How to Write a Stage Play



Overview

Using the five-act stage play structure to shape the five days of this course, we will explore key skills and techniques that shape compelling and original stage dramas. While some of these elements are recognisable in Shakespeare’s plays, the course will also refer to current trends in new writing commissioning in commercial and publicly funded theatres, and contemporary approaches to stage design and directing that shape the writing.

We will explore story design, ‘reverse engineering’ the story from the ‘one big idea’ you want to convey back to the opening scene that sets events running, creating a cast of well-differentiated characters, building action and design into the script, and writing effective dialogue.

The classes will be a mix of taught input, reading and sharing of script extracts, discussion, small group devising, solo writing activities and some optional sharing of work for peer critiquing. No experience of writing plays is required. The course is also suitable for people who would like to become more informed and engaged theatre audience members.

This course is part of The Oxford Experience summer school programme, held at Christ Church.

Programme details

Seminars meet each weekday morning, with afternoons free for course-related field trips, individual study, or exploring the many places of interest in and around the city.

Monday
Prologue - why do I want to write this play?
What is the one big idea I want my audience to think about?
What are the stage writer’s main tools?

Tuesday
Act One - Lights up on the world of the drama.
‘Beginners please’ - how do we meet the main characters?

Wednesday
Act Two - Story design - successes and reverses.
Identifying key scenes and key information.
Act Three - crisis and the mid-point reveal.

Thursday
Act Four - Climax - Wants and needs revealed.
How to write compelling dialogue.

Friday
Act Five - Resolution and curtain.
How to rewrite and refine your script.

Field Trip
Destination: Evening trip to an open-air theatre production in Oxford, to be confirmed when the summer 2025 programmes are announced.

Duration:  Evening, after morning in class

Excursion Rating: Easy - up to an hour’s walk on even ground or less than half an hour’s walk on uneven/unpaved ground.

Certification

Participants will receive a physical Certificate of Attendance at the end of the course.

You will also be eligible for a digital badge of attendance. Information on how to access this digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. This digital badge will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so. 

Fees

Description Costs
Fee option 1 (single en suite accom and meals per person) £2310.00
Fee option 2 (single standard accom and meals per person) £2200.00
Fee option 3 (double en suite accom and meals per person) £2190.00
Fee option 4 (twin en suite accom and meals per person) £2190.00
Fee option 5 (twin set standard accom and meals per person) £2190.00
Fee option 6 (no accom; incl lunch and dinner per person) £1615.00

Funding

Please note there are no sources of funding (scholarships, bursaries, etc) available for applicants.

Payment

All fees are charged on a per week, per person basis.

Please be aware that all payments made via non-UK credit/debit cards and bank accounts are subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.

Payment terms

  • If enrolling online: full payment by credit/debit card at the time of booking.
  • If submitting an enrolment form: full payment online by credit/debit card or via bank transfer within 30 days of invoice date.

Supplementary costs

  • Any excursions listed in the 'programme details' above are included in the course fees and do not require a separate payment.
  • If your course includes a day-long excursion, you may need to make your own lunch arrangements.
  • Any optional, extra ticketed activities not detailed in the 'programme details' above may incur an additional cost. A social programme outlining these options will be sent to you in advance of the course start date.
  • Course transfer fee: Please note that course transfers may be permitted in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the programme administrator, up to the 1 May 2025. In accordance with our Terms and Conditions, an administration fee of £50 will be charged.

Cancellations and refunds

1. Cancellation by you

Participants who wish to cancel must inform the Programme Administrator in writing: by email to oxfordexperience@conted.ox.ac.uk, or by post to The Oxford Experience, OUDCE, 1 Wellington Square, OXFORD, OX1 2JA, UK. Participants are welcome to use the optional cancellation form.

The following cancellation and refund policy applies in all cases:

  • Cancellation within 14 days of online enrolment / payment of fees – full refund of all fees paid. 

  • Cancellations received up to and including 30 April 2025 – OUDCE will retain an administration fee of £100 per week booked; all other fees paid will be refunded.
  • Cancellations received between 1-31 May 2025 – OUDCE will retain 60% of the fees paid; the remaining 40% of fees paid will be refunded.
  • Cancellations received on and after 1 June 2025 - no refunds will be made under any circumstances.

It is not possible to transfer enrolments or fees to future years of The Oxford Experience under any circumstances. Where course fees have been paid in currencies other than pounds sterling, refunds will be subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.

2. Cancellation by us

Where there is good reason, OUDCE reserves the right to cancel a course by giving you notice in writing at any time before the course is due to start. In these cases, we will endeavour to offer a transfer to another available course if practical and acceptable to you, subject to payment or refund of any difference in course fees. Alternatively, we will refund the course fees that you have already paid. If we cancel a course, our liability is limited to the fees that we have received from you; this means that we will not compensate you for any pre-booked travel costs or any other expenses incurred. The status of this course will be reviewed on 1 May 2025. If it is likely that the course may be cancelled, anyone affected will be notified by email within 7 days; if you have not heard from OUDCE by 8 May 2025, you should assume that your course will be running. You may wish to delay finalising your travel arrangements until after this date.

OUDCE reserves the right to cancel a course at short notice in exceptional circumstances that would prevent the course from being delivered e.g. tutor illness. In these rare instances, and if we are unable to find a replacement tutor, we will notify you as soon as possible and arrange a transfer to another available Oxford Experience course. If we cancel a course, our liability is limited to the fees that we have received from you; this means that we will not compensate you for any pre-booked travel costs or any other expenses incurred.

Where course fees have been paid in currencies other than pounds sterling, refunds will be subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.

3. Travel insurance

All participants must purchase travel insurance to cover the programme fee, travel costs, and any other expenses incurred. OUDCE cannot be held responsible for any costs you may incur in relation to travel or accommodation bookings as a result of a course cancellation, or if you are unable to attend the course for any other reason. 

Tutor

Mr Shaun McCarthy

Tutor

Shaun McCarthy is a professional stage and radio dramatist and a freelance screenplay writer and editor. He has had 13 stage plays professionally produced in the UK and drama series and ‘Saturday Plays’ on BBC Radio 4. In 2023 he was commissioned to write four Young Adult one act plays and is script developer/co-writer on a feature rom-com screen play. He teaches on a range of courses at the Oxford University Department for Continuing Education.

Teaching methods

Participants will be taught in seminar groups of up to 12 people. The teaching methods used during this course may include:

  • Short lectures/presentations
  • Physical handouts
  • Seminars/group discussions
  • Written exercises in-class
  • Student presentations
  • Video recordings
  • Tutor-led field trip

Application

Registration closes on 1 May 2025. Most courses fill up fast so early registration is recommended.

Single accommodation and non-residential places may be booked online by clicking on the 'Book now' button in the 'Course details' box on the course page. If you experience difficulties booking online, please contact the programme administrator via oxfordexperience@conted.ox.ac.uk.

Those requiring twin or double accommodation should complete an enrolment form as these rooms cannot be booked online. The form is an editable PDF and can be competed electronically, so you should not need to print and scan it. Completed forms should be sent:

Level and demands

The Oxford Experience is aimed at non-specialists: no prior knowledge is required, and classes are pitched at an introductory level. The courses are designed for an international audience aged 18 and over.

There are no assessments for this course.

Accommodation

During your course you can stay in typical Oxford student accommodation at Christ Church, in buildings which range from the 18th to the 20th century. Please note that bedrooms are modestly-furnished and do not have air-conditioning.

The course fee includes breakfasts Monday-Saturday (residential guests only), lunches Sunday-Friday, and three-course dinners Sunday-Thursday. On Friday, there will be a special four-course gala dinner to celebrate the closing of the week. All meals are taken in Christ Church’s spectacular dining hall. 

We are unable to arrange accommodation at Christ Church prior to or following your course. Please contact Christ Church directly if you require additional nights of bed and breakfast accommodation, and they may be able to assist. Additionally, family or friends who are not enrolled in the programme cannot be accommodated in college. 

Single bedrooms

  • Single en suite

  • Single standard

En suite rooms include private bathroom facilities (shower, washbasin and toilet). Standard rooms include a washbasin and shaver point only, with bathroom facilities shared with other rooms.

These rooms can be booked directly online.

Shared bedrooms

Double and twin bedrooms are only available for two participants that apply to the programme together. They are charged per person and cannot be booked by individuals.

  • Double en suite
  • Twin en suite
  • ‘Twin set’ standard

En suite rooms include private bathroom facilities (shower, washbasin and toilet). 'Twin set’ standard rooms comprise two separate single standard rooms, each with a washbasin and shaver point only, opening onto a private sitting room, with bathroom facilities shared with other rooms.

If you wish to book a twin or double room for two people, each person should complete an enrolment form as these rooms cannot be booked online. See the 'application' section above for more details. 

Ground/lower floor accommodation

Christ Church rooms do not have lift access, and the higher rooms can be located up a few flights of stairs. If you need a room on a ground or lower floor please indicate this on your enrolment form, or contact the programme administrator directly at oxfordexperience@conted.ox.ac.uk as soon as possible before 1 June. 

Non-residential

We also offer places on a non-residential basis whereby participants can take classes and have lunch and dinner at Christ Church, having arranged their own accommodation elsewhere. Enrolments for non-residential places can be booked directly online.

Participants attending multiple weeks

The Oxford Experience welcomes participants who want to attend multiple courses over the summer. Resident participants staying in Christ Church for consecutive weeks can have bed and breakfast accommodation arranged for the Saturday night between their courses.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support