Discover the practical elements of directing for the theatre, working on text analysis and beginning to build your director’s toolkit. Learn to motivate actors and create believable, engaging performances as you explore a range of modern texts.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
To introduce you to the practical work of directing scenes and plays. To develop your confidence through the application of useful tools and techniques. As a tool of supporting the other aspiring directors you will also act in some scenes. No acting experience necessary.
What will we cover?
The course will provide knowledge of a range of plays and their directing requirements. You will get an opportunity to explore the relationship between the actor and director, as well as the rehearsal process.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Through practical exercises, understand how to block (shape) a scene. - Understand character motivation, the use of actions and units, and incorporate these into scenes. - Work on and adapt to a range of plays.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is for those who wish to experience directing. In order to get the most from the course you will be able to: • Listen actively and communicate clearly. • Give and receive constructive feedback. • Read and analyse scripts to find meaning and clarity. • Take notes.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Group work and pair work depending on the casting requirements for each play.
HEALTH CHECK You may or may not be asked to participate in rigorous activity from time to time. Please consider whether you could do this, if you are in any doubt consult a medical practitioner.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Sets of plays will be provided but if you would like your own copies you must buy them. The choice of plays will always be announced in advance.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Enrol onto Directing Theatre: Improvers to increase confidence and help to define your style and directors voice. A solid class in general acting would be very useful to learn and become aware of the 'actors process'.
Simon Bowen’s credits as a professional actor include appearances at The National Theatre, Hampstead Theatre and Bristol Old Vic, as well as dramas for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4. He wrote ‘Free’ for the National Theatre, ‘From London With Love’ for BBC Radio 4, and ‘Whitebaby’ and ‘Waterloo’ for Paines Plough. He has also been a writer on attachment at Soho Theatre and the National Theatre Studio. Simon has directed plays and development workshops in a wide variety of settings including Soho Theatre, The Arcola, The Park Theatre, Theatre 503 and The Bunker Theatre. At City Lit, Simon currently teaches theatre-directing and play-reading.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/directing-theatre-beginners146243Directing theatre: beginnershttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/a/c/acting-directing-theatre-course-drb090.jpg299299GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Acting and theatre/Courses/Performing arts/Acting and theatre/Directing/Courses/vm/Courses to boost your CV2285131413151319191312285131413151653Discover the practical elements of directing for the theatre, working on text analysis and beginning to build your director’s toolkit. Learn to motivate actors and create believable, engaging performances as you explore a range of modern texts. <div data-content-type="html" data-appearance="default" data-element="main">To introduce you to the practical work of directing scenes and plays. To develop your confidence through the application of useful tools and techniques. <br />
<br />
This is a live online course. You will need:<br />
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.<br />
- 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.<br />
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.<br />
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.</div>352926065Directing theatre: beginners299299https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/a/c/acting-directing-theatre-course-drb090_28.jpgInStockEveningTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-04-14T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersApr 2026Performing artsDRB092299299Directing theatre: beginners299209299Simon Bowendirecting-theatre-beginners/drb092-2526Discover the practical elements of directing for the theatre, working on text analysis and beginning to build your director’s toolkit. Learn to motivate actors and create believable, engaging performances as you explore a range of modern texts.0000-Available|2026-04-14 00:00:00To introduce you to the practical work of directing scenes and plays. To develop your confidence through the application of useful tools and techniques. As a tool of supporting the other aspiring directors you will also act in some scenes. No acting experience necessary.Discover the practical elements of directing for the theatre, working on text analysis and beginning to build your director’s toolkit. Learn to motivate actors and create believable, engaging performances as you explore a range of modern texts.The course will provide knowledge of a range of plays and their directing requirements. You will get an opportunity to explore the relationship between the actor and director, as well as the rehearsal process.- Through practical exercises, understand how to block (shape) a scene.<br/> - Understand character motivation, the use of actions and units, and incorporate these into scenes.<br/>- Work on and adapt to a range of plays.The course is for those who wish to experience directing.<br/> In order to get the most from the course you will be able to:<br/> • Listen actively and communicate clearly.<br/> • Give and receive constructive feedback.<br/> • Read and analyse scripts to find meaning and clarity.<br/> • Take notes.Group work and pair work depending on the casting requirements for each play.<br/> <br/> HEALTH CHECK<br/> You may or may not be asked to participate in rigorous activity from time to time. Please consider whether you could do this, if you are in any doubt consult a medical practitioner.Sets of plays will be provided but if you would like your own copies you must buy them. The choice of plays will always be announced in advance.Enrol onto Directing Theatre: Improvers to increase confidence and help to define your style and directors voice. A solid class in general acting would be very useful to learn and become aware of the 'actors process'.Acting and theatreDirectingvirtual3034009Directing theatre: beginners329329https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/a/c/acting-directing-theatre-course-drb090_29.jpgInStockEveningTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-10-27T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersOct 2026Performing artsDRB090329329Directing theatre: beginners329230329Simon Bowendirecting-theatre-beginners/drb090-2627Discover the practical elements of directing for the theatre, working on text analysis and beginning to build your director’s toolkit. Learn to motivate actors and create believable, engaging performances as you explore a range of modern texts.0000-Available|2026-10-27 00:00:00To introduce you to the practical work of directing scenes and plays. To develop your confidence through the application of useful tools and techniques. As a tool of supporting the other aspiring directors you will also act in some scenes. No acting experience necessary.Discover the practical elements of directing for the theatre, working on text analysis and beginning to build your director’s toolkit. Learn to motivate actors and create believable, engaging performances as you explore a range of modern texts.The course will provide knowledge of a range of plays and their directing requirements. You will get an opportunity to explore the relationship between the actor and director, as well as the rehearsal process.- Through practical exercises, understand how to block (shape) a scene.<br> - Understand character motivation, the use of actions and units, and incorporate these into scenes.<br>- Work on and adapt to a range of plays.The course is for those who wish to experience directing.<br> In order to get the most from the course you will be able to:<br> • Listen actively and communicate clearly.<br> • Give and receive constructive feedback.<br> • Read and analyse scripts to find meaning and clarity.<br> • Take notes.Group work and pair work depending on the casting requirements for each play.<br> <br> HEALTH CHECK<br> You may or may not be asked to participate in rigorous activity from time to time. Please consider whether you could do this, if you are in any doubt consult a medical practitioner.Sets of plays will be provided but if you would like your own copies you must buy them. The choice of plays will always be announced in advance.Enrol onto Directing Theatre: Improvers to increase confidence and help to define your style and directors voice. A solid class in general acting would be very useful to learn and become aware of the 'actors process'.Acting and theatreDirectingvirtual299,329299,329209,230DRB092,DRB090NONETue14/04/26 - 19/05/2618:15 - 21:1518:1521:156 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksEveningWeekdayKSKeeley StreetSimon BowenBeginnersAvailable courses2026-04-14T00:00:00+00:00,2026-10-27T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026,Oct 2026Performing arts299299,329Directing theatre: beginnersdirecting-theatre-beginners/drb092-2526,directing-theatre-beginners/drb090-2627Discover the practical elements of directing for the theatre, working on text analysis and beginning to build your director’s toolkit. Learn to motivate actors and create believable, engaging performances as you explore a range of modern texts.0000-Available|2026-04-14 00:00:00To introduce you to the practical work of directing scenes and plays. To develop your confidence through the application of useful tools and techniques. As a tool of supporting the other aspiring directors you will also act in some scenes. No acting experience necessary.Discover the practical elements of directing for the theatre, working on text analysis and beginning to build your director’s toolkit. Learn to motivate actors and create believable, engaging performances as you explore a range of modern texts.The course will provide knowledge of a range of plays and their directing requirements. You will get an opportunity to explore the relationship between the actor and director, as well as the rehearsal process.- Through practical exercises, understand how to block (shape) a scene.<br/> - Understand character motivation, the use of actions and units, and incorporate these into scenes.<br/>- Work on and adapt to a range of plays.,- Through practical exercises, understand how to block (shape) a scene.<br> - Understand character motivation, the use of actions and units, and incorporate these into scenes.<br>- Work on and adapt to a range of plays.The course is for those who wish to experience directing.<br/> In order to get the most from the course you will be able to:<br/> • Listen actively and communicate clearly.<br/> • Give and receive constructive feedback.<br/> • Read and analyse scripts to find meaning and clarity.<br/> • Take notes.,The course is for those who wish to experience directing.<br> In order to get the most from the course you will be able to:<br> • Listen actively and communicate clearly.<br> • Give and receive constructive feedback.<br> • Read and analyse scripts to find meaning and clarity.<br> • Take notes.Group work and pair work depending on the casting requirements for each play.<br/> <br/> HEALTH CHECK<br/> You may or may not be asked to participate in rigorous activity from time to time. Please consider whether you could do this, if you are in any doubt consult a medical practitioner.,Group work and pair work depending on the casting requirements for each play.<br> <br> HEALTH CHECK<br> You may or may not be asked to participate in rigorous activity from time to time. Please consider whether you could do this, if you are in any doubt consult a medical practitioner.Sets of plays will be provided but if you would like your own copies you must buy them. The choice of plays will always be announced in advance.Enrol onto Directing Theatre: Improvers to increase confidence and help to define your style and directors voice. A solid class in general acting would be very useful to learn and become aware of the 'actors process'.Acting and theatreDirectingconfigurable
13191315Directinghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/acting-and-theatre/directing1/2/285/1314/1315/13191/Courses/Performing arts/Acting and theatre/Directing
