Chris Cardoni Stage Combat

Workshops: Individual, Group, Show-focused, etc.

“Very impressive and helpful demonstrations of…stage combat, grappling techniques, and stage weaponry, with workshop participation that made it easy to learn some really cool moves. Safety and personal respect were strongly emphasized and demonstrated as an integral part of every movement. The techniques shown in this workshop are invaluable tools that will benefit any actor or director…”

A recent workshop participant

Arrange an introductory workshop for your theatre group or school

A workshop for your community or educational theatre is a great way to introduce essential concepts, promote safety through increased awareness, and open the door to continued learning.  Of course, an introductory workshop is just that – it is no substitute for solid, sustained training. But it’s a start. Rates are reasonable, but vary, depending on length and content of workshop, number of students, prep time, and travel. No previous stage combat experience required. Participants must be dressed to move; workshop involves some physical contact appropriate to the discipline. Stage combat swords will be provided by presenter. Here are some workshops I’ve given in the past, but these are just examples. We’ll customize it for your group:

Put ‘em Up! An Introduction to Unarmed Fighting for the Theatre

Many plays involve the presentation of physical as well as emotional conflict. Participants in this workshop will be introduced to the fundamentals of safe, effective stage combat through commonly-encountered unarmed techniques: slaps, punches, strangles, grappling, etc. as time allows. Concepts discussed will include safety; partnering; cooperative energy vs. combative energy; the importance of slowness and control; eye contact and cueing; creating acting moments; and others. The workshop will culminate in a short piece of stage combat choreography.

En Garde! An Introduction to Swordplay for the Theatre

Swordfighting has been an integral, and exciting, element of theatrical performance since Shakespeare and before. Participants in this workshop will be introduced to the fundamentals of safe, effective stage swordplay through basic footwork, offense, and defense: advance/retreat, passes, cuts and thrusts, parries, etc. as time allows. Concepts discussed will include safety; partnering; cooperative energy vs. combative energy; the importance of slowness and control; eye contact and cueing; creating acting moments; and others. The workshop will culminate in a short piece of stage combat choreography.

Fight Like A Pirate!

Learn the basic techniques of safe theatrical swordplay (attack, defense, footwork, etc.) as you take part in a swashbuckling pirate fight!