Writers' Group

Live Writers Group is aimed at budding writers who are passionate about theatre; this group is geared towards supporting you through the process of writing a one-act play.  Places are limited to 15. The next group runs from Wednesday 18 September to Wednesday 6 November 2013 (7-9pm) at Live Theatre and the course fee is £80/£60.

Sessions include: character development, dialogue, structure, theatricality and pitching your play.  There will also be sessions with guest writers and theatre practitioners who will give their hints and tips for creating successful plays. 
You will receive dramaturgical notes on your work in progress throughout the course and at the end of the group (once you’ve submitted your one-act play) you will receive a detailed feedback report.

A prerequisite for joining Live Writers Group is a commitment to work towards the completion of a one-act play. If you can’t make this commitment, this is not the group for you. You also need to have a sound grasp of the basic principles of playwriting; ideally gained by completing Live Theatre’s Introduction to Playwriting course or a similar course elsewhere.

HOW TO APPLY
Please note: Applications will open in July 2013 for this course.

Submit a 250-300 word synopsis of the play you would like to write along with a character list and the first three pages of dialogue. Your synopsis is not set in stone; you can make changes later if you wish to. The important thing is to have a solid idea that you can start working on (it must be a new piece rather than something you’ve been working on previously). We’d also like to know a little bit about you:What (if anything) have you written before? What do you want to write about?What do you hope to get from being a member of Live Writers’ Group? Where do you see your writing career in two years’ time? What is your favourite play; why do you like it? Are you able to commit to attending all eight sessions?

Please note: Applications will open in July 2013 for this course.

Stand-Up Comedy Workshops

Six Tuesdays from Tuesday 1 October 2013

Following the popularity of the inaugural Stand-Up Workshops for adults in autumn 2012, we are pleased to offer another opportunity for you to hone your comedy performance skills. Tutors John Scott and Vladimir McTavish, with special guests, guide you through creating an on stage character, using improvisation and stagecraft and shaping your material into a workable routine that you can try out at a special gig at the end of the course in Live’s Studio Theatre.

Why not come along to the Stand-Up Comedy Course Final Shows on Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 May to see what material our current students have been working on. Tickets are just £5.

Places are limited so book your place now to avoid disappointment.

DATES: Tues 1 Oct to Tues 5 Nov, 7-9pm
Final Shows on Tues 12 and Wed 13 Nov, 8pm
LOCATION: Studio Theatre
COST: £100; £60 concs

 

Introduction to Playwriting

Five Tuesdays from Tuesday 5 November 2013, 6.30 to 9pm

Fancy yourself as the next Lee Hall? Think you could be better than Shelagh Stephenson? Then get a head start with one of the country’s leading new writing theatre companies. Live Theatre has an international reputation for developing and nurturing talented playwrights and offers regular introductory workshops to get people writing relevant and engaging plays.

This popular course aims to give writers a sound understanding of the key elements of playwriting through a combination of practical exercises and discussion. What makes a great story and how do you tell it? What makes a character leap off the page? Learn about playwriting from people who know. Previous students of the course who have gone on to have work produced on our main stage include Lee Mattinson (Chalet Lines and Me & Cilla) and Fiona Evans (Geordie Sinatra and Geoff Dead: Disco For Sale). Places on Live Theatre’s free Introduction to Playwriting course are limited.
    
We are keen to receive applications from writers of all experience levels. Whether you’re completely new to writing or just new to writing for the stage, this course will ignite your passion for playwriting.
    
HOW TO APPLY
Please note: Applications will open in September 2013 for this course.

To apply please submit a brief synopsis of an original stage play. The synopsis can be from a stage play you have already written, one you are currently writing or one you would like to write. The synopsis should be no more than 250 words long.

If you’ve never written a synopsis before don’t be put off, all you need to do is break your idea down into three brief paragraphs:

• The first paragraph deals with what happens at the beginning of your play
• The second paragraph deals with what happens in the middle of your play
• The third paragraph deals with what happens at the end of your play

As well as your synopsis we’d also like to know a little bit about you…

• What (if anything) have you written before?
• What do you want to write about?
• What do you hope to get from completing the course?
• What is your favourite play; why do you like it?
• Are you able to commit to attending all five sessions?

The five-week course begins on Tuesday 5 November 2013 and runs on Tuesday evenings between 6.30pm and 9pm at Live. The dates for all sessions are as follows:

5, 12, 19 and 26 November and 3 December
                                   
Please note: Applications will open in September 2013 for this course. If you have any queries please get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.

 

Want to be a playwright?

Wednesday 22 May, 5.30pm
Thursday 24 October, 6pm

Join Gez Casey, Live Theatre’s Literary Manager, as he introduces Live Theatre’s unique online course www.beaplaywright.com Find out more about more about the five step by step modules, each covering different aspects of playwriting, the practical tried and tested exercises students are asked to complete, and the exclusive video clips of great dramatists as they offer the benefits of their experience.

New for 2013 the course will now include new videos clips from writers Stella Duffy (The Book Of Ruth (And Naomi), Breaststrokes), Mike Kenny (The Railway Children, 13.1) and Michael Chaplin (A Walk On Part) who were all interviewed about their writing practice.

Writers who attend this event will receive an exclusive promotional code offering a discount on the course.

DATES: Wed 22 May, 5.30pm and Thurs 24 Oct, 6pm
LOCATION: Main Theatre
DURATION: Approx 1hr
COST: FREE, booking essential