Write Your First Full Length Play with Steve Harper: Online 8-Week Course

Wed 28 Jan - Wed 18 Mar 2026

Written by Steve Harper

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If you’ve ever had a play idea that you’re itching to write but struggling to find the time, motivation or focus to start, join Theatre503’s literary manager Steve Harper and write your first full length play! Over eight Weeks Steve will share his knowledge of two decades of working at Theatre503 and his wealth of experience throughout the industry. By the end of the course, you’ll be well on your way to writing your first full draft.

Acknowledging that not one given process works for all writers, we will aim to explore as many alternative processes as possible. Writers will be encouraged to explore and share their own experiences of what has been useful and what has got in the way, with the course providing a space within which to reflect on these and guidance to how we might best draw on these experiences to inform our writing processes going forward.

We will provide ongoing dramaturgical support throughout the process, but with an awareness to the fact that all writers processes are bespoke. In this sense, whilst structured, we will also have the flexibility to provide different levels of dramaturgical support to individual writers at different stages of the process. Please note we cannot commit to an ongoing dramaturgical relationship with any pieces that may develop on this course, or commit to a production. However we will offer an open and honest discussion with all participants about possible next steps for their work, recommendations of other development opportunities that might be of benefit, and guidance to where their work may best be suited in terms of future engagement.

It is important to consider that this is not an introduction to playwriting but a course that will provide opportunities to refresh our basic knowledge of the craft in direct relationship to our work and the objective of writing a play. It is a course aimed at helping those writers trying to move from writing short plays to full length work, or those who might have written some full length work and feel it would be helpful to have a structured and ongoing dramaturgical relationship throughout the process.

Week One – Wednesday, 28 January 2026, 19:00-21:30
Ideas

Week Two – Wednesday, 4 February 19:00-21:30
Mapping Your Play

Week Three – Wednesday, 11 February 19:00-21:30
Character & Character Journeys

Week Four – Wednesday, 18 February 19:00-21:30
Scenes

Week Five – Wednesday, 25 February 19:00-21:30
Dialogue/ Subtext

Week Six – Wednesday, 4 March 19:00-21:30
Setting/Space

Week Seven – Wednesday, 11 March 19:00-21:30
Structure

Week Eight – Wednesday, 18 March 19:00-21:30
Tutorials/ Feedback

Running time of each session: 2.5 hours – delivered online. Maximum class sizes are 16. A portion of spaces have been reserved for Share the Drama places.

SOLD OUT?- This course runs three times a year, as part of our Spring, Summer and Autumn Writer’s programme. Book early to avoid disappointment.

If you have any access requirements, you can let us know by filling out our Writer’s Programme Accessibility Form or contacting Theatre503 via our Writers’ Programme email, writersprogramme@theatre503.com or by calling 02079787040.

For further details of Theatre503 Accessibility, please visit the Access page of our website.

Thanks to our Share The Drama scheme, we want to make sure those of you who are struggling in the current climate can still take part in our Writers Programme. If you would like to book a Share The Drama bursary for the Writer’s Programme, please call our box office on 02079787040.

Please note, online sale will close at 5pm the day of the first session of the course.

Steve Harper

Steve Harper heads the Literary Department of Theatre503. In the years he has worked at the venue he has been responsible for identifying and supporting over 1,000 debut playwrights and helping to start their career. He co-created the 503Five initiative and Theatre503 International Playwriting Award. He has developed an outstanding reputation for matchmaking writers, directors and producers including putting together the team that delivered the Olivier Award winning Rotterdam.