22nd Annual Fight Directing & Performance Workshop
May 26, 2025 to June 6, 2025
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, May 26 and finish on Friday June 6 including some evenings. Participants will have Sunday, June 1st off to rest! Housing in shared suites with full kitchens is available from Saturday May 25th to check out on Saturday June 7th.
TRAINING
TRAINING FOR DIRECTORS will consist of lectures, demonstrations, daily rehearsal time, and video taping for analysis and critique. Topics to be covered include the following:
- Fundamentals of Directing
- The Business of Directing
- Working with Directors and Producers
- Working with Stage Managers
- Script Analysis
- Teaching the Fight
- Coaching the Actor
- Coaching the Fight Captain
- Methods of Notating FIghts
- Dealing with Effects and Props
- Staging Fights in the ROund
- Staging Fights Outdoors
- Staging Proscenium Fights
- Staging Group Fights
- Classical Sword Fights
- Contemporary Violence
- Knife Fights
- Comedic FIghts
- Directing to Music
- Fights on Camera
- Laban Movement Study
IMPORTANT! 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 as well as 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
- Vocal and Acting techniques for Acting the Fight
- Introduction to Laban Movement Studies
- Methods of Notating Fight Choreography
- Michael Lugering’s Expressive Actor
- Basic Gun Safety for the Theatre
- Script and Text analysis
- Intro to T’ai Chi
WORKSHOP AND HOUSING FEES
Tuition for Fight Directing Students $1,300.00
Tuition for Theatrical-Combatant-Actors $ 650.00
Housing Fees for All Participants $ 350.00
WORKSHOP INSTRUCTORS
Gregory Hoffman is the Founder and a Master Instructor of Dueling Arts International, as well as the Founder of True Edge Pictures and 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 credits. The resident fight director and instructor at The American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco for 12 years, Gregory is also a founding and honorary member of the Nordic Stage Fight Society. In 2005 he released “And They Fight”, a 23 hour comprehensive Instructional DVD Series on Theatrical Swordfighting which he wrote, produced and directed.
Sean Boyd is a Teaching-Artist, Professional Actor, Fight Instructor & Director, and Movement Specialist. His work focuses on integrated expression and psychophysical exploration in meaning making and crafting character. As an actor, he has appeared in Netflix’s We Have a Ghost, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, the Oscar-winning Dallas Buyer’s Club; as a guest star on AMC’s Preacher, on CW’s Walker: Independence, as well as at numerous regional theatres. Sean has also Fight Directed all across the country including: Sacramento Music Circus, Pittsburgh CLO, and The Nevada Conservatory Theatre, as well as the national tours of Camelot and Cathy Rigby’s Peter Pan. Sean is a Senior Fight Instructor & Fight Director with Dueling Arts International, and serves as an Advisor for DAI’s Governing Body. He is a founding faculty member and Master Teacher for Michael Lugering’s Expressive Actor, a certified yoga teacher, and is a member of SAG/AFTRA, AEA and UK Equity. More at: seancboyd.com
DATES FOR APPLICATION, PAYMENTS AND REFUNDS
April 1, 2025 – Applications due for both Fight Directors and Actor/Combatants
April 7, 2025 – Notice of acceptance into Workshop.
May 1, 2025 – A non-refundable deposit of $400.00 is due for Fight Directors. A non-refundable deposit of $200.00 is due for Actor Combatants
May 15, 2025 – All remaining fees due unless other previous arrangements are made.
There will be NO refunds due to your cancellation, except for medical emergency after 05/15/2025.
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 encouraged to apply. All applicants should include a 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 apply first. SO DO APPLY EARLY!
For more info. and/or questions e-mail gregory@duelingarts.com
Applications should be e-mailed to gregory@duelingarts.com
- Download Application Here
(While not anticipated the workshop is subject to change.)