Stage Combat Classes

Earn certifications through the Society of American Fight Directors.

Our stage combat classes offer at least 30 hours of training in a specific weapon with a Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) certified instructor.

After completing training, students have the opportunity to perform a staged fight in that specific weapon for the instructor and receive a certificate in basic or recommended proficiency.

Quotation marks

[The stage combat classes] really appeal to and engage students at a variety of levels . . . They moves fast, as the instructor is very skilled and a long-time performer.

— S. Meyers

Meet Your Instructor

We’re proud to offer training through SAFD and Vice President Chuck Coyl.

Chuck Coyl headshot

Chuck (he/him) started teaching stage combat for The Actors Gymnasium in 1997. Recent credits include Fight Direction for: August: Osage County, Superior Donuts, The Crucible (Steppenwolf Theatre), Gas For Less, Magnolia (Goodman Theatre), Private Lives (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), Porgy and Bess, Carmen, Tosca (Lyric Opera of Chicago).

Broadway credits include the Tony Award winning production of August: Osage County. Internationally he has staged fights for productions at the National Theatre, London and the Sydney Theatre Company, Sydney, Australia. Film and Television credits include stunt work on Moments in Time, Murder in Greenwich and Eyeborgs.

🤺 Classes

Each semester, we typically offer training in one of the following disciplines:

  • Two students fighting with broadswords

    Broadsword

    Learn to fight in the style seen in the Game of Thrones and Outlander TV series. Particular attention is paid to proper partnering and acting the fight. This class will cover the basics of broadsword stage combat including attacks, defenses, and footwork.

  • Two students fighting with knives

    Knife

    This class will give students the chance to learn the oldest and most visceral weapon style. Attacks, defenses, footwork and performance skills unique to the execution of safe and effective theatrical knife play will be presented. Students will have the opportunity to take the Society of American Fight Directors skills proficiency test in knife at the end of this course.

  • Two students fighting with quarterstaffs

    Quarterstaff

    Come take a class in the style of quarterstaff as seen in Lord of the Rings, Xena: Warrior Princess and Mortal Kombat. This class will cover the basics of staged quarterstaff combat including attacks, defenses, footwork, and more. Particular attention will be paid to proper partnering and acting the fight.

  • Two students fighting with swords

    Single Sword

    Love classic action movies like Errol Flynn’s Robin Hood? Learn single sword, a theatrical style of sword play dating back to the golden age of Hollywood. Single Sword is a theatrical style of sword play dating back to the golden age of Hollywood.

    Featured in the classic swashbuckling great movies of the 30’s and 40’s and modern classics like The Princess Bride. Influenced by modern sabre fencing, this is one of the most useful sword techniques to master. Particular attention will be paid to the safeties required to perform fights as well as how to connect stage combat techniques to text, character and intention.

  • Two students fighting with small swords

    Small Sword

    Requiring a light touch and great precision this quick and beautiful weapon style is considered by many to be the pinnacle of European swordplay. This class will focus on the subtle blade play and footwork that make this weapon unique.

  • Two students fighting with rapiers and daggers

    Rapier & Dagger

    Come take a class in the style of sword play featured in Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, The Three Musketeers, and Cyrano. Students will learn the basics of this theatrical style of double fence.

  • Student hanging on the back of another student

    Unarmed Combat

    This class will cover basic techniques needed to create a safe and effective fight for the stage. Students learn the basics of all aspects of unarmed stage combat, falling, grappling, punches, kicks, etc. Particular attention will be paid to the safeties required to perform fights as well as how to connect stage combat techniques to text, character and intention.

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