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.
13 courses available
Playwriting: a tasterGive 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 tasterGive 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
- Ways into screenwritingLearn 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 £269.00 Senior fee £269.00 Concession £175.00
- Ways into playwritingExplore 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 £269.00 Senior fee £269.00 Concession £175.00
- Advanced playwritingDive 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 £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £181.00
- Developing your screenwritingContinue 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 £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £181.00
- Ways into screenwriting: getting startedWant 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 £51.00
- Writing for televisionDo 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
- Introduction to writing microdramas: scripting the two-minute show
Curious about the microdramas taking over your phone? Learn the basics of writing vertical drama, the fastest-growing scripted format in the world.
Online
Sun 21 Feb 2027Bob SchultzFull fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00 - Joke writingUncover 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.
Online
Sat 13 Mar 2027Kate SmurthwaiteFull fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £97.00 - Write your screenplay: from idea to first draftA 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.
Online
Sat 20 Mar 2027Clive FordFull fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00 - Ways into playwriting: getting startedExplore 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 £51.00
- Screenwriting for feature filmHave 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.
Online
Tue 13 Jul 2027Sharmila ChauhanFull fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £116.00
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