Play-reading
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
Sorry, this course is now full
- Course Code: DRM142
- Dates: 24/04/24 - 29/05/24
- Time: 14:00 - 16:00
- Taught: Wed, Daytime
- Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
- Location: Online
- Tutor: Simon Bowen
Course Code: DRM142
Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
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.
What is the course about?
These online play reading sessions are an inspiring way to gain a deeper feel and understanding of texts that you may be familiar with or are exploring for the first time. Plays are meant to spoken aloud and not read by oneself and reading can be enormous fun and this is a great opportunity to bring the plays to life. The sessions will appeal to anyone with an interest in the theatre, reading for pleasure or simply wanting to meet other members of the City lit community. Any acting students will also benefit from these classes as it is a fabulous opportunity to enter and inhabit the world of the play. You will look at themes, stories, writing styles and the historical context of the plays in a positive and enjoyable atmosphere. We will look at two contrasting plays during the course.
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?
• Sessions will begin with a very gentle and relaxing vocal warm up
• Reading of the texts
• Group Discussions on particular topics
• Themes
• Writing styles
• Historical context.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
Discuss the texts with confidence
Specify the main themes, Historical contexts and characteristic's of the set texts
Approach other play texts with greater confidence.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is open to all. The ability to listen and to learn from other students is important.
In order to get the most from the course you will be able to:
• Listen actively and communicate
• Read and analyse scripts to find meaning and clarity.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The ability to listen, to learn from other students, to work in groups.
In order to get the most from the course you will be able to:
• Listen actively and communicate clearly.
• Give and receive constructive feedback.
In whole and small groups.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Scanned copies of the plays will be available via google classroom. You may prefer to purchase your own copy.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Enrol onto the next play reading course where you will have the opportunity to explore further texts.
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.
