• University of Glasgow

An Introduction to Playwriting

In this course you'll learn the key skills and principles involved in writing a play and generate ideas for your own work.

569 enrolled on this course

participant during playwriting workshop

An Introduction to Playwriting

569 enrolled on this course

  • 4 weeks

  • 4 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

  • Duration

    4 weeks
  • Weekly study

    4 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
  • Unlimited subscription

    $244.99 for a whole yearLearn more

This course will provide an accessible and illuminating introduction to key playwriting skills. The course is taught by a leading professional playwright and presented in association with Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland; the only arts organisation in the UK exclusively dedicated to the artistic development of writers for live performance. The course will provide an ideal pathway towards further study, including the Playwriting and Dramaturgy MLitt offered by University of Glasgow.

Download video: standard or HD

Skip to 0 minutes and 10 secondsGRAHAM EATOUGH: Writing a play can be a fascinating experience, developing the skills to express your ideas dramatically and eventually seeing them realised on stage can be a hugely rewarding creative journey. But how would you even start to write a play? What are the particular skills you need to develop? What's the basic knowledge you need to start on this creative journey?

Skip to 0 minutes and 36 secondsI'm Doctor Graham, a lecturer in theatre studies at the University of Glasgow and along with playwright Studio Scotland and leading Scottish playwright Douglas Maxwell, we've put together this free online course that gives an expert guide to the whole process of writing a play from those first moments of inspiration, through the challenges of the writing process to getting your play in front of an audience. This introduction to playwriting is made up of a series of workshops designed to encourage you to write your own play, as well as giving you the chance to engage with other learners.

Skip to 1 minute and 16 secondsDuring the four weeks of this course, we'll look at some of the basic principles of playwriting, including key elements of the craft, such as character, story, dialogue, and setting. We'll think about what the ingredients are that makes a play work, what makes it theatrical. There'll be lots of practical tips for developing and maintaining a playwriting practice, as well as advice on what to do with your play once it's written, how you might get it on stage.

Skip to 1 minute and 49 secondsAs well as workshop leader Douglas Maxwell, you'll hear from a range of other playwrights, all with their own experiences and ideas. Join us to begin your own journey into the world of playwriting, and to gain an inspirational understanding of this fascinating craft.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Introduction, Elements of the Craft

    • A group seated on stage reading a script. Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/group-of-people-sitting-on-chair-on-stage-6896181/

      Introduction

      Welcome to the course

    • An actor stands on stage, arms raised with a light shining above them. From 14. Medea – Written by Liz Lochhead, Directed by Michael Boyd – photo credit Mihaela Bodlovic

      What is a Play?

      In this section we will look at the key ingredients that make up a play.

    • Actors being given instruction on stage. Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/two-men-having-a-discussion-6896331/

      Elements of Craft

      In this section we examine some of the key elements of the craft of playwriting.

    • Protest - Written by Hannah Lavery, directed by Natalie Ibu - photo credit Oluwatosin Daniju

      Week 1 Wrap-up

      A summary of what we covered in this week of the course, and an opportunity for you to reflect and feedback on what was most useful for your writing.

  • Week 2

    Elements of the Craft continued, Theatricality

    • Working on a stage. Photo by Ruca Souza from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-standing-on-stage-1049746/

      Introduction

      This week we'll be continuing our exploration of key elements of the craft of playwriting as well as looking at the important idea of theatricality.

    • A couple having a conflict in the kitchen. Photo by Alex Green: https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-couple-having-conflict-at-kitchen-5699696/

      Elements of Craft

      We continue our examination of the key elements of the craft of playwriting.

    • A tense moment develops between three people on stage. Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/three-people-acting-on-stage-6899787/

      Theatricality

      In this section we look at the fascinating and important concept of theatricality.

    • Scene from Kidnapped – Written by Isobel McArthur and MJ McCarthy, Directed by Isobel McArthur and Gareth Nicholls – photo credit Mihaela Bodlovic

      Week 2 Wrap-up

      A summary of what we covered in this week of the course, and an opportunity for you to reflect and feedback on what was most useful for your writing.

  • Week 3

    Getting Started, Keeping Going and Letting Go

    • Lights go up on a closed stage curtain, silhouetting the audience. Photo by Monica Silvestre: https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-at-theater-713149/

      Introduction

      Dr Graham Eatough introduces week 3 of the course.

    • A lightbox beside a laptop displays the affirmation "You Got This". Photo by Prateek Katyal: https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-and-white-laptop-2740956/

      Getting Started

      In this section of the course we will look at the challenges of starting writing, finding inspiration and deciding on an idea.

    • A pair of glasses sit on a blank notebook surrounded by crumpled sheets of paper. Photo by Steve Johnson: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photography-of-eyeglasses-near-crumpled-papers-963056/

      Keeping Going

      In this section we will look at strategies to persevere when writing isn't flowing.

    • A man throws sheets of paper into the air. Photo by Ketut Subiyanto: https://www.pexels.com/photo/excited-male-student-throwing-university-papers-in-air-4560148/

      Letting Go

      In this section we will consider how to know when you're play is 'finished' and what some of the next steps might be in sharing your work with others.

    • Black Watch – Written by Gregory Burke, Directed by John Tiffany – photo credit Peter Dibdin

      Week 3 Wrap-up

      A summary of what we covered in this week of the course, and an opportunity for you to reflect and feedback on what was most useful for your writing.

  • Week 4

    Getting your work 'out there'

    • A woman reads a script. Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-reading-a-script-6877424/

      Introduction

      Dr Graham Eatough introduces the final week of the course.

    • A lavishly decorated theatre. Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/gray-theater-seat-63328/

      Types of Theatre

      In this section we will consider the different venues that might suit your work, and building connections with local theatres.

    • Actors on stage applauding. Photo by Fatih Doğrul: https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-performing-on-theater-stage-12165875/

      Developing Your Work

      In this section we will look at how to promote your work and attract interest in having it performed.

    • Two people in conversation while two others behind them are exaggeratedly upset.. Exodus – Written by Uma Nada-Rajah, Directed by Debbie Hannan – photo credit Tim Morozzo

      Commissioning

      In this section we will look at the challenges of developing an income from playwriting, and some specific approaches to consider.

    • Lament for Sheku Bayo – Written and directed by Hannah Lavery – photo credit Mihaela Bodlovic

      Week 4 Wrap-up

      A summary of what we covered throughout the course, and an opportunity for you to reflect and feedback on what was most useful for your writing.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Identify the fundamental elements of plays and playwriting
  • Improve playwriting skills through exploring key elements of the craft including setting, character, dialogue, structure and style
  • Identify key elements of theatricality in playwriting
  • Apply strategies around finding inspiration and perseverance with your playwriting
  • Evaluate and identify opportunities for sharing your playwriting with others

Who is the course for?

Anyone wanting to develop playwriting skills – people considering further study in this field. Those interested in playwriting, dramaturgy, theatre sector, screenwriting, creative industries.

Who will you learn with?

Who developed the course?

University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow

Founded in 1451, the University of Glasgow is the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world. It is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of leading UK research universities.

  • Established

    1451
  • Location

    Glasgow, Scotland, UK
  • World ranking

    Top 70Source: QS World University Rankings 2020

In collaboration with

Playwright's Studio Scotland Logo

Ways to learn

Buy this course

Subscribe & save

Limited access

Choose the best way to learn for you!

$79/one-off payment

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Free

Fulfill your current learning needDevelop skills to further your careerSample the course materials
Access to this courseticktick

Access expires 5 Mar 2025

Access to 1,000+ coursescrosstickcross
Learn at your own paceticktickcross
Discuss your learning in commentstickticktick
Certificate when you're eligiblePrinted and digitalDigital onlycross
Continue & Upgrade

Cancel for free anytime

Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$79/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 5 Mar 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

Learner reviews

Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...