Michael Kirkland (pronouns not set)

Professor and Director of Theatre, Department of Media & Performing Arts, Regent University; Coordinator: The Virginia Beach BASH

Michael has been a member of the SAFD since 1990 and a Certified Teacher since 1992, and recently achieved Certified Teacher status in Theatrical Firearms.  He is a member of AEA and SAG (withdrawn), is a full Professor of Theatre and serves as Director of Theater and Head of the MFA in Acting degree program in the Department of Performing Arts and Media at Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA. His teaching specialties include Acting (Meisner), Directing, and Stage Combat. He also serves as On-site Coordinator for the Virginia Beach BASH Stage and Screen Combat Workshop, an SAFD sanctioned regional workshop in residence at Regent University each spring. He has acted, directed, staged fights, and taught all over the US, and recently appeared as the male lead in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival production of Jayson Akridge's THE CONFESSIONAL.  In the UK, Michael has taught and team taught at such prestigious institutions as the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, the Birmingham School of Acting, and MGA Academy of the Performing Arts, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Selected fight direction venues include:  Virginia Stage Company, Houston Shakespeare Festival, Houston Shaw Festival, Houston Grand Opera, University of Utah, Park City Shakespeare Festival, PA Stage, Capitol City Playhouse, New Stage Theatre, Millsaps College, Muhlenberg College, Kutztown University, Hampton University, University of Michigan, Oklahoma University, Virginia Musical Theatre, Shakespeare in the Grove, Virginia Stage Company, Americana Theatre Company in Plymouth, MA, and Beyond Broadway Productions, Edinburgh, Scotland. Michael regularly directs and designs fights at Regent University and for Regent's professional theatre in residence, Tidewater Stage.  In addition to his regular duties at Regent, he freelances as a professional actor, director, and fight director.  Michael lives in Chesapeake, VA, with his wife, actress/costume designer/choreographer CJ Hill, and three precocious pups--Toby, Gemma, and Truffle. 

  • michhil@regent.edu
  • Regent University, AEA,SAG, SAFD, SETC, CITA; Coordinator: Virginia Beach BASH

Skill Proficiency History

Date Weapon Location Grade