FOUNDATION COURSE DATES FOR 2025 - 2026

THE COURSE

 

The aim of the Foundation Course is to provide writers with the key tools required to develop a dramatic script.
 
The major focus in every session is how to write a ‘dramatic’ scene.
 
The course is led by two professional writing tutors, Renata Allen and Ed Rowett, who will both be in the room for every session. Each brings their own perspective to the course with Renata highly experienced in theatre work and Ed also specialising in TV and Radio.
 
The course consists of ten all-day sessions (10.30am – 6.00pm) running between October and June 2026. Places are limited in order to create a small group so that each individual gets time for significant feedback as they develop their scenes and ideas in the afternoon session. The course takes place in a large, light and airy room above Vincent’s, an Oxford University club, in the centre of Oxford.
 
Between sessions you will be asked to write a dramatic scene that you will send in advance to the group. These scenes will be discussed and often read aloud to provide you with supportive feedback. By the end of the course, we aim to equip you with the skills you need to write a full-length play or script that you may wish to work on alone or as part of a further course.
 

The day starts with a focus on plays by established playwrights. These can be both classic and modern texts. Where it is possible, we select plays you can see either on National Theatre at Home or live in the theatre.  We focus on a specific aspect of writing technique that the playwrights use. Areas we will cover include:
 

• Form and Structure

• Character and dialogue

• Conflict and obstacles

• Story and Plot

• Physical and visual elements

• Writing for Radio and Television

• Editing and redrafting

• Presenting and pitching a script 

• Working with actors and directors

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For the final performance workshop you will submit a sample of your work to be read by professional actors.  Before the course begins you will need to read four plays that we will be referring to in the first session. For each subsequent class you will be asked to read two plays or scripts that will be discussed in the class, relating to specific aspects of playwriting. You will also read the scenes sent to you by fellow members of the group.

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Requirements for the course:

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• A keen interest in seeing and discussing plays

• A determination to learn about playwriting and write every month

• A capacity to give and receive feedback in a positive way

• No previous writing experience is required
   

 

 

THE TUTORS
RENATA ALLEN & ED ROWETT

 

Renata Allen

 

Renata works in theatre as a writer, a dramaturg, a director and an actor. She co-founded Oxford Playwriting with John Retallack in 2015 and led the Young Writers Playmaker programme at Oxford Playhouse for seven years until 2023.

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As a writer she won the TMA Regional Theatre Award for Best Production for Young People for The Magic Storybook and has had other plays performed (for adults and young audiences alike) at The Oxford Playhouse, The Unicorn Theatre, London, Hampstead Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, Oldham Coliseum and on tour in the UK. Recent commissions include five Christmas shows for The Story Museum (2017 to 2022) and two summer touring shows for The People’s Theatre Collective (2021 and 2024). Most recent directing work includes Laura Wade's The Watsons for Pegasus Theatre, Oxford and Tales from the Lighthouse for Little Seeds Music which is touring until 2025. As well as professional productions, she directed many plays as a Director of Drama in two major London schools. She regularly performs in staged readings of writers’ work at The Old Fire Station.

 

Ed Rowett

 

Ed is an experienced writer, dramaturg, and actor. His sitcom Reluctant Persuaders ran for four series on Radio 4, winning an Audio Drama Award for Best Scripted Comedy. He has also written dramas and documentaries for the station. On television, he has served as script editor on shows for the BBC and Channel 4, most recently on the sitcom Hullraisers.

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He also teaches sitcom writing at The Comedy School in London. He has written several plays for young people, and regularly performs new writing at Oxford’s Old Fire Station.

 

Course fee: £2750. Discounts are available for younger or unemployed writers.

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OXFORD PLATFORMS

 

The finished plays of Advanced students are regularly staged at The Old Fire Station in Oxford, performed by professional actors and directed by John Retallack. You are most welcome to attend these public performances.

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LOCATION

 

Vincent’s Club Dining Room, 1A King Edward Street, Oxford OX1 4HS

(This is just off Oxford High Street where there is nearby parking, convenient public transport and wheelchair access)