Our Playwriting Courses
Learn How To Write A Play
We’ve been running playwriting courses for new, emerging, and established playwrights since 2012.
Previous participants of the courses have had their work performed at Royal Exchange, Harrogate Theatre, Contact Theatre, Oldham Coliseum , Kings Arms, Hope Mill , The Swan in Dobcross, Bread and Roses Theatre (London), 53Two , and two writers have had their work supported and developed by Graeae Theatre (London).
Work has been included in countless festivals, including 24:7, BAME festivals in London, and work published independently of WFTS.
We offer courses that cater to every level of experience - from never-written-before to established playwrights. And we've helped established artists in other mediums, such as poetry, to develop their first works for the theatre, including Tony Walsh, Jackie Hagan, and Karen Little.
Intro
Learn The Ropes
Thursday evenings, 7-9pm
Online - Zoom.us
The Intro course is aimed at developing the fundamental skills required to bring a story to life on the stage.
We explore approaches to developing characterisation by "mining the imagination" for starting points.
We explore theme and structure to help you get your ideas across in logical ways.
You'll write the first 10 pages of a script which will be included (if you choose to submit it) for the WFTS Showcase, held at Studio Salford at The Kings Arm; performed by professional actors during Studio Salford Development Week.
£150 for 10 week course
Progressing
Share. Develop. Exceed.
Tuesday evenings - 6-8pm
Online - Zoom.us
The Progressing course is for playwrights who have completed the Advanced course and wish to continue to develop their work, or for jobbing playwrights who want regular deadlines, group reading of their work, and live feedback.
We do lots of writing exercises aimed towards a deeper understanding of our characters and our stories, while examining devices in established texts that can help develop our work.
The aim of the Progressing course is to develop work started in WFTS Advanced to take it closer to a production-ready script, or to develop existing work if you haven't attended the prior courses.
The 10-week, online, tutorial-based course runs over 10 weeks and is open to international participants who write in English.
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Each work developed gets a slot at Development Week.
£150 for 10 week course
Advanced
Develop AÂ 60-Minute Script
Wednesday evenings, 8.15-10.15pm
Online - Zoom.us
The Advanced course is aimed at those who can demonstrate a solid grasp of the fundamentals of playwriting.
We look at complex stage writing concepts such as:
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the varying functions of dialogue
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creating tension via dramatic questions
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the total narrative
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actioning your text
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finding an ending
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subplot's relationship to character transformation
The aim of the Advanced course is to write a script of up to 60mins which will be performed (if you choose to submit it)
as a full rehearsed reading during Studio Salford Development Week.
There's plenty of opportunity to read each your work in a friendly, group-setting during each session.
£200 for 10 week course
Producing
From Page To Stage
Producing is perfect for writers and aspiring producers. The aim is to develop your script, learn all about producing for the thriving Manchester fringe and learn the skills you need to be in control of a production. You'll set up your own theatre company, find out about roles, casting, marketing, budgeting, the tech and get-in and apply for an Arts Council grant with support all along the way.
We develop the script in group tutorials and each session covers a different aspect of production.
£200 for 6 month course
Developing
One-To-One Sessions
The Developing level is aimed at those who have an existing theatre script which requires independent development feedback and assistive guidance. This could include pieces from the previous WriteForTheStage levels, or for anyone who has a script that requires development in order to get it to performance level.
Each session is up to 2 hours long, and takes place as a one-to-one consultation. Each consultation will include written feedback specific to your script, focusing on theme, structure, character development, use of dialogue, plot and pace. The consultations will be informal, open discussions, including the reading of the script.
The aim is to maximise the potential of the script in preparation for performance or competition / festival submission.
All pieces developed will be eligible for a slot at Studio Salford Development Week.
(NB - Development Week is open to all. Participation in one of the WriteForTheStage courses is not necessary for inclusion in the programme).
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Price per session is dependent on the length of the script (in standard script format)
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The price per session is dependent upon the length of your script (in standard script format)
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Up to 30 pages - £45
Up to 60 pages - £75
Up to 100 pages - £90
To learn more about the courses we offer, don’t hesitate to get in touch.