Introduction to Stage Combat is a fast-paced, three-week intensive program that focuses on familiarizing students with the essential requirements for performing safe, effective stage combat.  Classes place emphasis on a non-violent approach to stage violence as well as the actor’s rights and responsibilities when required to perform fight scenes.  Students will learn to perform fundamental techniques in the eight basic “fight” disciplines recognized by the Society of American Fight Directors.  Although these classes cover SAFD basic skills, and renewal testing is available for those who qualify, Introduction to Stage Combat does not offer SAFD skills testing. 
Broadsword

The emphasis is on the development of technique and the process of the work rather than the performance.  Focusing on accuracy, safety, and the fundamental techniques needed to protect the actor and their instrument when engaged in dramatic physical encounters, the summer intensive provides opportunities to explore and develop these important skills.

Students will be in class at least six hours a day, five days a week.  Each day typically begins with an appropriate physical warm-up, followed by classes in two disciplines in the morning and two further disciplines each afternoon.  Related films and additional workshops by guest artists are a unique feature of this program.  All of this requires a considerable amount of discipline, commitment, flexibility and stamina from all participants.
Swords, daggers and all other required theatrical weapons will be provided, in class, for each student.

The program is open to all serious students, performers and professionals who wish to explore this exciting and intriguing aspect of the actor’s craft.  Based on application materials, students will be placed into appropriate class groupings that will offer their best potential of growth and development.  All High School applicants must be over 15 and have completed 9th grade.

Faculty:

Angela Bonacasa (Coordinator)

Angela is a Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors, and has worked across the country as both a stage combat teacher and fight director. She has served on faculty at Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts, the Actors Gymnasium, and taught private classes throughout the city of Chicago.  She has also taught at schools in New York, Seattle, Florida, Texas, Indiana, Colorado, and North Carolina, where she is a regular guest artist at the North Carolina School of the Arts.  As a fight director, she has worked in Chicago, New York, and many places in between on productions such as Romeo and Juliet, Othello, Richard III, Cyrano de Bergerac, The House of Bernarda Alba, History of the Devil, Fuddy Meers, Seashore, and the Jeff Recommended productions of The Oresteia and Sueno with Greasy Joan and Co.  Recent credits include Peter Pan with the Penobscot Theatre Company, and Macbeth with the Theater at Monmouth.

Mike Mahaffey (Assistant Coordinator):

Mike has acted, taught and fought his way from coast to coast, from the Carolinas to Washington State to Southern California.  He is currently on the stage combat faculty for the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles.
Favorite productions: Romeo & Juliet, Woyczek, Orphans, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Pirates of Lesbos, As You Like It, True West, Wait Until Dark, Dial M for Murder, Terra Nova, Henry IV Part One, and "Espada", a unique sword/dance piece set to argentine tango music. Mike’s work has also been seen at the English Theatre of Frankfurt, the National American Shakespeare Company and was fight director for the smash Seattle fringe hit Money & Run, an action-adventure comic serial based on TV action series of the 1970's and 80's. 
After moving to Los Angeles, Mike has enjoyed success as a stuntman and actor, appearing in The Chronicles of Narnia and the History Channel’s “300: The Battle of Thermopylae” as well as working fights behind the camera for “Revelations”, “Bowling Green”, “BUSHLeague”, “Harmony Bar” and “Crown of the Forest”.  
Favorite Roles: Mercutio (Romeo & Juliet), Touchstone (As You Like It), "Sister Nick" (Money & Run), Puck (A Midsummer Night's Dream), Baloo (Jungle Book), Noodler (Peter Pan) and Cookie the Pirate Chef (world premiere of Zorro! The Musical).
Introduction to Stage Combat is one of only three stage combat training programs in the United States granted National Workshop status by the Society of American Fight Directors – and the only such program offering high school and college credit.  The Society of American Fight Directors is a nationally recognized not-for-profit organization designed to promote safety and foster excellence in the art of directing, choreographing and teaching staged combat/theatrical violence.  The Society recognizes the stages combative arts as an integral part of the entertainment industry and is committed to providing the highest level of service to the field. 

Curriculum: 

Introduction to Stage Combat will cover a variety of classical and contemporary weapon disciplines with emphasis on development of the student’s personal command and understanding of their body in relation to theatrical physical conflict.  The goal of each class is to provide a safe foundation of technique while emphasizing and encouraging each student’s personal development and artistic exploration.  Styles of stage combat to be covered will include:
  • Unarmed / Hand-to-Hand
  • Knife
  • Broadsword
  • Smallsword

  • Rapier & Dagger
  • Single Sword / Swashbuckling
  • Sword & Shield
  • Quarterstaff

Credit:

All students classified in grades 12 or below are eligible to earn high school credit; college students may earn college semester hours. 

  • High School – Three quarters (.75) of a unit 
  • College – Three (3) semester hours

Admission Requirements:

Minimum age is 15 (must have completed 9th grade).  Previous drama, acting and/or stage combat experience is not essential.
  1. High School: Two (2) letters of recommendation; one from a dramatic arts teacher and one from an academic teacher or guidance counselor indicating the student’s maturity level.
    College/Professional: One (1) letter of recommendation from either a dramatic arts teacher or theatre professional that supports the student’s desire and ability to pursue training in stage combat.
  2. A one-page statement of why you wish to attend Introduction to Stage Combat.

For workshop information, please contact Dale Girard, Director of Stage Combat Studies, at:

NCSA Office: 336 734-2834

Or Angela Bonacasa, NSCW/East Coordinator at:
Email: ssc@safd.org

Potential students must fill out and mail in an application to be considered. Applications can be downloaded at: http://ncarts.edu/summersession/application.htm

If you need an application mailed to you, or if you have questions about the application and admissions process, please contact the NCSA admissions office at:

North Carolina School of the Arts Summer Session Office of Admissions
1533 S. Main Street
Winston-Salem, NC  27127-2188
Office: 336 770-3290
Fax: 336 770-3370
Email: admissions@ncarts.edu

Introduction to Stage Combat Costs
(Three-Week Session: July 6 – July 25, 2008 )

The following are the costs for the 2008 Summer Session:
Tuition
Room & Board
Total*
High School Students
$1,350.00
$810.00
$2,160.00
College Students/Professional
$1,250.00
$810.00
$2,060.00

*All high school students are required to live on campus, unless they live with parents or legal guardians within commuting distance of the school.  High school students are housed in residence halls in one area of campus; while high school graduates and college students live in another area of campus.  Men and women are housed separately in all cases.  All students living on campus are required to be on the meal plan, there are no exceptions.  If you have questions regarding room and board, contact the NCSA Office of Residence Life at (336) 770-3280.

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