The Cutting Edge Newsletter Archives

The following contains the archive list of all articles related to The Cutting Edge newsletter. You can view any article in the archive. The list is grouped by publication dates. You can also filter the archive by publication date and sort each archive publication.

For archives prior to March 2010, please visit our TCE PDF version archives page.

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The Pen is Mightier than the Sword March/April 2013

Greetings from the Cutting Edge! 2013 is in full swing. As Spring comes, Summer is right behind and with it comes the National Stage Combat Workshop, our flagship event. If you have never been, or... 		03/13/2013 View article

Northwest Regional Report March/April 2013

AC Lee Ann Hittenberger is continuing with the professional actor training program at Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theatre after having completed the unit on Commedia. She is learning... 		03/13/2013 View article

Rocky Mountain Regional Report March/April 2013

AAC Benaiah Anderson just finished Romeo and Juliet at the Denver Center where he participated in some thumb biting, sword fighting, and furniture moving.  He is... 		03/13/2013 View article

Pacific West Regional Report March/April 2013

AAC Collin Bressie is wrapping up the fall semester at AMDA and will quickly be gearing up for start of the spring semester. At the beginning of the new year he started teaching an unarmed stage... 		03/13/2013 View article

Southeast Regional Report March/April 2013

CT Dan Granke is rapidly approaching the end of his MFA studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. His mask coaching was recently seen in a production of The Jabberwocky. Upcoming shows inculde his... 		03/18/2013 View article

East Central Regional Report March/April 2013

AAC Galway McCullough just finished teaching a Rapier and Companions class for Combat Inc., coordinated violence for a Columbia University short last week and March's film will be his 60th... 		03/13/2013 View article

Northeast Regional Report March/April 2013

Friend Chris Cardoni (cjfights.com): Recent - Romeo and Juliet Shrewsbury, MA High School; Dead Man’s Cell Phone, Hovey Players, Waltham, MA; I Hate Hamlet, Community Players of Pawtucket, RI;... 		03/18/2013 View article

Great Lakes Regional Report March/April 2013

A Chicago perspective from Friend Mary Barnidge: Not much violence over the winter holidays, but in January Matt Hawkins contributed some nice smacks-and-grapples forThe Motherfucker with the Hat at... 		03/13/2013 View article

Power Bomb! Combining Professional Wrestling and Stage Combat.

"The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity" presents a dilemma for any fight choreographer: how are you going to teach actors to preform a powerbomb safely? Playwright Kristoffer Diaz makes the... 		03/13/2013 View article

A Report from the 2013 Winter Wonderland Workshop

                Typically, these reports are submitted by newcomers to a workshop, describing how awesome their experience... 		03/13/2013 View article

The Pen is Mightier than the Sword January/February 2013

Greetings and Happy New Year from The Cutting Edge! The year brings changes and passings. In this issue we have a tribute to Todd Loweth, a Certified Teacher who passed away before the holidays.... 		01/15/2013 View article

Member Representative Election Results.

The results are: Actor Combatant Representative: Zev Steinberg Certified Teacher Representative: Fulton Burns Fight Director Representative: Paul Denhardt Fight Master Representative: Ian Rose... 		01/15/2013 View article

Support the SAFD Scholarship Fund!

We need your help! In an effort to address the continuing funding of the many scholarships the SAFD offers to its instructional offerings in stage combat, the Governing Body of the SAFD created the... 		01/15/2013 View article

Membership Dues Reminder 2013

Membership Renewal Notice For those of you who have paid membership dues for 2013, we sincerely thank you. If not, please take a few moments to renew your membership: For those of you who need to pay... 		01/15/2013 View article

Northwest Regional Report January/February 2013

AC Lee Ann Hittenberger will be attending Paddy Crean Workshop this New Year’s and attended Young Blood’s Stage Combat Intensive in London taught by Tim Klotz.  She received a silver medal for... 		01/15/2013 View article

Rocky Mountain Regional Report 2013

FD/CT Geoffrey Kent just wrapped his 10th season at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival and a run as Jussac in The Three Musketeers at the Denver Center Theatre Company. After wrapping up SPT... 		01/15/2013 View article

Northeast Regional Report January/February 2013

Friend Chris Cardoni (cjfights.com) consulted on unarmed fights for the Acme Theater (Maynard, MA) production of the backstage farce Drop Dead. Chris staged rapier duels for the Shrewsbury, MA... 		01/15/2013 View article

Southeast Regional Report January/February 2013

CT Dan Granke just finished directing a sucessful production of Grania by Lady Gregory, staged alongside several short Irish plays. He also completed the first leg of his Teaching Certification with... 		01/15/2013 View article

Mid-America Regional Report January/February 2013

AAC and Regional Representative Danette Baker had the pleasure of opening the new year as a Teaching Assistant at the Winter Wonderland Workshop hosted by MACE, and will be fight director for Wichita... 		01/15/2013 View article

Mayhem in the Maize: A Report from Carnage in the Corn 2013

When I stop and think now and again about what needs to happen for a regional stage combat workshop to be successful (as I strangely often do), I’m frequently torn on what those key ingredients must... 		01/15/2013 View article

In Memoriam: Todd Loweth

He was bold and brash and passionate. He was opinionated and talented and perceptive. And even back then, he had the moves like Jagger. When Todd Loweth arrived in Washington, DC in the early 1990’s... 		01/15/2013 View article

The Pen is Mightier than the Sword November/December 2012

Greetings from The Cutting Edge! We hope this finds you well and preparing for the end of the year. In this issue we have reports from the Governing Body's face to face meeting, a report from the... 		11/15/2012 View article

Ballot for Member Representatives 2012

Below is the link to the ballot for the election. There will be a set of links there allowing you to vote for each catagory you are eligible to vote in. Polls close November 30th and you must be... 		11/15/2012 View article

Mid America Regional Report November/December 2012

AAC and Regional Representative Danette Baker just recently organized the first ever Wichita State University SPT Intensive in Knife Fighting, taught by CT Brian LeTraunik (Danette assisted Brian)... 		11/15/2012 View article

Southeast Regional Report November/December 2012

Greetings from the South East Region! Fight Master Richard Ryan is currently in Ireland working as Swordmaster & Assistant Stunt Coordinator on Vikings, the History Channel’s new drama series... 		11/15/2012 View article

Northwest Regional Report November/December 2012

AC Casey Brown is beginning his second year as Education Associate at Seattle Shakespeare Company. He is in preproduction for the SSC touring shows of Romeo and Juliet and Julius Caesar, which he is... 		11/15/2012 View article

Rocky Mountain Regional Report November/December 2012

AAC Benaiah Anderson recently finished a run of The Three Musketeers at the Denver Center, he played the Count De Wardes and ensemble with lots of sword fights.  He is assisting... 		11/15/2012 View article

Pacific West Regional Report November/December 2012

CT Andrea Robertson was so excited to go and play at the Philly Cheesesteak this year!  Thank you, Ian and all for a great weekend!  Having just finished fight directing Lucia di... 		11/15/2012 View article

Fight Master Erik Fredricksen takes Emeritus Status

Emeritus status is granted to non-active members of the SAFD in honor of their lifetime contributions to the art of stage combat, and Erik Fredricksen has been contributing to the art before the SAFD... 		11/15/2012 View article

For He Today that Shares a Cheesesteak with Me...A Report from the Philadelphia Stage Combat Workshop 2012

            The weekend workshop is very much like swordplay – quick, efficient, and focused. Students hit the ground running, as time is... 		11/15/2012 View article

The Pen is Mightier than the Sword September/October 2012

Greetings from the Cutting Edge, Fall is coming quick, and as the weather and leaves change we have some exciting news and changes in the Society: - Fight Master Erik Fredricksen, one of the founding... 		09/25/2012 View article

Candidates for Member Representative Posts

Candidates for Friend/Actor Combatant/ Advanced Actor Combatant Representitave Collin Bressie - Greetings friends and colleagues, My name is Collin Bressie, I'm a AAC with the SAFD and have been a... 		09/25/2012 View article

Great Lakes Regional Report September/October 2012

CT Bruce Cromer has finished his Professional Development Leave from teaching duties at Wright State University.  During the 2011-2012 school year, Professor Cromer (who is Head of Acting in the... 		09/25/2012 View article

Northwest Regional Report September/October 2012

In September, FD/CT Robert Macdougall will be Fight Director for a production of Richard III and work as Movement and Fight Director for a world premiere of The Ramayana. AC Lee Ann Hittenberger... 		09/25/2012 View article

Pacific West Regoinal Report September/October 2012

AA/C Collin Bressie continues to enjoy and count his blessings as the past few months have provided him with much to celebrate. He is now engaged to the love of his life (she was crazy enough to say... 		09/25/2012 View article

Rocky Mountain Regional Report September/October 2012

CT/FD Geoffrey Kent spent the summer with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival playing Garry in Noises Off and Orsino in Twelfth Night as well as staging fights for Richard III... 		09/25/2012 View article

Mid Atlantic Regional Report September/October 2012

CT Al Foote taught a week of stage combat for kids and adults for Pier Studios' theatre summer camp.  They covered unarmed and some basic swordplay -- teens LOVE swords!  He also made a... 		09/25/2012 View article

New England Regional Report September/October 2012

Friend Chris Cardoni(cjfights.com) consulted on the South Shore Summer Theatre (Scituate, MA) August production of The Pirates of Penzance. Chris is starting work on yet another production of I Hate... 		09/25/2012 View article

Southeast Regional Report September/October 2012

CT John Cashman is relocating to the North East, Connecticut to be exact.  It has been an honor and a priveledge to serve as the Regional Rep for the South East Region.  I am happy to... 		09/25/2012 View article

Reaching New Heights: A Report from the NSCW 2012 Advanced Actor-Combatant Workshop

I stumbled off of a plane in Greensboro, North Carolina still jet lagged from the plane I’d taken from Italy to Arkansas.   The immediate greetings from my nine comrades as I set foot on... 		09/25/2012 View article

Let it Fall: A report from the 2012 Intro to Stage Combat Workshop

No truly great things happen when you think you’re prepared.  Was Luke ready to be thrown off into space and discover the force?  No.  Was Frodo ready to bear the Ring all the way to... 		09/25/2012 View article

The Pen is Mightier than The Sword July-August 2012

Greetings from The Cutting Edge, Summer is thick upon us and for some of us the bags are packed and we are off to North Carolina for the National Stage Combat Workshop. For those who won’t be there... 		07/25/2012 View article

URGENT: Help needed with The Fight Master Archive.

The Fight Master has entered into the final stages of establishing an electronic archive for the benefit of the membership. Out of the eighty-six issues published we are only missing the following... 		07/25/2012 View article

Call For Member Representative Nominations July/August 2012

Our current Member Representatives will conclude their terms in office on December 31, 2012. This means that nominations for potential candidates to fill these positions are needed no later than 12:... 		07/25/2012 View article

Northeast Regional Report July/August 2012

CT Angela Bonacasa, after finishing the winter with choreography for Twelfth Night at Bowdoin College, choreographed Man of La Mancha with the New Surry Theatre Company.  She also... 		07/25/2012 View article

Great Lakes Regional Report July/August 2012

CT Brian Evans thoroughly enjoyed co-choreographing War is F**king Awesome with Qui Nguyen for the premiere at Ohio University with director Robert Ross Parker.  Vampire Cowboys brought Mr.... 		07/25/2012 View article

Mid-Atlantic Regional Report July/August 2012

FM J Allen Suddeth recently fight directed and starred in the short film "An Irish Hello: A Father's Day Comedy" featured on Daily Fiber Films. A link to the full press release here. A link to the... 		07/27/2012 View article

Southeast Regional Report July/August 2012

Greetings from the South East Region! FM Richard Ryan is currently in pre-production as Swordmaster and Assistant Stunt Coordinator for Vikings, a new TV drama series for the History Channel which... 		07/25/2012 View article

Northwest Regional Report July/August 2012

AC Casey Brown has been keeping busy in Seattle. In September 2011, he joined the staff of Seattle Shakespeare Company as their Education Associate. Among his duties is the managing of... 		07/25/2012 View article

Rocky Mountain Regional Report July/August 2012.

AAC Benaiah Anderson is working his tail feathers off this summer at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival.  He is Fight Captain for Richard III and Treasure Island as well as playing... 		07/25/2012 View article

Mid-America Regional Report July/August 2012

AAC and Mid-America Regional Rep Danette Baker just finished working with Seven Devils National Playwrights Conference in McCall, ID, and gave a lecture demonstration on Rapier & Dagger fighting... 		07/25/2012 View article

Pacific West Regional Report July/August 2012

Honorary Member Anthony De Longis Writes: Keeping busy on both sides of the camera, as well as teaching and training. I'm currently finishing the script for the final chapter of my award winning... 		07/25/2012 View article

Staves, Swords, and Noodles: A perspective from CISCO 2012

“Hi Mom!” Amie Root, one of our Associate Instructor calls out from one side of her partner Caitlin’s (also an AI) body. Her hand is doing a tiny wave before sailing through the air, crossing the... 		07/25/2012 View article

A Report from the A-Town Throwdown 2012

The 2012 “A-Town Throw Down” took place on May 11-13 and was hosted at Kennesaw State University. This was its second year, boasting a great staff, increased attendance and an amazing fundraiser for... 		07/25/2012 View article

The Pen is Mightier than the Sword May/June 2012

Greetings From the Cutting Edge,For some of us, summer weather is already creeping in and with it dreams of a summer spent catching up with friends and continuing to pursue new adventures in training... 		05/16/2012 View article

National Stage Combat Workshops 2012

UNC School of the ArtsWinston Salem, NC July 9  - July 27, 2012 The University of North Carolina School of the Arts Summer Stage Combat Program (SSC), working in conjunction with the... 		05/16/2012 View article

Congratulations to the Staff and TCW candidates for the the 2012 NSCW

The Cutting Edge would like to congratulate the staff of the 2012 NSCW: Fight Masters: Brian Byrnes, Mark Guinn, J. Allen Suddeth, Geoff Alm, Dale Girard, Chuck Coyl, and Richard Ryan. Teaching... 		05/17/2012 View article

Call for Member Representative Nominations May/June 2012

Our current Member Representatives will conclude their terms in office on December 31, 2012. This means that nominations for potential candidates to fill these positions are needed no later than 12:... 		05/16/2012 View article

Northwest Regional Report May/June 2012

FM Geof Alm is continuing to teach classes at Cornish College, University of Puget Sound, Freehold Studio, and a Single Sword class. He choreographed fights for Oklahoma at the 5th Avenue... 		05/16/2012 View article

Southeast Regional Report May/June 2012

Greetings from the South East Region! SE Regional Rep/CT John Cashman is teaching private classes by appointment in the Orlando Area. CT/FD Bruce Lecure is the Fight Director for Asolo Repertory... 		05/16/2012 View article

East Coast Regional Report May/June 2012

CT Al Foote recently served as Fight Director for productions of Shitbird, a new play about an AWOL Marine, and M. Butterfly.  As an actor he continued his work with the web series Other People... 		05/16/2012 View article

Northeast Regional Report May/June 2012

Friend Chris Cardoni (cjfights.com) and partner Melissa Sine recently performed a pirate swordfight outdoors in Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA: Pirate Fight. Chris is directing and fight... 		05/16/2012 View article

Mid-America Regional Report May/June 2012

AAC and Mid-America Regional Rep Danette Baker finished up choreographing The Three Musketeers for Mulvane High School in Mulvane, KS, and performed as Portia in Wichita Center for the Arts (KS)... 		05/16/2012 View article

Upcoming Sanctioned Workshops

  Workshop Ads Requirements: Please look at The Cutting Edge advisertisement requirements. Sending us your advertisement correctly formatted will help ensure that the ad will appear in the... 		03/18/2013 View article

Technical Directors Recieve Theatrical Firearms Training at University of Virgina

The few, the proud, the theatrical firearm wranglers! On January 20-22, 2012, the Technical Directors, Scenic Designers and Lighting Designers from the University of Virginia’s MFA program joined... 		05/16/2012 View article

A Report from the 2012 Louisiana Stage Combat Workshop.

Having This Much Fun Shouldn’t be Legal, BUT IT IS! The Boil turned 21 this year! Louisiana Tech University’s Stage Combat Workshop, affectionately known by its nickname, “The Boil” took place Easter... 		05/16/2012 View article

Cease and Desist 2012: A report from the Cincinnati Stage Combat Workshop.

This year, I attended the Cincinnati Regional Workshop, the Cease and Desist, for the very first time.  I had a blast.  If you’ve never had a chance to attend this one, it’s well worth it.... 		05/16/2012 View article

Virginia Beach Bash 2012

(Eds note: this article originally appeared in Regent University's Theatre Department Blog, reprinted with permission of Dr. Michael Kirkland. The original can be found here: http://regentbackstage.... 		05/16/2012 View article

The Pen is Mightier than the Sword

Greetings from The Cutting Edge! Spring is coming, and with it a multitude of training opportunities. We're coming up on March Madness er... Cease and Desist, The Lincoln Assasination, Virginia Beach... 		03/12/2012 View article

Northwest Regional Report March/April 2012

FM Geof Alm is choreographing fights for Oklahoma at the 5th Avenue Theater, and theSingle Shard at Seattle Children's Theatre. He continues teaching at Cornish, The University of Washington,... 		07/25/2012 View article

Call for Member Representative Nominations

Our current Member Representatives will conclude their terms in office on December 31, 2012. This means that nominations for potential candidates to fill these positions are needed no later than 12:... 		03/12/2012 View article

Rocky Mountain Regional Report March/April 2012

AAC Benaiah Anderson is currently working on an Othello and a Peter Pan kids show.  He is looking forward to a fun and violent summer with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival... 		03/12/2012 View article

Southeast Regional Report March/April 2012

SE Regional Rep/CT John Cashman is teaching private classes by appointment in the Orlando Area. AAC Kelly Martin Mann traveled to Stuttgart, Germany in late October to assist FM Scot Mann for a test... 		03/12/2012 View article

Northeast Regional Report March/April 2012

Friend Chris Cardoni (http://www.cjfights.com/) will teach a workshop called Fight Like A Pirate! at the Cambridge Centerfor Adult Education in Harvard Square this April (http://www.ccae.org/catalog/... 		03/12/2012 View article

Mid-America Regional Report March/April 2012

AAC and Mid-America Regional Rep Danette Baker is choreographing her third production of The Three Musketeers, this time for Mulvane High School in Mulvane, KS. She also just received her Second... 		03/12/2012 View article

Southwest Regional Report March/April 2012

CT Matthew E. Ellis fight directed Dracula and Spring’s Awakening during fall semester at University of Oklahoma.  Spring’s Awakening, directed by Matthew’s wife Tonia Ellis, was invited to... 		03/12/2012 View article

Congratulations to Fight Master Ian Rose

Late last year the SAFD inducted another Fight Master, Ian Rose. The Cutting Edge would like to congratulate him and take a brief look back at Ian’s career. Ian joined the SAFD in 1982, He was in NYC... 		03/12/2012 View article

Moving Forward, A Different Perspective on the Winter Wonderland Workshop 2012

Winter Wonderland felt different this year. This, however, is to be expected at a workshop now operating under the new auspices (yet old guard) of MACE (Movement and Combat Education).  MACE... 		03/14/2012 View article

A Report from the Advanced Combat Intensive

The Winter Wonderland Workshop in Chicago is the largest sanctioned regional workshop in the country. Founded in 1996, the workshop has been the first stage combat event every year, and one not to be... 		03/12/2012 View article

The Pen is Mightier than the Sword January/February 2012

Readers:I had the privilege over the new year of teaching at the Winter Wonderland Workshop in Chicago. At my first WWW in 2007, the workshop was already massive, the largest in the country outside... 		02/11/2012 View article

Applications open for Staff and Scholarships for the NSCW 2012

Howdy Campers!!   The Society of American Fight Directors offers wonderful opporunities for those interested to become part of our annual National Stage Combat Workshop. In addition to... 		02/04/2012 View article

Northwest Regional Report January/February 2012

  CT/AAC Jonathan Cole just choreographed Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol and (I Am Still) The Duchess of Malfi at Artists Repertory Theatre, and co-... 		02/04/2012 View article

Pacific West Regional Report January/February 2012

CT Andrea Robertson is loving her new job as the Director of Theater at Paradise Valley Community College.  This semester she had the chance to direct/fight direct I Hate Hamlet as... 		02/04/2012 View article

Mid America Regional Report January/February 2012

AA/C and Mid-America Regional Rep Danette Baker is excited to report that she passed her Smallsword and Knife renewals at Carnage in the Corn in November and had a very successful TA experience there... 		02/04/2012 View article

Southeast Regional Report January/February 2012

SE Regional Rep/CT John Cashman is teaching private SPT classes by appointment in the Orlando Area. CT Marianne Kubik joined FD Colleen Kelly in welcoming FM Richard Ryan to the University of... 		02/04/2012 View article

Northeast Regional Report January/February 2012

CT Angela Bonacasa, after playing the role of Nora in The Radio Show's production of The Thin Man, headed off to Baltimore to perform in the Baltimore premiere of Broadville with CT Missy Styles,... 		02/04/2012 View article

Mid-Atlantic Regional Report January/February 2012

CT Sterling Swann writes: I directed "Tis Pity She's a Whore @ Sarah Lawrence College. One of the fall productions was cancelled, and they needed a replacement project in a hurry. I suggested a... 		02/04/2012 View article

Great Lakes Regional Report January February 2012.

AA/C Greg Poljacik with a Chicago-land update: Winter Wonderland was a huge success this year, as well as three new intensives: The Boushey Way, The Advanced Intensive, and the Stage Management... 		02/04/2012 View article

Props Masters and Staged Violence

(What follows is the transcript of a presentation given at NY Public Theatre last August by Fight Master J. Allen Suddeth to an audience of 50 props professionals.) Hello and good evening: My name is... 		02/04/2012 View article

Adventures in Stage Combat Pedagogy: The Teaching Symposium at HCC

“You all are terrible,” moaned CT Lewis Shaw.  “I mean, just terrible.”  So began our Smallsword class at the Teaching Symposium coordinated by CT Jenny Male at Howard Community College... 		02/04/2012 View article

Double the CARNAGE! Two reports from Carnage in the Corn 2011

Sandy Nuss writes: To believably portray life on stage is a lifelong endeavor, a skill an actor never stops seeking to improve. And let's be honest, it's not just one "skill." It’s a whole arsenal of... 		02/04/2012 View article

The Pen is Mightier than the Sword November/December 2011

Greetings once again from The Cutting Edge. The end of the year is coming quickly and with it a host of exciting changes and new opportunities. This issue features a look back at the SAFD career of... 		11/10/2011 View article

A Report from the Governing Body Meeting

Dear all – The most recent GB meeting has come and gone.  Much was discussed, some was decided.  The most salient details are below! Question for Y’All: Would you prefer the SAFD move to a... 		11/10/2011 View article

Call for Submissions to The Fight Master

Greetings from The Fight Master: I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying projects providing you with challenges and fulfillment. With the latest issue of The Fight Master in the mail, it is... 		11/10/2011 View article

Call for new Associate Editor for The Fight Master

The Fight Master is seeking a new Associate Editor to serve beginning in January 2012. As a bi-annual publication, The Fight Master publishes a wide variety of articles, ranging in style and length,... 		11/10/2011 View article

Southeast Regional Report November/December 2011

Greetings from the South East Region! Congratulations to our new Fight Master, Scot Mann!! SE Regional Rep/CT John Cashman is teaching private SPT classes by appointment in the Orlando Area. AA/C... 		11/10/2011 View article

New England Regional Report November/December 2011

Friend Chris Cardoni (cjfights.com) will present three workshops (Introduction to Stage Combat: Unarmed; Introduction to Stage Combat: Sword fighting; and Directing Fights for the Non-Fight Director... 		11/10/2011 View article

East Central Regional Report November/December 2011

CT Al Foote is currently fight directing three productions: Caryl Churchill's Cloud 9 for Columbia Stages, Pinter's The HotHouse at Shapiro Theater and If You Could See: The Alice Austen Story for... 		11/10/2011 View article

Great Lakes Regional Report November/December 2011

CT Brian Evans directed and choreographed the fights for Henry the Fourth, Part One at Oxford Shakespeare Festival this past summer. Brian goes up for tenure at the end of this year at Ohio... 		11/10/2011 View article

Northwest Regional Report November/December 2011

FM Geoffrey Alm spent the summer working on Disney's Aladdin at the 5th Avenue Theatre and Porgy and Bess at Seattle Opera. He is currently directing fights for Robin Hood at Seattle Children's... 		11/10/2011 View article

Pacific West Regional Report November/December 2011

CT Andrea Robertson has had many changes over the last few months.  On July 7 on a beach in Jamaica she married her wonderful new husband David.  In August she took over the position as... 		11/10/2011 View article

Southwest Regional Report November/December 2011

CT Matthew E. Ellis directed and fight directed The Odyssey by Mary Zimmerman at the University of Oklahoma last April.  He performed his ballet debut as the the Head Mistress in Graduation Ball... 		11/10/2011 View article

Mid-America Regional Report November/December 2011

AC Jennifer Allton, trained cast members and choreographed the violence in Women Beware Women, by Thomas Middleton, at Simpson College in Indianola, IA. It ran October 7 & 8, directed... 		11/13/2011 View article

Congratulations to Fight Master Scot Mann

Congratulations to our new Fight Master Scot J. Mann! With this Scot becomes the 16th active Fight Master.Fight Master Scot J. Mann is an award winning and internationally recognized Fight Director... 		11/10/2011 View article

A Report from Swords and Schooners 2011

Yo ho m'harties. We're reporting after the conclusion of the 2011 Swords & Schooners Workshop from the Tall Ship Windy. Though only in its second year, this workshop has made leaps and bounds in... 		11/10/2011 View article

A Report from Summer Sling 2011

This August at the Atlantic Theater Company in New York City I attended the annual Summer Sling workshop, a four day event of the SAFD . The classes ranged from the 8 weapon styles to more... 		11/10/2011 View article

A Report from the Philadelphia Stage Combat Workshop 2011

            A dirty chai from Starbucks in one hand and a duffel of clothes over my shoulder, I sort of felt like I was finally coming home for... 		11/10/2011 View article

The Pen is Mightier than the Sword September/October 2011

Greetings Friends, Fall is coming fast, and we are all gearing up after our post summer projects while remembering the fun and savoring the successes. In this issue we have three reminisces from... 		09/02/2011 View article

Notice For Upcoming Governing Body Meeting

The SAFD Governing body will be have a face to face meeting over  the weekend of September 11th or 12th. Please take this opportunity to contact the members of the governing body with any... 		09/03/2011 View article

Northeast Regional Report September/October 2011

Friend Chris Cardoni(cjfights.com) is playing Prospero in The Hovey Player’s (Waltham, MA) September production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest (as well as providing rapiers for the shipwrecked nobles... 		09/03/2011 View article

Southeast Regional Report September/October 2011

SE Regional Rep/CT John Cashman is teaching private SPT classes by appointment in the Orlando Area. FD Scot J. Mann directed the hit musical I Love You, You’re Perfect; Now Change for Mercer... 		09/03/2011 View article

Great Lakes Regional Report September/October 2011

CT Bruce Cromer received rave reviews as Apemantus in the July production of Timon of Athens at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey.  He was proud to share the stage with two of his... 		09/03/2011 View article

Northwest Regional Report September/October 2011

AC Lee Ann Hittenberger renewed this year in Unarmed, Rapier & Dagger, Smallsword, Broadsword (2x within 2 weeks of each other), Single Sword, and Sword & Shield.  She also assisted FM... 		09/03/2011 View article

Pacific West Regional Report September/October 2011

Friend Skye Noel has started a theatre company with Aaron Ganz and Christopher Hildebrand called Theatrum Elysium in Los Angeles, CA.  The theatre’s first show is No Exit opening in November.... 		09/03/2011 View article

Congratulations to the New Certified Teachers.

The Cutting Edge would like to congratulate our new Certified Teachers. These individuals completed the work necissary to achieve their status at the 2011NSCW: Jonn Baca Brian Evans Jonthan Jolly... 		09/03/2011 View article

A Report from the Central Illinois Stage Combat Workshop 2011

            The Central Illinois Stage Combat Workshop begins and ends its three weeks of training with a circle of participants and staff. In... 		09/03/2011 View article

The Inaugural Whips, Sticks, and Flyin' Knives Workshop.

The first “Whips, Sticks, and Flyin’ Knives” workshop, sponsored by Action Arts and hosted by Theatre Macon, was held the weekend of July 23rd. Twenty students and staff descended on Macon, GA where... 		09/03/2011 View article

A Reflection from the 2011 National Stage Combat Workshop

I have wanted to delve into the world of the SAFD for a number of years, and finally decided that 2011 would be my year. I joined the SAFD in January, 2011 and immediately began making plans to... 		09/06/2011 View article

The Pen is Mightier than the Sword July/August 2011

Summer Greetings from The Cutting Edge. We hope that everyones' summer is loaded with artistic projects as well as some time to relax and enjoy the warm weather. We also send our best to the Actor... 		07/11/2011 View article

Northeast Regional Report July/August 2011

CT Angela Bonacasa is currently in rehearsals for The Bat, which she is directing for the University of Maine Summer Musical Theatre Festival.  Later this summer, she will be staging the fights... 		07/11/2011 View article

Southeast Regional Report July/August 2011

SE Regional Rep/CT John Cashman is teaching private SPT classes by appointment in the Orlando Area. FM Richard Ryan was recently a guest speaker and on the panel of action coordinators at the action... 		07/11/2011 View article

East Central Regional Report July/August 2011

CT Al Foote III is fight directing Mauritius for Out of Line Productions.  His stunt coordination for A Midsummer Night's Dream and King Lear will be released by Vook on iTunes and other app... 		07/11/2011 View article

Mid-America Regional Report July/August 2011

AAC and Mid-America Regional Rep Danette Baker was a member of the acting company for Seven Devils Playwrights Conference in McCall, ID where she spent two phenomenal weeks helping to develop new... 		07/11/2011 View article

Great Lakes Regional Report July/August 2011

Friend Mark Ryan Anderson will be attending the British American Drama Academy’s Shakespeare Program at Magdalene College, Oxford this summer. AC Benjamin Cole recently directed a production of The... 		07/11/2011 View article

Northwest Regional Report July/August 2011

Regional Representative and CT Heidi Wolf writes:Congratulations to the many students in the NW Region who performed SPTs in May and June 2011: Cornish College: UA, BS, RD Willamette University: RD,... 		07/11/2011 View article

Pacific West Regional Report July/August 2011

Honorary Member Anthony Delongis writes about his upcoming project Blood Trail 2: Last year, we produced the short film BLOOD TRAIL. Despite a very limited budget (we funded the entire production... 		07/11/2011 View article

A Report from the 20th Annual Stage Combat Workshop at Louisiana Tech.

Every Easter for the past 20 years stage combat artist, teachers, aficionados, and friends come to Ruston, Louisiana for the Stage Combat Workshop at Louisiana Tech University. With the celebration... 		07/11/2011 View article

From the Floor... A Report on the Inaugural A-town Throwdown

This May, I fell for the A-Town Throw Down in Atlanta, GA.  Hard! The brand-new SAFD-sanctioned workshop for the southeast area attracted over 30 students (many new to the Society) and showcased... 		07/11/2011 View article

Abuse on the Job

Written in consultation with J. Allen Suddeth I am an actor. I studied The Method at The Lee Strasberg Institute in New York, and learned many valuable skills. Breaking someone's humerus bone into... 		07/11/2011 View article

Broken in San Francisco

She said that the cracking of her bones could be heard across the rehearsal hall. That was what Carole Swann told me in an interview this May, several months after she called to let me know that a... 		07/14/2011 View article

The Pen is Mightier than the Sword May/June 2011

Greetings All  Thanks for reading the newest edition of The Cutting Edge. This issue is full of reports on the variety of exciting happenings in the SAFD across the country. March was a busy... 		05/03/2011 View article

Pacific West Regional Report May/June 2011

CT Andrea Robertson reports: As always, things have been rolling along quickly.  Andrea is teaching her first SPT class, Single Sword and Smallsword, which will be adjudicated in May.  In... 		05/03/2011 View article

New England Regional Report May/June 2011

CT Angela Bonacasa closed down 2010 by performing sword fights and rides on horseback with the Isaac Royal Farm Equestrian Theatre and directed A Christmas Carol for the Center Theatre of Dover-... 		05/03/2011 View article

Great Lakes Regional Report May/June 2011

CT Bruce Cromer played Butch in Next Fall at the Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati in January/February of 2010, and is currently directing and adapting Charles Dickens' Barnaby Rudge for a Wright State... 		05/03/2011 View article

Rocky Mountain Regional Report May/June 2011

AAC Benaiah Anderson has been cast as Tybalt in the upcoming season of The Colorado Shakespeare Festival.  He will be killing Jefe nightly since CT/FD Geoffrey Kent has been cast as Mercutio...... 		05/05/2011 View article

Southeast Regional Report May-July 2011

AA/C Kevin Inouye is looking forward to a busy Spring. Recently returned from attending the Southeast Theatre Conference (SETC), he’s hoping to catch his fights in the last week of Legacy of Light, a... 		05/03/2011 View article

East Central Regional Report May-June 2011

CT Al Foote III worked his first AFRTA stunt coordinator contract doing fights and physical comedy for King Lear and A Midsummer Night's Dream for a line of upcoming Shakespeare Apps.  This also... 		05/03/2011 View article

Mid-America Regional Report May/June 2011

AAC and Mid-America Regional Rep Danette Baker served as an Intern at the Winter Wonderland Workshop, and immediately prior to that she and AC Ed Baker did an intensive with CT Missy Styles and... 		05/03/2011 View article

Upcoming SPTs

When: May 6, 2013 6:00 pm Where: Paradise Valley Community College What: Unarmed SPT and Quarterstaff SPT CT: Andrea Robertson Adjudicator: K Jenny Jones Contact:  Andrea Robertson 602-787... 		03/18/2013 View article

The Cinematographer Exercise: An Exercise Introducing Non-contact Blows

EXERCISE DESCRIPTION: After an instructor demonstrates non-contact blows and explains safe distance and depth perception illusions, students are divided into groups of three. One is designated the... 		05/04/2011 View article

They Just Won't Cease and Desist!: The 8th Annual Cinncinati Stage Combat Workshop.

All Photos by Rachel Mock You just can’t stop the Cincinnati fight folks from putting on their annual regional workshop. Last year, the ‘March Madness Stage Combat Workshop’ received a ‘Cease and... 		05/03/2011 View article

Fighting and Dining in Corn Country: A Seattle-ite's overview of the 2011 Lincoln Assasination.

Coming from a small liberal arts college in the Northwest, my SAFD involvement up until recently has been pretty sheltered and my experience mostly academic based…so when a fortunate luck-of-the-draw... 		05/03/2011 View article

A Report from the Virginia Beach Bash 2011

(Editors note: This article originally appeared in Regent University's Theatre Department blog. See the original at http://www.regentbackstage.blogspot.com/ All photos by Craig Lawrence.) The clash... 		05/03/2011 View article

Fighting Across America, 26 days, 3 workshops, 1 Epic Journey

March 23rd, 2011 - 12:30am Amie and I pull onto 8th Avenue in Brooklyn and Dan Granke jumps into the backseat of my car. After he tells us where to go to find parking, he asks us where we started... 		05/03/2011 View article

The Pen is Mightier than the Sword March/April 2011

Greetings from The Cutting Edge! The New Year is off to a brisk start and it will only get brisker in the coming months. Already in 2011 we've had a new governing body, and the start of the ramp up... 		03/02/2011 View article

Governing Body Report March/April 2011

Hello, all! A brief update on all/most/many/SOME things SAFD. First and foremost, Intern and Staff applications for the Nationals are available on the website, here: http://www.safd.org/training/... 		03/02/2011 View article

New Great Lakes Regional Representative

CT Jim Stark has stepped down as the Great Lakes Regional Representative after years of service. CT Adam Noble has stepped up to serve out Jim's term. He offers this statement: I would like to extend... 		03/02/2011 View article

Pacific West Regional Report March/April 2011

CT Andrea Robertson has been busy this new year after returning from spending the holidays in Hawaii.  She is teaching six classes this semester at three different schools in... 		03/02/2011 View article

Northwest Regional Report March/April 2011

FM Geof Alm taught at the 2010 NSCW, co-taught a Fall 2010 Combat/Alexander class with renowned Alexander Technique practitioner Cathy Madden at the University of Washington, and is teaching at... 		03/02/2011 View article

Great Lakes Regional Report March/April 2011

AC Benjamin Colej ust completed a successful weekend of SPRs and stimulating classes at the Winter Wonderland Workshop. Recently, he fight choreographed As You Like It for the Grand Valley... 		03/02/2011 View article

Mid-Atlantic Regional Report March/April 2011

A/C Jayme Wojciechowski will be appearing in May and July 2011 in The War of the Roses: 3 Histories by William Shakespeare. He will appear as John Talbot in Henry VI Part 1&2, Duke of Clarence in... 		03/02/2011 View article

New England Regional Report March/April 2011

Friend Mark Bedell just held a very successful Master Class in Staged Combat at the Maine Academy of Staged Combat.  The class is designed to teach High School and University level Theatre... 		03/02/2011 View article

Southeast Regional Report March/April 2011

AA/C Kevin Inouye is freshly returned from assisting at the Paddy Crean International Stage Combat Workshop in beautiful Banff. He had the honor of teaching several classes there, as well as... 		03/02/2011 View article

5 Non Weapons to have in your Weapons Bag

There is a long running debate over the perfect weapon, even in stage combat. Is it the sword? The sword is a great weapon of speed and agility with both cutting and stabbing attacks. Is it possibly... 		03/02/2011 View article

Fighting Solves Everything! A report from the 2011 Winter Wonderland Workshop.

We weren’t sure going into this year’s workshop how everything would work out. Moving to a new space can be a gamble, however it turned out to be the right one to make. The 16thAnnual Winter... 		03/02/2011 View article

The Pen is Mightier than the Sword

Happy New Year! With the new year comes some fantastic new opportunities. We have a brand new GB, with congratulations to those returning to their offices and those newly elected. Now that they are... 		01/05/2011 View article

Executive Commitee Election Results Certified.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the votes for the Executive Committee of the SAFD Governing Body have been tallied. Certified Teacher H. Russ Brown was elected as the new SAFD Secretary. Current SAFD Vice... 		01/05/2011 View article

Governing Body Report

Several items from Former President/Fight Director Representative Geoff Kent 1) 2011 & 2012 NSCW First we’d like to call attention to the fact that this years workshop will be occurring earlier... 		01/05/2011 View article

Skills Proficiency Test Fees to increase in 2012

SAFD test fees have not been increased since the late 1980's, when our organization was approximately ten years old. As the SAFD approaches our early thirties we have to increase that fees to... 		01/05/2011 View article

A note from the NSCW Coordinator.

Greetings! I hope that the holiday season has left you healthy, wealthy and ready to tackle 2011 with passion, energy and artistry! For me personally, the NSCW has always represented the VERY best... 		01/05/2011 View article

NSCW Scholarship Applications Available Online

This year applications for scholarships to the 2011 NSCW are available online. A variety of scholarships are available. If you are interested in applying please log into the site and complete the... 		01/05/2011 View article

Southwest Regional Report September/October 2010

In July, CT Matthew E. Ellis assisted FM J. Allen Suddeth at the National Workshop’s Advanced Actor/Combatant Certification Workshop.  He recently fight directed two shows in Oklahoma City:... 		01/05/2011 View article

Pacific West Regional Report January/February 2011

AA/C Collin Bressie recently finished directing the violence for a production of Macbeth at California State University Dominguez Hills. He spent last summer assisting a stage combat workshop which... 		01/05/2011 View article

Southeast Regional Report January/February 2011

AA/C Kevin Inouye has had a busy season: moving to Richmond, VA, starting his MFA program in Theatre Pedagogy at VCU (Movement track), Choreographing fights for their first mainstage show Dead Man’s... 		01/05/2011 View article

Northwest Regional Report January/February 2011

CT Jonathan Cole continues to teach SPT classes at Willamette University and the Portland Shakespeare Project. He'll be teaching SPTs in Knife, Rapier and Dagger, and Quarterstaff this spring. He is... 		01/05/2011 View article

Rocky Mountain Regional Report January/February 2011

AAC Benaiah Anderson is currently understudying the roles of Prince John and King Phillip of France in the Arvada Center production of The Lion In Winter. He is also working on the violence in The... 		01/05/2011 View article

Mid-America Regional Report January/February 2011

AAC and Mid-America Regional Representative Danette Baker finished teaching her first ever semester long stage combat class at Wichita State University, assisted by AC Ed Baker. In January she will... 		01/05/2011 View article

Great Lakes Regional Report January/February 2011

Friend Mary Shen Barnidge writes “[FM] Woolley's gonna do puny little fights for Shakes-on-the-Pier's As You Like It.”  She continues to contribute to Moulinet, a newsletter of Chicagoland... 		01/05/2011 View article

Fight Director Michael "MJ" Johnson takes Emeritus Status

Fight Director and Certified Teacher Michael “M.J.” Johnson has assumed emeritus status as of January 1st, 2011. MJ has been involved in stage combat since 1974, but did not start his affiliation... 		01/05/2011 View article

Blood on the Amber Waves of Grain: Carnage in the Corn 2010

Say what you like about the SAFD, we are not an organization lacking in personality. While boring-ness and non-individuality aren’t exactly what you’d expect from an organization comprised mainly of... 		01/05/2011 View article

A Report from the Philidelphia Stage Combat Workshop 2010

The Philadelphia Stage Combat workshop,  aka. “the Cheesesteak”, is one of the older of the regional workshops. It just passed its 11th incarnation this fall at University of the Arts. In those... 		01/05/2011 View article

Links for the Fight Master

Welcome to Links for the Fight Master, our new section which allows you to access online content corresponding to Fight Master articles. This edition corresponds to articles found in the Fall/Winter... 		11/02/2010 View article

The Pen is Mightier than the Sword November/December 2010

Partnering. We've all heard it, and we'll hear about it again. And again. And again. We've been told it's the key to acting. We've been told its the key to stage combat. The more esoteric might... 		11/04/2010 View article

Governing Body Executive Committee Nominees

Here are our nominees for the coming Governing Body elections. The terms for the these elections will begin on January 1, 2011 and end on December 31, 2013. The Elections will begin on November 1rst... 		11/04/2010 View article

Governing Body Report November/December 2010

Friend/AC/AAC Representative Mike Speck: Hello Friends, Actor Combatants, and Advanced Actor Combatants: Just a brief note to remind you of what’s going on in the SAFD. 1. Governing Body elections... 		11/02/2010 View article

Governing Body Elections 2010 Voting instructions.

The following are the instructions on how you can voice your opinion and help direct the future of the SAFD. Please read them carefully and submit your ballot before the deadline.  In order to... 		11/08/2010 View article

Northwest Regional Report November/December 2010

CT Ted deChatelet has been teaching Stage Combat at Western Oregon University and choreographing violence all around Oregon. Recent credits include American Buffalo and The Lying Kind at Third... 		11/02/2010 View article

Great Lakes Regional Report November/December 2010

Friend Mary Shen Barnidge provides a comprehensive view of Chicago-area simulated violence. She reports “House Theatre's Thieves Like Us was developed at DePaul but just opened professionally with... 		11/02/2010 View article

Mid-America Regional Report November/December 2010

AAC and Mid-America Regional Representative Danette Baker choreographed a couple of small fights for Wichita State University’s production of TWELFTH NIGHT which incorporated a few stupid sword... 		11/02/2010 View article

New England Regional Report November/December 2010

CT Angela Bonacasa, after spending 5 weeks at UNCSA covering classes for FM Dale Girard, returned to Maine to direct a successful and well-reviewed production of Harvey.  This spring, she became... 		11/02/2010 View article

Announcing the 2011 National Workshop

Hello colleagues! 2010 turned out to be a fantastic workshop, with over 100 participants and staff working together to create a great workshop, with members of ALL ranks coming together to do what... 		09/03/2011 View article

Throwing Down the Gauntlet(Finding the Best Partnership for Fight Scene Work)

Over the past few years I have written my perspective on the Skills Proficiency Test process.  Earlier this year I thought that my process was complete but then an issue continued to creep up in... 		11/01/2010 View article

Texas Intensive Report 2010

The 7th annual Texas Intensive Stage Combat Workshop held on the campus of the University of Houston was, as Borat would put it, a “great success!” The turnout was great, with about the maximum... 		11/02/2010 View article

Summer Sling Report 2010

“You’ve got to go to the Sling!” Whenever conversation with fellow fighters turned to the regional workshops, inevitably someone would tell me how much I was missing out by never attending the Summer... 		11/02/2010 View article

The Pen is Mightier than the Sword Sept/Oct 2010

This issue of The Cutting Edge is choc-o-block with information and reports on doings and transpirings both recent and imminent. The Governing Body met in June, and A/C and Friend Rep Mike Speck gave... 		09/01/2010 View article

From the SAFD Web Administrator Sept-October 2010

The SAFD web site continues to evolve with the most recent additions of the SPT/SPR online adjudication reporting system and the additional of online FD/CT renewals. These two features represent a... 		09/01/2010 View article

Executive Committee Nominations

Our current Executive Committee will conclude their terms in office on December 31, 2010. This means that nominations for potential candidates to fill these positions are needed no later than 12:00 a... 		11/04/2010 View article

Governing Body Report September/October 2010

Actor Combatant and Friend Representative Mike Speck: Well, the 2010 NSCW has come to a close – and the Spring 2010 Governing Body meeting that preceded it as well.  Here’s a *brief* overview of... 		09/01/2010 View article

Northwest Regional Report September/October 2010

Recently, AC Paul Ray completed and passed his Quarterstaff SPT with FM Geof Alm, representing the completion of eight weapons. Paul organized and choreographed the latest video project for Ty Huffer... 		09/01/2010 View article

Rocky Mountain Regional Report September/October 2010

AAC/CT Michael Mueller is thrilled to be listed among the ranks of the SAFD Certified Teachers. He sends his extreme gratitude to all those who helped make this step possible, including the staff of... 		09/01/2010 View article

Southeast Regional Report September/October 2010

In the fall of 2009 CT Tiza Garland became a Certified Teacher with the British Academy of Stage and Screen Combat. Finishing her written project with the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement... 		09/01/2010 View article

Pacific West Regional Report September/October 2010

Honorary Member Anthony DeLongis reports: Mary and I just got back from a spanish rapier and gypsy fighting knife seminar in Spain with the Maestros Martinez and Sifu James Loriega and immediately... 		09/01/2010 View article

Northeast Regional Report September/October 2010

Friend Chris Cardoni just returned from a vacation that included visits to Jamestown, Yorktown, Colonial Williamsburg, and Washington, DC in which he viewed many weapons of the colonial era. Chris is... 		09/01/2010 View article

East Central Regional Report September/October 2010

AC Dan Granke in addition to taking over Editing duties for TCE, has had a busy summer. He served as head intern for the second consecutive year at Fights 4's Summer Sling workshop. He also served as... 		09/01/2010 View article

Mid-America Regional Report September/October 2010

AAC and Mid-America Regional Rep Danette Baker attended the AACW at the 2010 NSCW where she SPT’d in Single Sword, Quarterstaff and S&S, renewed in Unarmed & Broadsword, and was honored to... 		09/01/2010 View article

Great Lakes Regional Report September/October 2010

FD/CT Jamie Cheatham recently directed and fight directed a production of As You Like It at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, where he is an associate professor and the new Artistic Director of... 		09/01/2010 View article

Fighting at 1/2000th of a Second.

    Most teachers, practitioners, and fight directors worry about a fight in its entirety in terms of its ebb, flow and dynamics within a larger framework (such as a play, television... 		09/01/2010 View article

2010 National Workshop Coverage: Coordinator's Report

A 30th birthday used to be something that was to be feared, rather than cherished. However, this summer proved that 30 years old was nothing of the sort, and another milestone in the brilliant... 		09/01/2010 View article

2010 National Workshop Coverage: A report from the BACSP Workshop

"What’s a 48 year-old High School Drama Teacher with MS doing at the National Stage Combat workshop?" I asked myself that many times over the three weeks filled with fighting. Sometimes with a... 		09/01/2010 View article

2010 National Workshop Coverage: A report from the AACSP Workshop

Before going, there were only two things I had heard about the National Stage Combat Workshop: "it's such a good time," and "you should go."  So I had absolutely no idea what to expect when I... 		09/01/2010 View article

2010 National Workshop Coverage: A report from the TCW

The TCW class gathered in July to spend 3 weeks working hard and studying diligently (with some breaks for food and sleep) together to work on becoming the newest CT’s in the SAFD.  As the 18 of... 		09/01/2010 View article

The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword July/August 2010

Looking back at The Cutting Edge over the past five years I have noticed a theme emerge which I view as a small reflection of the major strength of the SAFD. This theme is our on-going adaptability... 		07/01/2010 View article

Greetings from the new Editor-in-Chief

Friends, It with both pride and trepidation that I take on the role of Editor-in-chief for The Cutting Edge. I take great pride in the quality of this publication and the organization it serves, but... 		07/01/2010 View article

From the SAFD Web Administrator July-August 2010

  The latest challenge for SAFD.org - Skills Proficiency Testing Features In a conversation over coffee one morning, I was talking with a friend about how technology has advanced over the years... 		07/01/2010 View article

Governing Body Report July/August 2010

Elvis has left Las Vegas!   Those of you who joined the SAFD within the last three years you may not be aware that the weapons stock of our organization has been in storage at our home city, Las... 		07/01/2010 View article

Mid America Regional Report July-August 2010

AAC and Mid-America Regional Rep Danette Baker and AC Ed Baker participated in the Seven Devils National Playwrights Conference held in McCall, ID in June, and are attending the Advanced Actor... 		07/01/2010 View article

East Central Regional Report July-August 2010

CT John Bellomo is in Catanzaro, Calabria, Italy at the Officina Teatrale teaching beginner single sword, knife, and unarmed. Next summer, the school is hoping to host a Fight Master to adjudicate an... 		07/01/2010 View article

Southwest Regional Report July-August 2010

CT Matthew E. Ellis directed Live! From the Last Night of My Life by Wayne Rawley at the University of Oklahoma. At the end of the spring semester, his Rapier and Dagger students were adjudicated by... 		07/01/2010 View article

Rocky Mountain Regional Report July-August 2010

AAC Benaiah Anderson has a busy summer ahead of him gathering up the SAFD armory stored in Vegas and helping transport it to North Carolina for cleaning… if only those swords could talk, what stories... 		07/01/2010 View article

Northwest Regional Report July-August 2010

AAC Casey Brown continues to teach acting and physical theatre for Studio-East and will be doing some teaching with Seattle Children’s Theatre this summer. During the spring, Casey traveled to... 		07/01/2010 View article

Lincoln Assassination Report 2010

The myriad of images that appear in my head as I write about this glorious two-day event of loud screams, dramatic deaths, and friendships forged through sweat and potential bloodshed, are diverse... 		07/01/2010 View article

Central Illinois Stage Combat Workshop 2010

Eureka, Illinois: population 4,871. On it’s surface, this sleepy little burg appears to be Anytown, U.S.A. with it’s quaint courthouse square and manicured lawns – a slice of Americana plucked from a... 		01/13/2011 View article

Paddy Crean and The Legend of Old Man's Cave

Editor's Note: The Following article was originally published in the Fight Master. Due to our ability to incorporate video into The Cutting Edge, as well as a few edits the author desired, we have... 		07/01/2010 View article

From the SAFD Web Administrator May-June 2010

The SAFD web project has taken a number of twists, turns, and regrettable delays. There were certainly many reasons for this, but the goal of this project has been to ensure, whenever possible, that... 		04/28/2010 View article

Comic May/June 2010

The Cutting Edge issue comic supplied by Jon Baca.                                       Image reduced... 		04/26/2010 View article

Call For Associate Editors

The Cutting Edge is seeking a new Associate Editor to serve beginning in July 1, 2010. As a bi-monthly publication, The Cutting Edge publishes articles, information, and reports for its growing... 		04/26/2010 View article

The Pen Is Mighter Than The Sword May/June 2010

As our national economy continues to struggle against a global economic recession, the Society of American Fight Directors has been continuing to search for more effective ways to improve the quality... 		04/28/2010 View article

Governing Body Report May/June 2010

It is Tax Season! Longtime SAFD friend and Member Neil Fishman of Fishman Associates is again going over our fiscal claims for 2009 to make sure that our books and records are in order for our... 		04/26/2010 View article

East Central Regional Report May-June 2010

CT/FD Jim Brown taught an Unarmed class at Kutztown University last fall, in which four students were adjudicated and received recommended passes. This class was in addition to directing a... 		04/29/2010 View article

Middle America Regional Report May-June 2010

AAC and Mid-America Regional Rep. Danette Baker was Fight Director for Picnic, which opened in April at Wichita Center for the Arts in Wichita, Kan. and choreographed fights for two high school... 		04/29/2010 View article

New England Regional Report May-June 2010

Friend Mark Bedell will be back in Maine this March 18-23. He will be training the Pirates of the Dark Rose. The crew of the Pirate Ship Must Roos will be in their winter hide-a-way in Rockport,... 		04/29/2010 View article

Northwest Regional Report May-June 2010

Short sharp poky things seem to be all the rage in Eugene, Ore., these days. AAC Bill Hulings has choreographed the violence for Lane Community College's production of Romeo and Juliet, and for the... 		04/29/2010 View article

Rocky Mountain Regional Report May-June 2010

AAC Benaiah Anderson just closed Dead Man’s Cell Phone, in which he played Dwight, and choreographed a kung-fu fight. He is working on Hamlet for the University of Wyoming, and has been hired to... 		04/29/2010 View article

Southeast Regional Report May-June 2010

CT Gregg Lloyd received tenure and promotion to Associate Professor at CNU (Christopher Newport University) where he teaches acting, movement, and stage combat. He was appointed Resident Fight... 		04/29/2010 View article

Southwest Regional Report May-June 2010

AC Kyle Curry, is currently doing the fight choreography and direction for Reasons to be Pretty and Death of a Salesman with the good people at Dallas Theatre Center as well as teaching workshops for... 		04/29/2010 View article

Great Lakes Regional Report May/June 2010

Friend Mary Shen Barnidge reports that  A Gulag Mouse opened in April, with the Babes With Blades performing David Woolley's fights, and that Christopher Walsh did fights for a six-hour non-... 		04/29/2010 View article

Pacific West Regional Report May-June 2010

Honorary Member Anthony De Longis recently wrapped filming the season finally of Justify, called "Bulletville", directed by Adam Arkin. Stunt coordinator Kerry Rossall had him throwing knives into a... 		04/26/2010 View article

Congratulations Teacher Certification Workshop Participants

Congratulations to the following participants on being selected for the 2010 Teacher Certification Workshop. After years of training, educating, and providing service to the Society of American Fight... 		05/02/2010 View article

Announcing the 2010 National Stage Combat Staff

We are pleased to announce the 2010 National Stage Combat Workshop faculty and staff. This year hosts a wonderful lineup of some of the best instructors in the business. To learn more about the staff... 		04/29/2010 View article

Adventures of a Fight Gypsy: March Madness 2010

March Madness! It’s all about basketball, right? WRONG! The real March Madness is a regional stage combat workshop at Northern Kentucky University run by Gina Cerimele-Mechley and company. Held... 		04/29/2010 View article

Virginia Beach Bash 2010

Hello, all! My name is Jenny Male, and I served as Co-Head Intern at the 2010 Virginia Beach Bash. I was asked to write up a report on all-things Bash. Well, here is that report with a twist: it... 		04/29/2010 View article

Announcing the 2010 NSCW Scholarship Recipients

On behalf of the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD), The Cutting Edge would like to congratulate the scholarship recipients for the 2010 National Stage Combat Workshop. The SAFD presents... 		04/29/2010 View article

The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword

It’s been a crazy year so far, between the weather and the economy, but the staff of The Cutting Edge has been working tirelessly to continue to improve your experience as a SAFD member. We... 		03/02/2011 View article

Introducing Our New Regional Representatives

The staff of The Cutting Edge would like to welcome three new regional representatives to the SAFD. Danette Baker will be taking over for Mike Speck inthe Middle America region, Travis Sims will be... 		03/02/2011 View article

So You Want To Know About Gun Safety?

Written by: When Frostburg State University hosted an SAFD Theatrical Firearms Safety Course last Labor Day weekend, AAC’s Cara Rawlings and Marianne Kubik agreed, what better way to spend an... 		03/02/2011 View article

Governing Body Report March/April 2010

Geoffrey Kent - President: Happy 2010. A short note to encourage you to stay tuned to the SAFD website (http://www.safd.org/). We are adding new content and features monthly. Applications to staff... 		03/02/2011 View article

Great Lakes Regional Report March/April 2010

AAC Stephen James Anderson writes that he is in his final year at The Theatre School at DePaul University working towards his MFA in directing. His thesis production of The Three Musketeers will... 		03/02/2011 View article

New England Regional Report March/April 2010

Friend Kevin Gall has been keeping pretty busy since joining the SAFD last May. He taught a class on Theatre Special Effects at a summer camp called Exploration, where he passed on some very basic... 		03/02/2011 View article

Middle America Regional Report March/April 2010

CT Ian Borden is in preparation for the inaugural Lincoln Assassination, April 10-11 in Lincoln, Neb. AAC Karla Kash is the head of musical theatre at Drake University, co-coordinated Carnage in... 		03/02/2011 View article

Northwest Regional Report March/April 2010

FM Emeritus David Boushey was recently granted the "Distinguished Alumni Award" for 2009 at his alma mater Central Washington University in the college of Arts & Humanities. He... 		03/02/2011 View article

Rocky Mountain Regional Report March/April 2010

AC Benaiah Anderson is busy assisting a couple of classes with CT/FD Geoffrey Kent, Unarmed and Singlesword. He has just completed choreography for One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest for The... 		03/02/2011 View article

Southeast Regional Report March/April 2010

FM Dale Girard continues to direct the stage combat program at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA). Along with his busy teaching schedule, Dale has completed staging the... 		03/02/2011 View article

Southwest Regional Report March/April 2010

CT/FD Jack Young directed Hamlet for Promethean Theatre Company (NYC), Hostages for Miscreant Theatre Company (NYC), and The Cherry Orchard for University of Houston PTTP. He is recruiting for... 		03/02/2011 View article

Southeast Regional Report July-August 2010

Greetings from the South East Region! AAC Brian Evans just finished performing Don Adriano de Armado, as well as choreographing the comic fights for Ohio University’s production of Love’s Labour's... 		07/01/2010 View article

Rocky Mountain Regional Report November/December 2010

AAC/Regional Representative Benaiah Anderson just finished working on Marlowe’s Tamburlaine for Colorado State University in Boulder.  Not the best play of the Renaissance, but chock full of... 		11/02/2010 View article

When the Smoke from the Battle Has Cleared

As I began to process the choreographic needs for this show I started to realize both what I had learned and, perhaps more importantly, what I had not learned. Only a handful of theatre artists... 		03/02/2011 View article

Why Gun Fu? Building and Developing a Workshop Class

A friend and mentor of mine once told me you are ready to be a teacher when you stop just teaching as you’ve been taught; when you figure out your own way of presenting the information you... 		03/02/2011 View article

Fighting Solves Everything! Winter Wonderland Workshop Report 2010

This year’s Winter Wonderland Workshop was a tremendous success, especially in the face of a struggling economy. As an assistant coordinator, I was pleased that so many students were able to... 		03/02/2011 View article

Fight Fundamentals - Partnering

The underlying common denominator to all fight rehearsals (and most scene rehearsals, too!) is a partner.  While execution of proper technique may often seem the focus of a stage combat course,... 		11/01/2010 View article