Upcoming National Workshops:

21st Annual Fight Directing & Performance Workshop
Jul. 10, 2023 — Jul. 21, 2023
Southeast Missouri State University – Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Taking place on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University along the edge of the Mississippi River, this workshop provides a training opportunity for BOTH aspiring Fight Directors in the staging and directing of theatrical fights, and an opportunity for Actors to further develop their performance and fighting skills for the stage, film, and television. Daily subject matter will draw from both classical and contemporary material, and examine both dramatic and comedic contexts. Training will be all day beginning on Monday, July 10 and finish on Friday, July 21, including some evenings. Participants will have Sunday July 16 off to rest! Housing in shared suites with full kitchens is available from Sunday July 9th to Saturday July 22nd. Students will also have an opportunity to arrive early and participate a Gun Safety Course on July 8 and 9.

TRAINING FOR DIRECTORS will consist of lectures, demonstrations, daily rehearsal time, and video taping for analysis. Topics to be covered include the following:

Fundamentals of Directing Coaching the Fight Captain Classical Sword Fights
The Business of Directing Methods of Notating Fights Contemporary Violence
Working w/Directors & Prod. Dealing w/Effects & Props Knife Fighting
Working w/Stage Managers Staging Fights in The Round Comedic Fights
Script Analysis Staging Fights Outdoors Directing to Music
Teaching the Fight Staging Proscenium Fights Fights for Camera
Coaching the Actor Staging Group Fights Laban Movement Study

Directing students are required to have prior training in theatrical combat and must submit complete resume with application.

TRAINING FOR THEATRICAL-COMBATANT / PERFORMERS will include:

Daily Rehearsal and Performance of Classical and also Contemporary Scripted Scenes
Theatrical Techniques for Correct use of Traditional Period and Modern Weaponry
Theatrical Techniques used in Unarmed Combat for Stage, Film, and Television

Daily Video Tape Analysis and Critique of Each Day’s Work
Introduction to Laban-Bartenieff Movement Studies
Vocal and Acting techniques for Acting the Fight
Methods of Notating Fight Choreography
Basic Gun Safety for the Theatre
Script and Text analysis
Intro to T’ai Chi

WORKSHOP AND HOUSING FEES

Tuition for Fight Directing Students $1,500.00
Tuition for Theatrical-Combatant-Actors $ 750.00
Housing Fees for All Participants $ 325.00

WORKSHOP INSTRUCTORS:

Gregory Hoffman will be the primary instructor. He is the Founder and Master Instructor of Dueling Arts International, as well as the Founder of True Edge Entertainment. He has been teaching and directing in Dramatic Conservatories, and Theaters in Europe, Asia, and the United States since 1984. Working as an independent filmmaker, theatrical fight director and teacher, movement coach, stunt coordinator, theatrical producer and director, as well as an instructor of T’ai Chi Ch’uan and Laban Movement Studies he is the winner of numerous awards with over 300 professional fight directing credits. A resident fight director and instructor at The American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco for 12 years, Gregory was also a co-founder of the Nordic Stage Fight Society. In 2005 he released “And They Fight”, a 23-hour comprehensive Instructional DVD Series on Theatrical Sword Fighting which he wrote, produced and directed.

Other Instructors to be announced.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR APPLICATION, PAYMENTS AND REFUNDS:

April 1, 2023 – Applications due for both Fight Directors and Actor/Combatants
April 15, 2023 – Notice of acceptance into Workshop.
May 1,, 2023 – A non-refundable deposit of $300.00 is due for Fight Directors, &
A non-refundable deposit of $150.00 is due for Actor Combatants
June 1, 2023 – Balance of remaining fees are due including housing unless other previous arrangements are made.
Please note payments will be preferred by Check though Pay Pal will also be available.
Please also note there will be no refunds of any monies due to your cancellation, except for family or medical emergency after June 1st, 2023.

Fight Directors are required to have prior training and must submit complete Theatrical Combat resume with application. Performers/Actors please note that while preference will be given to applicants with previous training, beginners will also be considered on a space available basis and are very encouraged to apply. All applicants should include resume listing all acting, stage combat experience, and education with your registration form. Fight Directors are also encouraged to bring an Actor / Performer along with them to the workshop. Please note space is limited, and priority will be given to qualified applicants who register first. SO DO APPLY EARLY!

For more info and questions or to apply please e-mail gregory@duelingarts.com

2023 ADVANCED Theatrical Combat Workshop
Jun. 26, 2023 — Jul. 7, 2023
Southeast Missouri State University – Cape Girardeau, Missouri

This Advanced Training Workshop (Level III) will provide intensive advanced training in Theatrical Combat in the primary disciplines of: Unarmed Theatrical Combat, Medieval Broadsword, Rapier & Dagger, Single Rapier, Smallsword and Quarterstaff. The workshop will also provide training in the additional disciplines of Theatrical Martial Arts, Western Knife Fighting, Eastern Knife Fighting, Sword & Shield, Sword & Buckler, Sword & Cloak, Case of Rapiers, Single Sword Swashbuckling, and Fights for Film. Students will be eligible to take the Level III Theatrical Combatant Skills Test in all the disciplines listed above as provided by the Dueling Arts International Training Curriculum. Participants are required to have completed DAI Level II Training or equivalent and / or receive Instructors permission to attend. Participants may also choose to stay two extra days and participate in a Gun Safety Course on July 8 and 9. The Workshop will take place on the campus of Southeast Missouri State, in Cape Girardeau, MO. Daily Training will be from 8:30am to 5pm daily with some evening Master Classes and begin Monday June 26 and conclude in the afternoon of Friday July 7. Sunday, July 2nd will be free for rest and relaxation. Single Room Housing in Shared Dormitory Suites with Full Kitchen Access will be available from Monday June 25 with checkout on Saturday July 8. All Travel arrangements should accommodate these dates. You may fly into St. Louis and be shuttled to Cape Girardeau or fly into Cape Girardeau directly. Space is limited and qualified participants will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis, so do Register Early to reserve your space!

Workshop Fees:
Tuition $1,300.00
Housing $350.00 – From Sunday June 25 to Saturday July 8

A deposit of $250.00 is due with Registration with Balance of fees due by May 15, unless other previous arrangements are made. No Refunds other than for Medical Emergency will be provided after May 15, 2022. Please include history of Stage Combat Training with Registration. Please note all participants will be required to be fully Vaccinated for Covid 19, including any Booster shots in accordance with CDC recommendations as well as abide by any Covid Testing and all other Safety Protocols that the workshop may require.

For Further Information and/or To Register e-mail workshops@duelingarts.com or gregory@duelingarts.com

DAI Summer Theatrical Combat Workshop
July 9 to July 23, 2023
Southeast Missouri State University – Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Beginning Theatrical Combat (Level I) – will provide training in the beginning techniques of Theatrical Combat in the following six discipline of Unarmed Theatrical Combat, Broadsword, Rapier & Dagger, Single Rapier, Smallsword and Quarterstaff. Students who complete the class may be eligible to take the Level I Theatrical Combatant Skills Test in the disciplines listed above as provided by the Dueling Arts International Training Curriculum.

Intermediate Theatrical Combat (Level II) – will provide training in more advance, theatrical combat in the following six disciplines of Contemporary Theatrical Combat, Broadsword, Rapier & Dagger, Single Rapier, Smallsword and Quarterstaff. Students who complete the class may take the Level II Theatrical Combatant Skills Test in the disciplines listed above as provided by the Dueling Arts International training curriculum. Students are required to have successfully completed Dueling Arts Level I Training or have prior consent of Instructors based upon other comparable previous training.

The Workshop will take place on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau right along the edge of the Mississippi River. Daily Training will occur from 9:00am to 5:30pm with some additional evening Master Classes. The Workshop will begin on Sunday July 9 and conclude in the midafternoon of Sunday July 23.  Sunday July 16 will be free to allow time to rest and also explore Cape Girardeau.  Single Room housing in a shared suite with full kitchen access will be available from Saturday July 8 to Sunday July 23 though it may be possible to extend you stay one day if your travel schedule requires this. All Travel arrangements should accommodate these dates as well as the final day of training. You may fly directly into Cape Girardeau or into St. Louis and be shuttled to Cape Girardeau.

Workshop Fees:      Tuition $1,250.00

Housing  $400.00 – From Saturday July 8 to Sunday July 23, 2023  

A non-refundable deposit of $250.00 is due with Registration with the balance of fees due by June 15 unless other previous arrangements are made. No Refunds will be provided after June 15, 2023 except for Family Emergency and Health Related Reasons. Space is limited so do register early!

For Further Information and / or To Register please e-mail workshops@duelingarts.com

Gun Safety Training Course –
Cape Girardeau, Missouri – July 7-8

This course is open to everyone, but is an especially great tag-on for anyone attending either the National Workshop or Advanced Workshop. Learn how to safely handle and perform with theatrical firearms. There will also be the opportunity to test for the SAFD Theatrical Firearms Safety certificate.

For Further Information and / or To Register please e-mail workshops@duelingarts.com

Swords n’ Surf 2023 –
Windward Community College in Kāneʻohe, Hawaiʻi – June 5 – June 17

More information on these workshops coming soon!

* Swords n Surf – Windward Community College, O’ahu, Hawaii – June 5-17 – Level I & Level II Skills Tests

* Level I Teacher Review & Professional Development Workshop – Cape Girardeau, Missouri – July 24-29

View an archive of past workshops here.