Online Writing for Stage and Screen Courses
Bring your stories to life on stage or screen with City Lit’s online writing courses. Whether you’re interested in playwriting, screenwriting or writing for TV, our expert-led courses will help you develop the skills and structure needed to write compelling scripts from home.
Explore the key elements of dramatic writing — from character and dialogue to pacing, tension and visual storytelling. With live online sessions, peer discussion and personalised tutor feedback, you’ll learn how to shape your ideas into scripts that connect with audiences.
Our online courses are suitable for all levels, whether you're writing your first scene or developing a larger project. You’ll work in a supportive, creative environment that gives you space to experiment, gain confidence, and refine your craft.
Explore our online writing for stage and screen courses today and start telling stories made to be seen and heard.
- Joke writing
Course start date: Sat 21 Mar 2026Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Kate SmurthwaiteUncover the workings of the classic one-liner, practise joke writing and find out what makes a good joke. Learn how to refine and develop your own writing skills for stand up, comedy writing and pleasure.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £65.00 - Write your screenplay: from idea to first draft Course start date: Sat 21 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Clive FordA good screenplay starts with a good story but it also needs structure, good characters and interesting twists. This is a course for writers who have an idea they think is ready to go. We’ll look at the best ways to grab the viewers’ attention from the off, and at the end of the course you’ll get a chance to pitch your ideas.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Ways into screenwriting: getting started Course start date: Sat 21 Mar 2026 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alan NixonWant to write scripts but don't know how to start? Discover the basics of screenwriting - character, conflict and more - on this short online course that will help you shape your ideas and get your story going.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Ways into playwriting: getting started Course start date: Sun 29 Mar 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Explore the fundamental techniques of writing for the stage in this introductory online course. Get to grips with dialogue, character, story and structure, and start work on your own play.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Ways into screenwriting Course start date: Mon 20 Apr 2026 (and 6 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alan NixonLearn to write for the screen on this practical, introductory course. Writing exercises, presentations and screenings will teach you key skills, and you’ll begin to produce work and an outline for a full-length project.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - Ways into playwriting Course start date: Wed 22 Apr 2026 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Dawn KingExplore the fundamental techniques of writing for the stage in this introductory course. Get to grips with dialogue, character, story and structure, and start work on your own play.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - Advanced playwriting Course start date: Tue 21 Apr 2026 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Brian MullinDive deeper into the key elements of writing for the theatre, gain fresh critical insight into your own writing, and produce a new draft of your work. This course is designed for experienced playwrights who have work in-progress.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00 - Writing for television Course start date: Tue 12 Jan 2027 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Bob SchultzDo you want to write a script for television? What do you write and where do you start? Through exercises and examples, this course will assist you in developing your own projects.Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £181.00 - Developing your screenwriting Course start date: Wed 22 Apr 2026 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Clive FordContinue your screenwriting journey in this practical intermediate course. Writing exercises, presentations and screenings will teach you key skills, and you’ll begin to produce work and an outline for a full-length project.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00 - Screenwriting for feature film Course start date: Tue 14 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sharmila ChauhanHave you ever wondered what goes into writing a screenplay? How is it different from theatre, radio or prose? Learn the basics of the craft and develop a script of your own in this creative and analytical workshop.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - Writing comedy for TV in the online age Course start date: Sat 8 Aug 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alan NixonDo you want to find out more about writing comedy? Explore some fundamental aspects of humorous scriptwriting for television, beginning with sketches, and looking at sitcoms from initial idea through to finished script.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Playwriting: a taster Course start date: Tue 8 Sep 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Nicole AcquahGive playwriting a try in this fun and supportive one-off taster session. Ideal if you want to unlock your imagination and express yourself, but need a bit of encouragement to get started.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Screenwriting: a taster Course start date: Sat 12 Sep 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alan NixonGive screenwriting a try in this fun and supportive one-off taster session. Ideal if you want to unlock your imagination and express yourself, but need a bit of encouragement to get started.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00
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