Ways into playwriting

This course explores the fundamental techniques of writing for the stage: dialogue, character, structure, story and performance. This is a hands-on course and the emphasis is on practical and critical exercises. You will have a chance to read and respond to published work, and use it as a source of inspiration as you begin to produce your own dramatic writing, through in-class exercises and assignments.

Students like: "the enthusiasm and focus on the subject"; "the exercises that bridged the gap between theory and practice"; "it's made me push myself and try new things"; "the tutor was inspiring and the group felt supportive."

The Tutor: Writer/playwright Sue Healy has a PhD in modern theatre history and is Literary Manager at the Finborough Theatre. Her work has been developed by the Abbey and Criterion Theatres. Most recently, Imaginationship (2018) ran at the Finborough and Stephen Joseph in Scarborough, to acclaim. Cow (2017) showed at the Etcetera and Brazen (2016) at the King’s Head, funded by Arts Council England. Sue’s work has also been performed at the Hackney Attic, Claremorris Festival (New Writing Award winner), Brighton Festival (the Sussex Playwrights’ Award Winner) and Sterts Theatre. Her nine radio-plays have broadcast on BBC Radio 4 (Opening Lines winner), WLRfm and KCLR96fm. She also directs for stage. Sue has won prizes for her prose including the Molly Keane and HISSAC Awards, BBC Opening Lines and the Escalator Award. A UEA Creative Writing MA alumna, she also lectures in Creative Writing at the University of Portsmouth and the University of Lincoln. Sue is from Ireland and spent eleven years in Budapest, editing Hungary A.M.

City Lit reserves the right to change course tutors from those advertised in this outline. In line with our refund policy we are unable to grant a refund on the grounds of a change of tutor.