Christopher Elst (He/Him/His)

Secretary, Certified Teacher

Christopher Elst is a Milwaukee-based fight director and violence and intimacy designer, holding ranks of Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) and Associate Instructor with Dueling Arts International (DAI).

Since 2005, he has trained with world-renowned instructors, including several members of the College of Fight Masters of the SAFD, and has served as fight director for over 100 productions in the Great Lakes area and nationwide. Christopher considers stage combat a modern martial art, combining deadly technique with aesthetic beauty. He embraces a philosophy of theatrical violence summed up in three words: “Safety delivers story.” Once actors feel truly safe in their technique, they free themselves to create exciting and compelling work.

He is also one half of the dynamo team that runs Theater RED, an upstart Milwaukee theatrical production company dedicated to three core tenets: substantial roles for women, growth in craft for artists, and support for new playwrights.


Skill Proficiency History

Date Weapon Location Grade

CISCO 2015

Jun 6, 2015 Broadsword and Shield Eureka, Illinois Recommended Pass

WIU

Jan 16, 2015 Rapier and Dagger Macomb, Illinois Recommended Pass
Jan 16, 2015 Unarmed Macomb, Illinois Recommended Pass
Jan 16, 2015 Broadsword and Shield Macomb, Illinois Recommended Pass

Eureka College

Jun 6, 2014 Quarterstaff Eureka, Illinois Recommended Pass

Central Illinois Stage Combat Workshop

Jun 7, 2013 Single Sword Eureka, Illinois Recommended Pass
Jun 7, 2013 Knife Eureka, Illinois Recommended Pass
Jun 3, 2011 Broadsword Eureka, Illinois Recommended Pass
Jun 3, 2011 Single Sword Eureka, Illinois Recommended Pass
Jun 3, 2011 Rapier and Dagger Eureka, Illinois Recommended Pass
Jun 5, 2009 Small Sword Eureka, Illinois Recommended Pass
Jun 5, 2009 Broadsword and Shield Eureka, Illinois Recommended Pass

Central Illinois Stage Combat Workshop 2012

Jun 3, 2012 Broadsword Eureka, Illinois Recommended Pass
Jun 3, 2012 Knife Eureka, Illinois Recommended Pass
Jun 3, 2012 Small Sword Eureka, Illinois Recommended Pass
Jun 3, 2012 Quarterstaff Eureka, Illinois Recommended Pass

Carnage in the Corn

Nov 20, 2010 Quarterstaff Des Moines, Iowa Recommended Pass

Univ of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Apr 26, 2009 Single Sword Stevens Point, Wisconsin Recommended Pass

2009 Winter Wonderland Workshop

Jan 18, 2009 Unarmed Elgin, Illinois Recommended Pass

The Actors Gymnasium

Mar 9, 2008 Quarterstaff Evanston, Illinois Basic Pass