A process for building repeatable choreography that still has an organic, improvised look. Be prepared to work in close contact with other class participants!

What's the difference between a "nice" partner vs a "GOOD" Partner? Have you ever gotten the note "It looks too nice, I don't believe you're trying to kill each other!" In the film world the camera captures EVERYTHING!!! As well as showing when you are being a NICE partner. So how do we tell the story of violence and make it believable that our characters want to kill each other in the film world. So let's get after it and STOP BEING NICE and start telling some GOOD stories of Violence!

This class is an introduction to the amalgam of weapons commonly known as broadsword. We focus on maintaining a strong stance and driving movement from the lower body, building habits that will serve you well across a variety of weapons

This class looks at the coiled body as a foundation to biomechanical and artistic possibility in blade work. We'll look at efficient movement and building chains of movement rather than isolated actions. This will be a workout for both brain and body, so be ready to leave some cherished assumptions by the wayside as we build fights worth the ticket price.

Learn on camera basics & get ready to play.

The true story of one weapon, picked to be very lethal. We’ll work together to find out what happens when people stop fighting polite... and start getting real.

We will look critically at fight distance, the importance (or unimportance) of footwork, and taking/giving ground. Take the lessons from this class into any stage combat discipline.

How *not* to play a psychic fighter. Close up on the challenges and skills of presenting real time fighting as an actor.

Let’s dig into the theory of unarmed strikes by looking at a variety of techniques for non-contact slaps and their geometry; and then use that knowledge to experiment with these techniques for different stage configurations.

How does one disarm their opponent without having to ask nicely for it? This class will explore multple ways of taking your opponent's sword

Some simulated choking. Some slamming. Good times.

Taking the basics of the SAFD discipline of sword and shield we will explore attacks and defenses with a purely thrusting weapon; a short Viking style javelin. We will borrow ideas from several different styles (and maybe a film...or two) and will build these into a short fight by the end of class.

LET'S ROLL... WITH KNIVES!!! Explore different Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques that could be used for the stage or screen but with a Knife!

Using the tenants of Commedia dell'Arte, the class borrows the SAFD's often serious techniques and turns them on their heads for the sake of Comedy.

Let’s figure out all the ways we can use this pairing together to get past and around the shield and inside our opponent’s defenses, then create some short phrases of choreography using those tactics!

Roundtable discussion about the art and responsibility of fight captains and their role in production, and leave with suggestions about how to level up your next experience working as or alongside your next production's fight captain. Bring your questions!

Often in violence we play it safe with our distances. In this class we will explore breaking the personal bubble space & playing with choices that we may not normally make. (*no actual kissing will be performed. Hygeine will be monitored but we will be playing with close proximity*)

Combining the methodology of chain wrestling, good partnering, and character work, this class will explore what makes pro wrestling not only exciting to watch but hopefully will inform your work as a stage combatant.

Blood effects have been a staple of theatre since Oedipus - they can be entertaining, powerful, ridiculous and memorable. They can also be messy, expensive, unnecessary, and permanent. This class will provide you with a design process for blood effects, as well as practical and updated solutions for the most common (and unusual) effects out there. The class will be a mix of presentation and experimentation, so be ready to be icky.

Explore the ancient way of the qiang (spear) where you will learn flow drills, forms, and the basic attacks and defenses unique to a pointy stick! Class will culminate with a piece of brief choreography.

Intense and visceral knife fights take commitment to each move. This class will build a fierce knife fight one move at a time.

Oh no! There’s a giant support pole right in the middle of our stage! Flex your creative muscles as a choreographer and explore working with obstacles, rather than around them, to create more interesting fights.

It's so much more than Boom and Clank! Sword and Shield provides a veritable orchestra of soundscapes just waiting for a composer/choreographer to discover. Grab some instruments and let's jam.

In this class we dive into consent & how to build non-consensual action. This class explores what could be seen as non-consensual actions and how to build a system of trust between choreographers & actors.

A lecture and Q&A on contracts and negotiation, from the perspective of someone who has been on both sides of the Fight/Intimacy Director and Producer table

Recognizing that rest is an essential, but often neglected, part of an actor's routine, this class provides students with techniques and strategies to maximize rest and recovery in a small amount of time. Yes, you will take a nap during this class.

Playing with style, not props! A look at the convention of SiS, what we do, why we do it.

Want to know what it takes to perform in video games like Call of Duty or Mortal Kombat? Come learn some of the tricks of the trade from Motion Capture actor and stuntman Michael Saubert. We will cover aspects of face over capture, and AI/multiplayer performance. You will leave this class with trainable skills that will aid you in your journey to T-pose for a living!

Tired of your staff fights looking like a copy and paste of old school Robin Hood fights? This class will take a look at taking Muay Thai boxing techniques but with a Stick!

Take a look at your surroundings - what kind of weapons do you see? How can we use them? A discussion and hands-on practice for using non-traditional props for stage combat and building choreography around the tools available to the characters in the scene.

Bring your a-game. Be ready to make some mistakes. Be ready to move quickly with little to no prep.

An intro to Rapier and Dagger that explores the unique parries and attacks of this dual fence weapon system.

Sure, maybe you've done a mass battle before, but have you ever done a mass battle on a revolving stage? Come learn how to safely work on a spinning stage and then see what exciting opportunities it provides. You'll learn how to create interesting character choices that will enhance the overall story of the battle. We'll cover tips for creating patterns and working with music to help with timing. It's gonna be blast - hope to see you there!