wooo hooo!

How I spent my Easter weekend.

Most professional theaters use fight directors to stage fights. The directors themselves monitor themselves through the auspice of the Society of American Fight Directors. This is for the safety of all. Nobody can just jump up and say "hey we can do a fight." There are safety and style to consider.

Ruston Louisiana has hosted for several years a stage combat workshop. This is for actors (or wannabe actors) and instructors, directors or fight choreagraphers. I have been interested in this for a while, so I took a leap and went.

I think I was the oldest student, certainly the oldest "starter" Age though has its advantage, for instance I knew my left from right. My intellect helped to, any break and I wrote things down. Also I knew how to use my body more than some, others, oh boy, young people. Some of them are awesome. I also knew about swords and such.

Introduce yourself..."Hi I'm a director at *small theater*, I'm a theater major, I'm a professional actor out of *city theater*, ..." me "I teach science"

I do not hurt as much as I thought I would. I credit that with the care and stretches and warm ups the instructors did. Some of it was me because I was training for this and had started exercising.

So what did I learn? The simplest broadsword, single sword, unarmed, and rapier and dagger. (and if anybody wants to know what I want for christmas I want a stage combat rapier and dagger set). Also got to handle a whip.

The instructors were good. I enjoyed both as a student and as a person who teaches watching their different styles. Some were more free flow, others structured.

I tried to be a good student, pay attention, supportive of my fellow students, and ask good questions.

My biggest problem was overcoming what I think I knew.