Drama Writing at BOVTS is designed to nurture you in finding your distinctive voice as a writer for stage, screen and audio. The course aims to be innovative in its approach, by immersing you within the whole theatre and screen portfolio. You’ll develop a systematic understanding of dramatic writing as an art, craft and business and see your work explored practically by other students.

This highly practical course is innovative in its approach by immersing future playwrights within the whole theatre and screen portfolio. By building professional assurance through artistic practice, students will develop a systematic understanding of dramatic writing as an art, craft and business.

An Opportunity to See Your Work Explored Practically by Actors, Directors and Other Theatre Makers

Students will have their work bought to life by working with other students studying acting, directing, production arts and stage management from across the school.

The Drama Writing programme is delivered through masterclasses, workshops and seminars delivered by top industry professionals and experienced practitioners.

This is a full-time course, but contact hours will normally be concentrated into two days a week (Thursday and Friday), with four ‘intensive weeks’ spread through the year. The Writers’ Hub is a dedicated space for teaching & learning, individual writing and for the group to programme activities.

Students will gain an understanding of how directors and actors unpack text. They will also have their scripts examined in practice as actors bring their scripts to life at various points through the course. Students will have access to industry standard facilities including a dedicated writers’ room, a radio drama studio and film department.

This course is delivered from a practitioners’ perspective and the hands-on experience will ensure an excellent start to graduates’ careers and prepare them for employment by providing a practical and critical understanding of commissioning and other industry processes.

The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School has a renowned literary pedigree, and enjoys relationships with theatres across the city, south west and nationally. For instance, the School mounts productions in partnership with the Bristol Old Vic, Redgrave Theatre and Tobacco Factory, amongst others, on a regular basis, ensuring that students experience practical application of their craft in professional settings.

An Opportunity to See Your Work Practically Explored by Actors, Directors and Other Theatre Makers

Studying and developing your craft of writing within a drama school means that you will have the opportunity to see your work practically explored by actors, directors and other theatre makers.

This is a full-time course, but contact hours will normally be concentrated into two days a week (Thursday and Friday), with four ‘intensive weeks’ spread through the year. The Writers’ Hub is a dedicated space for teaching & learning, individual writing and for the group to programme activities.

Normally, successful candidates will have a first degree.