Join James, experienced LGBTQ+ playwright, poet and creative writing teacher, for a workshop series (6 sessions) aimed at helping you generate dramatic stories and structure play scripts. Suitable for emerging playwrights or writers who want to try out this format.

Workshop dates
Mon 8th March 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Mon 15th March 7.30pm-9.30pm
Mon 22nd March 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Mon 29th March 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Mon 5th April – Easter Monday – no session
Mon 12th April 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Mon 19th April 7.30pm – 9.30pm
The Course
Through a series of group discussions and individual writing exercises, learn tools and techniques to help you generate dramatic stories, create characters, write dialogue and structure playscripts. The course is aimed at Playwrights/script writers at any level but exercises covered in the course will help those who write any form of creative fiction.
Attendees will learn what drama is and how to generate dramatic ideas
Attendees will learn what character is and how to create memorable characters
Attendees will learn how to write dialogue and subtext
Attendees will learn about story & plot, dramatic form & structure and time & place. They will be guided through the structuring of their dramatic story
Attendees will learn tools to help them plan, write and rewrite their play
Attendees will have the space and time to share their work and receive peer feedback
Attendees will have the space and time to read and discuss as a group extracts from seminal queer plays which illustrate ideas discussed in the class
Attendees will have the space and time to discuss how to start and sustain a career as a freelance playwright
As part of the last two sessions, attendees will have the opportunity, only if they wish, to share some of the writing they have done during the course.
About James
James McDermott trained on The Royal Court Writers Group and Soho Theatre’s Writers Lab. His plays published by Samuel French include ‘Rubber Ring’ and ‘Time and Tide’. James is writing new plays for HighTide, Norwich Playhouse and Mercury Theatre and is one of the writers on the EastEnders Writers Scheme.
Rep: Independent I Website: jamesmcdermottwriter.weebly.com I Twitter: @jamesliammcd
Poetry collection ‘MANATOMY’ published by Burning Eye Books. Purchase copies here.
Plays ‘RUBBER RING’ and ‘TIME AND TIDE’ published by Samuel French. Purchase copies here.
Writing plays for HighTide, Eastern Angles, Norwich Theatre Royal, Mercury Theatre and Sheringham Little Theatre.
Developing TV shows with Big Talk, Shiny Button, Ranga Bee and participating on EastEnders Writers Scheme 2021.