Three students rehearsing in a studio. The central student has their hand on one students shoulder and a script in the other hand

Courses

Directing Theatre

Key Information
  • Suitable for

    Beginners, age 18+
  • Dates

    Monday 1 – Friday 5 September, 2025
  • Tuition

    Full-time
  • Location

    Downside Road, Bristol
  • Cost

    £570
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Overview

Applications for summer 2025 will open in the autumn. 

The Directing Theatre short course is designed as an introduction to the fundamentals of directing performances for stage. Over five days, the course will cover skills in text analysis, character development, and classical as well as contemporary text work. You will also get to explore the complete process of bringing a production to life – including concept work, adaptation, devising, conducting rehearsals and technical rehearsals.

Highlights

• Gain a practical understanding of the role of a director and their relationship with actors, writers and other collaborators in the rehearsal room;

• Explore text analysis – including interpretation, world building and character development;

• Techniques to direct adaptations of classical and contemporary texts, as well as to direct devised theatre;

• Practical exercises and projects to explore the process of direction – from concept work to rehearsal rooms and tech weeks.

This is a full-time, Monday to Friday course. Sessions run from 10:00 to 16:00. This course is taught in our facilities at Downside Road.

Your tutor Liz Felton

Liz Felton is Artistic Director of The Story Cellar, working as a theatre director, workshop facilitator and storyteller across Bristol and North Somerset.

She specialises in devised theatre and has directed second year acting students at BOVTS for the last 7 years in devised and family theatre projects.

Liz also wrote and directed the BOVTS autumn season 2024 shows Little Wren & The Autumn Moon and Jack Frost & The Winter Freeze. She set up the Adult Company at Bristol Old Vic in 2013 and currently directs their community theatre group Oi Polloi. She also facilitates projects for companies such as Travelling Light and Tobacco Factory Theatres.

  • Short Courses Refund Policy

    If you wish to cancel your place on the course, you will receive a full refund if you notify the school at least 7 days prior to the start of the course. For cancellations, contact [email protected]
  • Short Course Cancellation Policy

    We will make all reasonable efforts to deliver a short course as outlined on our site and in any brochure or published material. However, we reserve the right to cancel a short course in case of events outside our control or if the course fails to meet a minimum number of participants. In the event that we cancel a course, we will inform participants who have booked a place via email at least 7 days prior to the start date. We will also provide a full refund of the course fee paid. Bristol Old Vic Theatre School cannot be held responsible for any expenses you incur due to such a cancellation.
  • UWE Accommodation Offering

    Students training on a BOVTS summer course can enquire about Summer UWE accommodation availability. Enquiries can be emailed to [email protected] and the Accommodation Team will confirm availability and costings.
  • Policies and Procedures
The culture at BOVTS is encouraging, respectful, welcoming and empowering; the environment and buildings are beautiful and I found Bristol to be one of the most wonderful cities in which to spend summer! Lindy Yeates, Foundation Course Student
Thu 22 May 2025 - Sat 24 May 2025
show
Foxfinder/The Effect