Stage Combat Workshops - Whips & Knives

Riot Act Inc. is thrilled to announce two Stage Combat Workshops taught by Samantha Kaufman. Tuition is $50 for per person for one class or $75 for both.Classes will run Jan. 13 from 11:30am to 1:00pm and Jan. 14 from 11:30am to 1:00pm at Riot Act, Inc.’s Studio in The Center for the Arts. Register on Riot Act’s website www.riotactinc.org/classes/.

Stage combat is the theatrical representation of violence performed during a live performance that focuses on safety and repetition.These classes will focus on combat using knives and whips .Just as a ballet dancer must first learn a tondu or plié before they can perform the Nutcracker an actor too must first learn the basics before they can pick up a sword and play Romeo. Stage combat teaches these basics, such as partnering, timing, communication, distance, and safety.The curriculum will consist of safe, yet theatrically viable weapon fights.

Whip Class– Jan. 13 11:30 am to 1pm

Objective: Learn precision whip techniques

Description: Learn basic whip techniques for the front crack, side crack, and circus crack. Then elevate the goal from making sound to being precise with it. Think Indiana Jones cracking his whip around a branch or Michelle Pfeiffer’s catwoman hitting the mannequins.

Knife Class - Jan 14 11:30 am to 1pm

Objective: Learn a knife flow drill to make fighting with knife more fluid

Description: Great class for beginners in stage combat. Here we will focus on the knife, the “smallest” weapon in the Society of American Fight Directors weapons styles. We will learn a flow drill to expand how we think about knife attacks. Then transfer that new way of thinking into choreographing more impulsive fights.

The classes are offered at a low price of just $50 for one or $75 for both per person. No prior experience required. (Teens and adults only please.)

Samantha (she/her) is an intimacy director, fight director, actor, and teaching artist. She is based in Chicago and works internationally. Samantha is a Certified Intimacy Director, teaching artist, and curriculum developer with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators. A Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors. A Jeff award nominated fight choreographer. An award winning actor. A certified Michael Chekhov teacher with the Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium. She has been a resident artist with Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Prague Shakespeare Company. Regionally, Samantha has worked with theatres such as Lyric Opera of Chicago, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Lookingglass Theatre Company, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Cleveland Play House, among others. She has her MFA from Florida Atlantic University. SamanthaJKaufman.com

Sign up for the class today at www.riotactinc.org/classes/.