Actor Training: Stage Combat Courses

Art in Arms is offering two different foundational stage combat courses this fall: Knife, and Smallsword.

Knife: Fighting with a knife onstage is one of the more challenging aspects of stage combat. When the prop is so small, we rely on the performer's body to fully tell the story.  When the prop is dull, we rely on the performer to make it read as dangerous.  And lastly, when the concept of knife violence is very commonplace to our audiences, we rely on the performers to play the truth of the violence responsibly. This course will consist of exercises and drills that fuse acting intentions with practical techniques in a variety of aesthetics, from tactical martial-arts-inspired scenes to gritty, messy, fear-soaked self defense stories. The skills acquired in this course will serve any actor by honing their abilities to specifically isolate what their character wants and needs from moment to moment, regardless of whether a knife is involved.  From swordplay to straight scene work, clarity and specificity are key.

Smallsword: Considered by many to be the pinnacle of stage combat skill, this fighting style is commonplace in stories like Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Casanova, and the restoration.  As balletic as it is deadly, the smallsword (or court sword, if you prefer) was the predominant dueling weapon in Europe until its use was banned for resulting in too many deaths - so they opted for firearms as the "safer" option.  Despite its reputation, this style is highly accessible to beginners and advanced practitioners alike.  Training in this style will hone an actor's ability to make minute movements of the wrist feel palpable to an audience, and dial in their sense of specificity with their character's intentions...whether they're in a duel of swords or wits

Stage actors don't get the luxury of having a stunt double, and film actors are increasingly lauded for their time spent training in preparation for high-action roles.  These courses are designed to give performers the tools they need to be able to physically perform dramatically effective choreography in a confident, repeatable way.  Whether you're prepping for a combat-intensive show, want to nail that next fight audition, or just want to keep honing your physical acting and partnering skills, these classes can help you.

When: February 16 - May 23 (multiple sections offered for flexible scheduling)
Sundays 12:00pm-3:00pm: Knife
Sundays 6:00pm-9:00pm: Smallsword
Mondays 6:30pm-9:30pm: Knife
Tuesdays 6:30pm-9:30pm: Smallsword

Where: Art In Arms Studio - 549 Minnehaha Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN 55130

Cost: $450 for one full course (nearly 40 hours of instruction)
$800 for dual-course enrollment
$50 deposit per course required at registration, flexible payment plans available for tuition balance.

Taught by SAFD Certified Teachers, both courses provide the option to certify as performers with the Society of American Fight Directors.  This is a unique opportunity to have your skills vetted by a nationally renowned choreographer with decades of experience in the field.

For more information, or to get registered, please visit Our Website