on written work with confidence.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is suitable for writers who have an interest in the queer play and some basic experience of playwriting. It will offer you insight and inspiration to embark on your next writing project. You will need to be fluent in English.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

You will learn through interactive tutor presentation, discussion and analysis of published extracts of plays, group work, writing tasks, and feedback on your work. There will be optional homework set outside of class.


All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit.

For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.

City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

No additional costs. You may wish to bring a pen and paper.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

You can enrol on one of our term-long playwriting courses such as Ways into Playwriting (beginner) or Developing your Playwriting (intermediate), if you have more experience and feel confident receiving rigorous feedback on a work in progress, one of our Advanced Playwriting options. You may also be interested in exploring the queer experience in stories and novels with Reading for Writers: Queer Fiction. To browse our full range of creative writing courses, visit www.citylit.ac.uk/creativewriting.

All students are invited to join us at Late Lines, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to Between the Lines, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Twitter.