Last updated: July 2026. Written by Josh Hutcheson, OnlineCourseing editor. See our review methodology.
QUICK VERDICT
Bottom line: Playwriting is a small online-course niche, so choose carefully. The clear standout is Beginning Playwriting: Write a Play and Get Produced (4.8★), which takes you from blank page toward a staged production. Because dedicated playwriting courses are few, we also point you to broader writing craft to round out the skills.
Writing for the stage is its own discipline — dialogue does the heavy lifting, structure is built around scenes and acts, and the work only truly exists when performed. Online playwriting courses are genuinely scarce compared with fiction or screenwriting, so the goal here is to find the good one and supplement it with adjacent craft. That is the honest picture, and it shapes our recommendation.
1. Best overall — Beginning Playwriting: Write a Play and Get Produced
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The best dedicated playwriting course we found, and highly rated for good reason. It covers the fundamentals of dramatic writing — dialogue, structure, character — with a practical eye toward actually getting a play staged, which is exactly the right emphasis. At 4.8★ it is a strong, focused starting point despite the small overall market.
Best for: beginners who want to write a play and see it produced. Worth knowing: playwriting is niche — supplement with reading plays and local workshops.
2. Best broader craft — Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing (MasterClass)
Since dedicated playwriting courses are limited, broadening your general writing craft pays off — dialogue, character, and structure all transfer to the stage. Atwood's MasterClass builds that foundation from a master, complementing a focused playwriting course nicely.
Best for: rounding out the craft that playwriting draws on. Cost: MasterClass subscription.
playwriting courses compared
| Course | Best for | Rating | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginning Playwriting (Write & Get Produced) | Dedicated playwriting | 4.8 | Udemy |
| Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing | Broader craft | MC | MasterClass |
How to learn playwriting when courses are scarce
Because the online course market for playwriting is thin, treat courses as one part of a wider approach. Take the best dedicated course you can find for the fundamentals, then do the things that actually make playwrights: read plays closely, see theatre, write short pieces, and get them read aloud — a local workshop or writers' group is invaluable because plays are made to be heard. Broader dramatic-writing and creative-writing craft transfers directly, so it is worth building too.
An honest note on playwriting courses
There simply are not many high-quality, dedicated playwriting courses online, and some listed under the label are really screenwriting or general writing. That is not a reason to give up — the fundamentals are learnable — but it does mean setting realistic expectations and leaning on adjacent craft, live workshops, and reading. Playwriting is also a passion pursuit more than a lucrative one for most, so learn it because the form calls to you.
Related: our creative writing courses, fiction writing courses, and best MasterClass courses.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best playwriting course?
Beginning Playwriting: Write a Play and Get Produced (4.8 stars) is the clear standout dedicated course, covering dramatic writing with a practical focus on getting staged. Because the niche is small, supplement it with broader writing craft and local workshops.
Can you learn playwriting online?
Yes, though options are limited – playwriting is a small online-course niche. The fundamentals (dialogue, structure, character) teach well online, but plays are made to be heard, so pair courses with reading plays, seeing theatre, and workshops where work is read aloud.
Are there many playwriting courses online?
Honestly, no – dedicated, high-quality playwriting courses are scarce, and some listed as playwriting are really screenwriting or general writing. Find the best focused course, then round out your skills with broader dramatic and creative writing craft.
Is playwriting a good career?
For most people it is a passion pursuit rather than a reliable income – staged productions and commissions are competitive. Learn it because the form genuinely appeals to you, and treat any financial return as a bonus rather than the goal.