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Courses Tailor Made For Distance Learning
If you want to learn
how to write a play for the stage,
you've come to the right place
Learn in your lunch hour
Writing is famously 10% inspiration, 90% perspiration. Lots of us have a great idea for a play, but perhaps not the existing skill set to develop it. It will always stay at that 10%.
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That's what our Lunch-Hour online classes are all about.
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All you need to join in is a mobile phone, tablet or laptop and an hour, once a week for 15 weeks.
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You'll need a free video conferencing application (Zoom) and some headphones with a microphone. It works on Apple and Android devices (downloadable for free from relevant App Stores) and on laptops and desktops (downloadable from Zoom.us)
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We've been running online sessions as part of our standard courses for a couple of years now. Whenever a student can't make a class, we let them join in from the comfort of their own homes over the internet. We've been running the Producing course from Levenshulme in Manchester and Thessaloniki in Greece as one of our students has moved out there for a while. It works perfectly. So we're confident that wherever you are in the world, we'll have a course for you.
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And you can join in with Development Week on Facebook Live and see your words come to life in front of an audience who will give you feedback.
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If you have any queries, please get in touch using the contact box.
Introductory
Thursdays 12pm (GMT)
Online
The Intro course is aimed at developing the fundamental skills required to bring a story to life on the stage.
We spend a lot of time exploring character, including different approaches to developing characterisation. We "mine the imagination" for starting points and ideas (often ones you didn't even realise you had). We explore theme and how that drives a story in relation to your characters, and how an understanding of structure and action can help you to pace your story, developing a character arc that is satisfying to both your story and to an audience. We do loads of exercises that are aimed at getting ideas out of your head and onto paper.
The aim of the Intro course is to write a script (of up to 15mins) which will be included (if you choose to submit it) for the WFTS Showcase, held at Studio Salford at The Kings Arms, which will be performed by professional actors and directed by accomplished, professional directors during Studio Salford Development Week.
£125 for 10 week course
Advanced
Wednesdays, 12pm (GMT)
Online
The Advanced course is aimed at those who have either completed the Intro course or can demonstrate the attributes learned through Intro (generally demonstrated by those who have had a play performed as a rehearsed reading (for example, at Studio Salford Development Week or similar) and can demonstrate a strong awareness of the fundamentals of the writing process).
We look at more complex stage writing concepts such as the varying functions of dialogue, setting up and answering dramatic questions to drive plot, the total narrative, complications & obstacles and 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, performed by professional actors, directed by accomplished, professional directors during Studio Salford Development Week.
The 10 week course is staggered (so the overall duration is longer than the Intro course). There are opportunities to read each piece in the session, then there are two "writing breaks" where you are given time to write.
At the final stage of the course, before the Development Week performances, professional actors will come in and read your script so that you can hear how it flows, in time for a final rewrite. Your piece will then be prepared for rehearsed reading.
£150 for 10 week course
Developing
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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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 - £60
Up to 100 pages - £75
Development Week
At the end of your course, your work will be included as a rehearsed reading at the ever-popular and industry-recognised Studio Salford Development Week. Your work will be performed by professional actors at a week-long showcase of brand new work, along with emerging talent from the region.
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Of course, you might not be close to us. In fact, if you're on one of our online courses, you might not even be in the same country. No fear - you can still be part of Development Week. From Development Week 10, we'll be broadcasting Live on Facebook. So you can still see your writing performed in another city!
Development Week isn't just for participants of the courses, though.
Click here for more details about Development Week and how to get involved if you haven't completed a WFTS course. It's free to get involved and is a great opportunity to develop your work.
