Write for the stage. Shape compelling stories. Bring characters to life.
If you’ve ever wanted to write for the theatre, our Playwriting Course is the perfect place to begin.
Across a series of practical, discussion-led sessions, you’ll explore the craft of writing for live performance - learning how to structure a play, create dynamic characters, and write dialogue that truly connects with an audience.
This course is both analytical and creative. You won’t just learn about stagecraft - you’ll actively develop your own work, either crafting a complete one-act play or building a substantial scene from a longer piece.
With supportive guidance and constructive feedback from your tutor, you’ll gain the tools and confidence to shape your ideas into theatrical writing that works on stage.
What You Will Learn
Throughout the course, you will:
- Understand the core principles of writing for theatre
- Explore story structure specifically for live performance
- Develop active, purposeful characters with strong narrative arcs
- Write dialogue that feels authentic and performable
- Use subtext and visual metaphor effectively
- Understand how plays communicate through action and staging
- Cultivate your own distinctive voice as a playwright
Each week includes discussion, practical exercises and dedicated writing time to help you build your script.
CLASSES STARTING SOON
| DATE | DAY | TIME (BST) | DURATION | TUTOR | VENUE | PRICE | BOOKING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Mar 2026 - 26 Apr 2026 | Sun | 13:30-16:00 | 6 weeks (no class 5 Apr) | Marcelo Dos Santos | City Academy, Farringdon | £327.25
15% OFF
| Book Now Click the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 9 Jun 2026 - 14 Jul 2026 | Tue | 18:30-21:00 | 6 weeks | Ashley Scott Layton | City Academy, Farringdon | £385.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 6 Sep 2026 - 11 Oct 2026 | Sun | 14:00-16:30 | 6 weeks | Writing Tutors | City Academy, Farringdon | £385.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 13 Nov 2026 - 18 Dec 2026 | Fri | 18:15-20:45 | 6 weeks | Writing Tutors | City Academy, Farringdon | £385.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| DATE | DAY | TIME (BST) | DURATION | TUTOR | VENUE | PRICE | BOOKING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Mar 2026 - 26 Apr 2026 | Sun | 13:30-16:00 | 6 weeks (no class 5 Apr) | Marcelo Dos Santos | City Academy, Farringdon | £327.25
15% OFF
| Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 9 Jun 2026 - 14 Jul 2026 | Tue | 18:30-21:00 | 6 weeks | Ashley Scott Layton | City Academy, Farringdon | £385.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 6 Sep 2026 - 11 Oct 2026 | Sun | 14:00-16:30 | 6 weeks | Writing Tutors | City Academy, Farringdon | £385.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 13 Nov 2026 - 18 Dec 2026 | Fri | 18:15-20:45 | 6 weeks | Writing Tutors | City Academy, Farringdon | £385.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
Select your Entry Level:
PAYMENT OPTIONS
You are welcome to join the course up to the second class.
ONLINE & PHONE PAYMENTS
Online – To book your selected class/course online, just click Book Now next to your chosen class/course.
Phone – We would be happy to take your booking over the phone, just call us on 020 7042 8833 .
CASH & CHEQUE PAYMENTS
Cash - You are welcome to pay cash, just come and see us at our office: City Academy, 10 Herbal Hill, London EC1R 5EG.
If you book 2 or more different classes/courses at a time we can offer you a 10% discount. If you wish to take advantage of this offer please enter 2ORMORE in the promotional code box when booking online or quote code when booking over the phone. Please note that this offer cannot be applied when you are booking two or more of the same class/course.
INDUSTRY TUTORS
City Academy tutors are experienced artists and performers that work in the industry. If your tutor's availability changes at short notice, our team will arrange for a suitable replacement and notify you in advance.
CANCELLATIONS POLICY
We offer a full refund or full credit of your original course if you cancel at least 72 hours before the start of your booking.
We cannot offer any refund if you cancel less than 72 hours before the start of your booking, or if you do not attend.
(For more information please see our terms and conditions)
| DATE | DAY | TIME (BST) | DURATION | TUTOR | VENUE | PRICE | BOOKING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Mar 2026 - 26 Apr 2026 | Sun | 13:30-16:00 | 6 weeks (no class 5 Apr) | Marcelo Dos Santos | City Academy, Farringdon | £327.25
15% OFF
| Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 9 Jun 2026 - 14 Jul 2026 | Tue | 18:30-21:00 | 6 weeks | Ashley Scott Layton | City Academy, Farringdon | £385.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 6 Sep 2026 - 11 Oct 2026 | Sun | 14:00-16:30 | 6 weeks | Writing Tutors | City Academy, Farringdon | £385.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 13 Nov 2026 - 18 Dec 2026 | Fri | 18:15-20:45 | 6 weeks | Writing Tutors | City Academy, Farringdon | £385.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
Select your Entry Level:
PAYMENT OPTIONS
You are welcome to join the course up to the second class.
ONLINE & PHONE PAYMENTS
Online – To book your selected class/course online, just click Book Now next to your chosen class/course.
Phone – We would be happy to take your booking over the phone, just call us on 020 7042 8833 .
CASH & CHEQUE PAYMENTS
Cash - You are welcome to pay cash, just come and see us at our office: City Academy, 10 Herbal Hill, London EC1R 5EG.
If you book 2 or more different classes/courses at a time we can offer you a 10% discount. If you wish to take advantage of this offer please enter 2ORMORE in the promotional code box when booking online or quote code when booking over the phone. Please note that this offer cannot be applied when you are booking two or more of the same class/course.
INDUSTRY TUTORS
City Academy tutors are experienced artists and performers that work in the industry. If your tutor's availability changes at short notice, our team will arrange for a suitable replacement and notify you in advance.
CANCELLATIONS POLICY
We offer a full refund or full credit of your original course if you cancel at least 72 hours before the start of your booking.
We cannot offer any refund if you cancel less than 72 hours before the start of your booking, or if you do not attend.
(For more information please see our terms and conditions)
-
City Academy, Farringdon
10 Herbal Hill,
All City Academy tutors are experienced professionals from theatre, film/TV and performance industries. So whilst they're training you they may also be rehearsing for a West End show or working on a movie. We like that and we do believe it makes a difference in class.
Kick-start your writing, whether you have an existing idea that you would like to develop or you’re still looking for inspiration on our Creative Writing Summer School
Continue your journey
After you have completed your course - we recommend continuing your journey on one of the following courses:
Sign up for our
Newsletter
Tailored news, the latest offers and industry advice straight to your inbox.
Read our privacy policy.