Actors Need Basic Stage Combat

Few acting schools teach anything but the bare-bones of acted agression. To get certified in Fight Directors Canada (the only Equity-approved stage combat standard), the only place in Vancouver is Academie Duello.

The Shakespeare actor who has a sword fight on stage has no stunt double. He must do the fight himself. How good is that fight if the first time he picked up a sword was in his rehearsal hall, three weeks before opening night? Actors trained in stage combat impress live audiences.

The action star in that film punches and kicks bad guys, and you can tell he can really do it. Was it karate lessons that enables him to do that? No, it’s stage combat training.

The female lead is being choked by the villain. If you were cast in that role, would you feel safe?

Course Content

Designed for actors and the real situations you will encounter in film, stage and other performance venues, the Basic level includes:

• How to fall, faint and get thrown to the ground safely
• How to perform convincing slaps, hair pulls, strangulations and other brutal action with zero risk
• How to swing weapons safely at full speed and with no bulky padding
• How to integrate a fight into a scene with full acting intentions so the audience is captivated

At the Basic level, three weapons are introduced:

• Swashbuckling Sword
• Street-fighting Unarmed
• Six-foot Staff

Fits Your Schedule

We train three times per week, but if that doesn’t work with your schedule, you can choose to come once or twice a week on the day of your choice.

Current Schedule

• Tuesdays 8-10pm
• Thursdays 8-10pm
• Saturdays 5-7pm

Get Started

In order to join the ongoing classes, you need a few fundamental skills. The Intro to Stage Combat workshop is a four-hour practical intensive on sword and unarmed combat for the stage.

Call 604-568-9907 or drop by Academie Duello to register today.

Next Workshop

Whether you’re interested in joining the Basic stage combat certification classes, or if you just want the bare fundamentals to be safe, the Introduction to Stage Combat is an ideal workshop for any actor. Our next 4-hour workshop is Sunday, 8 April, 2012.

What About Intermediate?

If you already earned your Basic Actor-Combatant and you’re ready to progress to Broadsword, Rapier & Dagger, Smallsword and Martial Arts, contact me directly. We train on the same days as Basic (above), and the membership fees are exactly the same.