Morley Radio Drama

You will work with two tutors: writing tutor Cara Jennings and Director Julia Lewis. Cara is a professional actress and writer known for Bang Festival, Office Politics, The Banksy Job and Urban Myths. Further works she’s co-written include her latest, The Astonishing Adventures of Kitty and Peg; Hendrix & Handel, a show for Sky Arts; and the Lock Asylum, a Radio Play in collaboration with LSE History Dept and Morley College. Julia is a Professional Actor, Acting Coach and director whose recent credits include The Crown series 3, Netflix, and Their Finest (with Gemma Arterton and Bill Nighy), besides numerous radio dramas for the BBC Radio and BBC /Scandinavian schools radio. Cara will lead the first five weeks of the course in-centre with a focus on writing; using improvisation and fun activities as a starting point for generating material, and from this developing short pieces of compelling audio drama, learning along the way how to write and format scripts, and what to consider when making this sort of work e.g. how far we need to explain the action and how it is an excellent medium for poetical and experimental forms. Midway through the course, Julia will take over, workshop and refine the scripts, focus on the acting, voice skills and delivery required for audio production. Students will be encouraged to create and source their sound fx, learn on mic techniques. The course culminates with students performing and recording the original dramas in our professional radio studio with the finished pieces being edited and broadcast on Morley Radio itself. In order to ensure you make the best possible progress on your course, you will have regular constructive and supportive feedback from your tutor. The tutor will also set assessment activities involving student exchange of ideas and student self-assessment for all students.

You should be able to read a script and act at the same time. You will be expected to engage in independent study and preparation. Excellent attendance and punctuality will be required from all students. This course will include some completion of activities outside of class time, e.g. preparation of favourite exercises to share with fellow students. Photography and film recording of class activities may be used in order to aid learning. These images may also be used for publicity or marketing materials produced by Morley College, both online and in print. You will have the opportunity to either confirm or decline consent to being filmed or photographed.

You will need to sign a release form for the final edited recording to be broadcast/podcast on Morley Radio.

You can continue on to the next term of the course. Morley College’s Drama Department provides an exciting and diverse range of term-time and short course in Acting, Directing and Public Speaking. Please speak to your tutor, pick up a prospectus, look at our website or contact the Drama Dept at drama@morleycollege.ac.uk for more information