SAFD Stage Combat Classes

For 25 years, Actors Gymnasium has been the top certifying organization of SAFD combat in the Chicagoland area. All course offerings are taught by SAFD Certified Teachers and adjudicated by SAFD adjudicators.

Quotation marks

The Actors Gymnasium is amazing! I’m a new student and the more I learn about the organization, the more impressed I become . . . It is hard to put into words, but the place really does feel like a safe space to grow and learn emotionally, physically, and creatively.

– José Valencia

All levels. No experience necessary.

Financial aid and payment plans are available for everyone.

 

⚔️SAFD Combat

  • Stage Combat: Unarmed Combat

    January 4 - March 8
    Mondays 6:15pm - 9:45pm (in Clown Room)

    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. Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) certification classes offer at least 30 hours of training in a specific weapon with a 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.

    REGISTER

  • Stage Combat: Rapier and Dagger

    January 3 - March 7
    Sundays 10:00am - 1:30pm (in Gym)

    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 and have the opportunity to take the skills proficiency test for the Society of American Fight Directors.

    REGISTER

SAFD Combat FAQs

  • A full refund will be issued for students cancelling prior to the start of the first class session. If cancellation is made prior to the date of the second class session a refund, minus the prorated cost of the first classes, will be issued.

    We do not offer any refunds after the the second class session has taken place.

  • Yes! The last class of each semester will be a testing day. We will have an adjudicator either on Zoom or in-person to adjudicate the end of term scenes.

  • All Combat classes will not be pro-rated for the term. Students will not be able to join after the second class

  • To have enough hours to test at the end of the term, students are able to miss up to 2 classes.

  • Unfortunately, we are unable to allow make-ups for missed classes, as it makes it challenging for us to ensure a safe ratio of students to instructors in each class.

  • No, to keep classes from going over the maximum capacity, we do not offer makeup classes. Please check in with your instructor if you know you will be missing a class to see if there is anything that will need to be made up at another time.

Still have questions? We're here to help! Please feel free to email us at hello@actorsgymnasium.org.