Fall Session Classes
This Fall, Stage Combat MN will be offering full-length certification courses in Broadsword as well as Rapier and Dagger. Both courses fulfill the 30-hour minimum requirement for testing through the Society of American Fight Directors. In addition, extra time has been built into the schedule to allow students to fully process the material and maximize their understanding of the work. The SAFD curriculum is focused towards developing fundamental skills and attributes in actors so that they can excel when it comes time to audition and perform theatrical violence. No prior stage combat experience necessary. Each course will culminate in a live performance of scenes with fights that will be adjudicated by a visiting SAFD Fight Master. This is a unique opportunity in arts education to have your work personally critiqued against an international standard.
Class Info
Course Schedule
Class session runs weekends from September 8-December 9 Possibility of cancelled classes the weekend of October 27-28 TBD Sunday Schedule 10:30AM - 2:00PM: Rapier and Dagger Section 1 - THIS SECTION IS FULL 2:30PM - 6:00PM: Broadsword Section 1 - THIS SECTION IS FULL 6:30PM - 10:00PM: Rapier and Dagger Section 2 - THIS SECTION IS FULL Saturday Schedule 12PM - 3:30PM: Broadsword Section 2 - THIS SECTION IS FULL *Enrollment in only one section per weapon is necessary. The additional sections are for maintaining appropriate student-teacher-space ratios Cost Single Course Registration: $350 Double-Course Registration: $650 Non-refundable $50 deposit required to reserve your enrollment spot in each class. Beyond that, flexible payment plans are available. Full class tuition must be paid in full no later than Sunday, December 2. Registration in any course also includes free access to all Saturday Open Gyms. |
Location
MN Karate and Fitness 1085 10th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414 (Enter the door labeled Roskop Construction) |
About the Disciplines
Broadsword - The SAFD recognizes broadsword as a catch-all style of swordfighting with both hands on the weapon. Drawn heavily from historical martial principles found in many cultures, possibly most notably German longsword and Japanese katana, this style is featured throughout western storytelling, from the knights of Shakespeare's histories all the way to science fiction laser swords. This class will get students attuned to moving the weapon effectively and efficiently, engaging the whole body for dynamic storytelling opportunities.
Rapier and Dagger - A classic renaissance pairing, this is commonly in use at renaissance festivals across the country as well as the go-to style for both Romeo and Juliet and, famously, Laertes' favored weapon in his duel with Hamlet. (That's two of his weapons, but, well.) Working with a weapon in each hand of differing length is a challenge central to this style. Tackling it gives the performer tools to fine-tune their distance, play simultaneous objectives, and make sure their entire body is fully at work in the scene.
Instructor Bio
Mike Lubke is a stage combat instructor, performer and violence coordinator based in Minneapolis. He has been studying various armed and unarmed martial forms since he was 7, and has more than a decade's experience adapting that knowledge to the stage. He is the resident fight director for Six Elements Theatre Company, and is the driving mind behind their annual Human Combat Chess show, featuring multiple choreographers working on over 20 fights. He is the owner and operator of the Minnesota Stage Combat Open Gym, the largest regular stage combat gathering in the state. His choreography has graced the stages of multiple local professional theatres, including History Theatre, Theatre Unbound, Children's Theatre, and the Guthrie. In addition to stage work, Mike has coordinated fights and stunts for locally filmed music videos and commercials, and short films. Mike holds a BA in Theatre Arts from the University of Minnesota and is a Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors.
Adjudicator Bio
SAFD Fight Master Richard Ryan is currently the Stunt Coordinator on VIKINGS (Season 6).
Stunt Coordinator Credits include: MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS (opens December 7th 2018)
VIKINGS (Seasons 4 & 5) DAWN, SWORD OF PEACE, BESERK, HAMMER OF THE GODS, IRONCLAD, FAINTHEART and IOS Game INFINITE WARRIOR.
Fight Coordinator credits include: Vikings (Seasons 1, 2 & 3), THE DARK KNIGHT (which won the 2009 SAG Award for best movie stunt ensemble and Best Fight at the Taurus Stunt Awards). SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS and SHERLOCK HOLMES, both directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. THE GOLDEN COMPASS, GULLIVER’S TRAVELS, THE EAGLE, STARDUST, THE LAST LEGION, DRONA, SOLOMON KANE and Fight/Combat consultant on FABLE 2, the follow-up to the best selling X-Box game FABLE.
His first major film was TROY, on which served as Swordmaster. His responsibilities involved developing the fighting styles of the principal characters and choreographing the one-on-one fights. These fights received critical acclaim, particularly the Achilles v Hector duel (Brad Pitt & Eric Bana), which was nominated in the Best Fight category for both the MTV Movie Awards and the Taurus Stunt Awards 2005.
As 'Master-at-Arms' to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) Richard gained extensive experience providing fight training for actors in a multiplicity of weapons systems.
His theatre experience is wide-ranging and he has staged fights for, among others, The Donmar Warehouse including the Broadway transfer of Les Liaisons Dangereuses. The Royal National Theatre, The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Abbey & Peacock Theatres (The National Theatre of Ireland) as well as numerous West End and Regional shows.
Stunt Coordinator Credits include: MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS (opens December 7th 2018)
VIKINGS (Seasons 4 & 5) DAWN, SWORD OF PEACE, BESERK, HAMMER OF THE GODS, IRONCLAD, FAINTHEART and IOS Game INFINITE WARRIOR.
Fight Coordinator credits include: Vikings (Seasons 1, 2 & 3), THE DARK KNIGHT (which won the 2009 SAG Award for best movie stunt ensemble and Best Fight at the Taurus Stunt Awards). SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS and SHERLOCK HOLMES, both directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. THE GOLDEN COMPASS, GULLIVER’S TRAVELS, THE EAGLE, STARDUST, THE LAST LEGION, DRONA, SOLOMON KANE and Fight/Combat consultant on FABLE 2, the follow-up to the best selling X-Box game FABLE.
His first major film was TROY, on which served as Swordmaster. His responsibilities involved developing the fighting styles of the principal characters and choreographing the one-on-one fights. These fights received critical acclaim, particularly the Achilles v Hector duel (Brad Pitt & Eric Bana), which was nominated in the Best Fight category for both the MTV Movie Awards and the Taurus Stunt Awards 2005.
As 'Master-at-Arms' to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) Richard gained extensive experience providing fight training for actors in a multiplicity of weapons systems.
His theatre experience is wide-ranging and he has staged fights for, among others, The Donmar Warehouse including the Broadway transfer of Les Liaisons Dangereuses. The Royal National Theatre, The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Abbey & Peacock Theatres (The National Theatre of Ireland) as well as numerous West End and Regional shows.